Eli Crane Condemns Democrats for Their SOTU Response

Representative Eli Crane (R-AZ) condemned Democrats' refusal to stand up during a portion of President Donald Trump's State of the Union address this week.

During his record-length address, President Trump invited lawmakers to show their commitment to "a fundamental principle." "If you agree with this statement, then stand up and show your support: The first duty of the American government is to protect American citizens, not illegal aliens," the president charged.

All Republicans in the audience stood and applauded. None of the Democrats did.

In response to the issue, Rep. Crane took to social media to share his grievances, writing, "Last night, President Trump invited members of BOTH parties to stand up for the simple statement that the first duty of the American government is to protect American citizens, not illegal aliens. Democrats refused to stand. Don't believe me? Check it out for yourself," with the footage of the moment.

The State of the Union address was fraught with Democrats disrupting the speech, as Representative Al Green (D-TX) held up a sign that read "Black People Aren't Apes!" before being escorted out shortly after the speech began.

Additionally, when Trump condemned the alleged Minnesota welfare fraud scandal and Democrats' alleged lack of action in confronting it, the president said, "You should be ashamed."

Representative Ilhan Omar (D-MN) shouted back, "You should be ashamed!," while Representative Rashida Tlaib (D-MI) added that Trump "killed Americans," referencing the two fatal shootings of anti-ICE activists in Minneapolis.

Rep. Crane had previously excoriated Democrats for having an anti-deportation stance in a House Homeland Security hearing earlier in February. The Arizona Republican accused Democrats of wanting illegal aliens to fraudulently vote in elections to maintain political power.

"If the American people do not understand what this whole thing is about, it is about one word, it always has been, and that is power," the Arizona congressman said. "They want power, and they need these illegals to vote in our elections. That is why they do not care about the fraud either, because they need those votes as well."