Rep. Janelle Bynum, D-Ore., called a challenge from President Donald Trump’s 2026 State of the Union address “racist” when he asked listeners to stand if they agreed the U.S. should prioritize the safety of its own citizens over illegal aliens.
“If you agree with this statement, then stand up and show your support,” Trump said.
“The first duty of the American government is to protect American citizens, not illegal aliens.”
Democrats remained seated for over a minute and a half as the Republican side of the chamber burst into prolonged applause.
After the address, Bynum, who is on the National Republican Congressional Committee’s list of vulnerable Dem incumbents, said the moment made her uneasy.
“I think you can agree with the ‘what’ — like standing up for American citizens,” Bynum said. “But I disagree with the ‘how.’
“There’s thinly veiled racist language, anti-immigrant language in what he was asking, and that was uncomfortable.”
Bynum’s office did not immediately respond to a request for comment on how Trump’s challenge had asked lawmakers to discriminate on the basis of race.
Hellbound and Down 