WASHINGTON, D.C. – Democrat lawmakers faced a wave of online backlash after they stayed seated during President Donald Trump’s introduction of the gold medal-winning U.S. men’s Olympic hockey team at Tuesday night’s State of the Union.
Video from the House chamber spread quickly on social media. Soon after, Republicans and conservative commentators accused Democrats of letting their dislike of Trump get in the way of celebrating Team USA. During the speech, Trump praised the team’s overtime win against Canada at the 2026 Winter Olympics. He also invited players to the gallery as a show of national pride.
Republicans stood and clapped loudly. Meanwhile, footage and reports suggested many Democrats remained seated and responded with limited applause. Some people pointed out that a few Democrats did stand. Still, the overall reaction sparked immediate criticism.
“Democrats mostly sat on their hands and couldn’t even cheer for the Team USA men’s hockey team,” Fox News host Sean Hannity said after the speech. Online, critics called it “pathetic” and claimed it showed “Trump derangement syndrome.”
Trump also appeared to nod at the split, even if he did not mention the hockey moment directly. At other points, he challenged Democrats to stand if they agreed with him, including on immigration and the idea that the government’s first job is protecting Americans.
The hockey team scene became one of several flashpoints in a tense State of the Union. The 2026 address ran more than 100 minutes, making it the longest in recent history. It included award presentations, policy pitches, and repeated shots at the opposition.
Past Cases of Democrats Sitting, Protesting, or Withholding Applause During Trump Speeches
Democrats refusing to stand or clap during Trump’s speeches has happened before. In earlier joint addresses and State of the Union events during his second term, the same pattern showed up:
- Democrats often stayed seated during references to border security, economic wins, or crime victims mentioned by the president.
- In one earlier address, some lawmakers did not stand for a crime victim introduced as an example of failed policies on law enforcement and immigration.
- Other protests included signs accusing the president of lying, short walkouts, and occasional heckling that led to removals.
This year, tensions looked even sharper. House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries reportedly urged members to choose “silent defiance” or even skip the event, instead of causing disruptions. Even so, several incidents broke out, including Rep. Al Green (D-Texas) being removed after protesting.
Later, Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer defended Democrats who stayed seated at certain moments. He said it reflected policy disputes, not disrespect for the country.
Sen. John Fetterman Criticizes Democrats Over Boycotts and Conduct
Sen. John Fetterman (D-PA) stood out as one of the few Democrats openly criticizing his party’s approach. He called parts of the behavior “disappointing” and said lawmakers should show respect for the office of the presidency.
Fetterman attended the address and reportedly shook hands with Trump, and he may have been the only Democrat to do so. He also spoke against “yelling and screaming” from some colleagues. Earlier, he warned Democrats not to heckle or use signs, saying those tactics show “no dignity.”
“I don’t care if it’s a Republican or Democrat, it’s a president. Just don’t do that,” Fetterman told Fox News after the speech. He also said he felt sad about the number of Democrats who boycotted the event and went to counter-programming, such as the “People’s State of the Union.”
He also wore a formal suit, which is a change from his usual casual style. Fetterman said he dressed up out of respect for the event, even as some in his party criticized his front-row seat and friendly tone.
Guest of Rep. Ilhan Omar Arrested During the Speech
The night also brought another controversy when U.S. Capitol Police arrested a guest invited by Rep. Ilhan Omar (D-MN).
Aliya Rahman, a Minneapolis resident and U.S. citizen, sat in the House gallery. Police removed her after she stood silently during parts of Trump’s address. Rahman was previously involved in a January incident in Minnesota, when immigration agents forcibly removed her from her vehicle during an enforcement action.
Omar condemned the arrest and called it an overreaction. “My guest stood up silently… For that, she was forcibly removed, despite warning officers about her injured shoulders and ultimately charged with ‘Unlawful Conduct,'” Omar said.
Capitol Police confirmed Rahman faced a misdemeanorcharge for disrupting Congress. Officers also noted that the State of the Union rules ban demonstrations. Reports said Rahman received treatment for injuries, and police booked her after the removal.
Omar argued the response sent a “chilling message about the state of our democracy.” She tied the incident to broader concerns about protest rights and how authorities enforce the rules.
A Divided 2026 State of the Union, and the Politics Around It
The Team USA hockey moment landed in a speech packed with economic claims, immigration enforcement talk, and attacks on Democratic policies. According to voter dial reactions, Independents responded well to the hockey tribute, with approval rising during that segment.
At the same time, the U.S. women’s hockey team, also gold medal winners, did not attend. They declined Trump’s invitation, citing prior commitments. Still, the president said they would visit the White House soon.
Democrats’ actions, including boycotts by dozens of members and competing events outside the chamber, highlighted the deep divide heading into the 2026 midterms. Republicans quickly used the images of seated Democrats to argue the party is out of step with basic national pride.
After the longest State of the Union in decades, the night’s biggest moments may stick around. From lawmakers refusing to stand to a guest being arrested, the evening offered another reminder of how hard bipartisanship looks in today’s Washington.
