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.

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PALM BEACH, Florida – A serious security incident took place early Sunday morning, February 22, at President Donald Trump’s Mar-a-Lago resort. U.S. Secret Service agents, working with Palm Beach County deputies, fatally shot 21-year-old Austin Tucker Martin of Cameron, North Carolina.

Officials say Martin crossed into a secure area while carrying a shotgun and a fuel can, which triggered an immediate law enforcement response. At the time, President Trump and First Lady Melania Trump were in Washington, D.C., at the White House, so they were not at risk.

The shooting adds to ongoing concerns about security tied to the president, after assassination attempts reported in 2024. Investigators are still working to understand what drove the breach, and the FBI is leading the case. Officials have described the event as an unauthorized entry that turned into a possible threat.

Who Was Austin Tucker Martin?

Austin Tucker Martin was 21 and lived in Moore County, North Carolina. Family members and people who knew him described him as quiet and creative, and they said they were unaware of any violent past or political extremism.

• Life in Cameron: Martin lived with his parents and older brother in Cameron, a small town with a population of about 244, based on the 2020 Census. He had finished high school and recently started a small art business that focused on hand-drawn golf course artwork.
• What relatives said: Family members described him as calm and non-aggressive. His cousin, Braeden Fields, told reporters Martin “doesn’t even know how to use a gun. He’s never used a gun.” Fields also said Martin didn’t show much interest in politics and never seemed drawn to weapons or extreme views.
• Home and community reaction: Public records list him at a four-bedroom, ranch-style home. Neighbors in the area said they felt stunned by the news, especially since his family reported him missing only hours before the incident.

The family reported Martin missing to Moore County authorities around the same period as the breach. Some reports say he may have traveled south and obtained the shotgun along the way. The Moore County Sheriff’s Office has not reported any known criminal history for him.

What Happened at Mar-a-Lago

Authorities say the incident happened shortly after 1:30 a.m. Security spotted someone entering the inner perimeter near the north gate as another vehicle was leaving.

• Two U.S. Secret Service agents and a Palm Beach County sheriff’s deputy confronted Martin.
• Officials say he had what appeared to be a shotgun and a gas can (fuel can).
• Officers ordered him to drop the items.
• Sheriff Ric Bradshaw said Martin put the gas can down, but then raised the shotgun into a “shooting position.”
• The agents and deputy fired, and Martin died at the scene.
• No officers were hurt.
• Investigators later found a weapon box in Martin’s vehicle.

The Secret Service said agents acted to protect the secured area. Since Trump was not at Mar-a-Lago, no protectees were directly threatened.

Family Reaction: Grief and Confusion

Relatives spoke publicly in the hours after the shooting and said they could not understand how the situation happened.

• Braeden Fields told several outlets, including ABC affiliate WTVD, that Martin’s actions didn’t match who he was. Fields said he was “shocked” and described Martin as gentle and inexperienced around guns.
• The family began searching after reporting him missing on February 21 or early February 22, and they did not know he had traveled to Florida.
• Neighbors in Moore County said the news hit hard, since the family had recently asked for help finding him.
• Public comments from his parents have been limited so far, but relatives have described deep grief and confusion.

Investigators are also looking into possible mental health issues or other personal factors, since relatives say his behavior did not fit the usual pattern of political threats.

What the FBI and Secret Service Have Said

Federal and local officials moved quickly to confirm the shooting and explain the response.

• Secret Service spokesman Anthony Guglielmi said agents and a local deputy shot an intruder after he presented an immediate threat.
• The agency said no protectees were on the property, and officers contained the breach quickly.
• The FBI is leading the investigation and publicly identified Martin, while noting that details remain limited during the active case.
• The FBI National Press Office said agents are building a psychological profile and asked nearby residents to check security video that could help.
• Sheriff Bradshaw described the timeline in a press briefing and said officers fired only after Martin raised his weapon.

For now, investigators have not confirmed ties to any broader plot or organized group. As the FBI and Secret Service continue their review, the death of Austin Tucker Martin, a young artist from rural North Carolina, leaves painful questions about what changed so quickly and how a security response ended in tragedy.

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TEL AVIV – A fast-moving dispute has split parts of the American right after political commentator Tucker Carlson said Israeli security officials at Ben Gurion International Airport detained him and members of his production crew. Carlson said the airport incident happened soon after he filmed a tense interview with U.S. Ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee on February 18, 2026.

Carlson, who often criticizes U.S. foreign policy and continued military and financial support for Israel, called the encounter “bizarre” and hinted it may have been political. Israeli officials, along with Huckabee, rejected that framing and said the interaction followed normal security steps and was handled privately.

The Alleged Incident at Ben Gurion Airport

Carlson said he flew to Israel to record an interview with Huckabee inside the airport. He also said he never left the Ben Gurion complex before boarding a private flight out. In comments shared with outlets including The Daily Mail and The New York Post, Carlson claimed:

• Airport staff took passports from him and his team.
• His executive producer was taken into a separate room.
• Security officers questioned them about the Huckabee interview, including “what we spoke to Ambassador Huckabee about.”

He described the experience as out of the ordinary and suggested it may have been a response to his tough questions during the interview. Later, in a follow-up video posted on his own platform, Carlson repeated the claim and said producers got “the third degree.” He also said officials held their passports while asking about the conversation topics and their political views.

Israeli officials disputed Carlson’s account and offered a different version:

• The Israel Airports Authority (IAA) said Carlson and his group “were not detained, delayed, or interrogated.”
• The authority said staff “politely asked a few routine questions,” consistent with standard procedures used for many travelers.
• According to the IAA, the conversation took place in a VIP lounge for privacy, not as punishment.

On social media, Ambassador Huckabee backed that explanation. He said passport checks and security questions are common for people arriving in or leaving Israel.

Meanwhile, security footage circulated online and spread quickly. The clips show Carlson smiling, signing documents, posing for photos with airport staff, and hugging an employee. Critics say those images clash with the idea of a hostile detention.

Backlash from Pro-Israel Factions

Tucker Carlson’s story triggered a sharp reaction from pro-Israel voices across social media and the press. Many accused him of stretching the facts or making the situation sound worse to stir anti-Israel sentiment.

• Former Israeli Prime Minister Naftali Bennett insulted Carlson and accused him of inventing the harassment claim after only a short airport stop.
• Pro-Israel groups and commentators pointed to the episode as another example of what they call Carlson’s ongoing hostility toward Israel.
• Outlets such as The Jerusalem Post and Times of Israel highlighted the footage and argued it undercuts the “detention” storyline, with some calling the controversy a publicity play.

The argument also revived older claims that Carlson promotes antisemitic ideas, especially because he regularly challenges U.S. aid and support for Israel’s military actions. Critics often cite:

• His comment described Christian Zionism as a “brain virus.”
• His interviews with figures accused of antisemitism.
• He claims that pro-Israel lobbying groups have undue influence in U.S. politics.

In late 2025, one advocacy group labeled Carlson its “Antisemite of the Year” after he criticized Israel’s actions in Gaza and drew attention to AIPAC’s role in Washington. Carlson has rejected the label and says his views come from “America First” politics, not prejudice.

The Contentious Huckabee Interview

The airport dispute soon took over the news cycle, but it was also tied directly to the interview itself, which came out shortly after the travel incident. During the more than two-hour conversation, Carlson pressed Huckabee on several topics, including:

• U.S. military aid to Israel during ongoing conflicts
• Religious arguments used to support territorial claims
• Treatment of Christians in the region
• Risks of wider escalation in the Middle East, including with Iran

At one point, Carlson challenged Huckabee over whether he places Israel’s interests above America’s. That exchange turned heated. Huckabee defended strong, consistent U.S. backing for Israel, while Carlson argued that the alliance can drain resources and pull the United States into conflicts it doesn’t need.

The discussion also put a spotlight on a growing split within Republican and conservative circles over Israel policy. In that debate, Carlson often represents a more isolationist camp that distrusts foreign commitments.

Tucker Carlson’s Evolving Stance on Israel

Carlson has long opposed open-ended U.S. involvement overseas. Since leaving Fox News, he has sharpened his focus on Israel-related topics, including:

• The scale of U.S. aid, which he has described as funding Israel’s “war machine.”
• The influence of lobbying groups on U.S. lawmakers
• Arguments about divided loyalties and how U.S. leaders set foreign policy priorities

Supporters say these are fair questions about spending and alliances. On the other hand, critics say parts of his framing echo old antisemitic themes, especially when he hints at hidden control or undue influence.

Because of that history, the airport claims poured gasoline on an already tense fight. Pro-Israel critics argue Carlson played the victim to attack Israel, while his allies say the backlash proves powerful interests try to shut down dissent.

Reactions and Implications

Online reaction split along familiar lines:

• Pro-Palestinian and anti-intervention users praised Carlson for pushing hard questions.
• Pro-Israel commentators mocked the “detention” claim as routine screening and said he lied.

Overall, the episode shows how divided American conservatives have become on foreign policy, especially when Israel and U.S. aid come up. Carlson still reaches a huge audience, so these clashes keep shaping how people talk about alliances, military support, and political influence.

So far, neither Carlson nor Israeli officials have signaled additional steps. Still, the dispute has reopened scrutiny of Carlson’s rhetoric and where Americans draw the line between criticizing Israel and crossing into prejudice.

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