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By Brigette Gabriel, ACT for America – February 26, 2026
| If there was one moment from President Trump’s State of the Union address that cut through the political theater like a knife, it was this: In a bold challenge to the entire chamber, Trump laid down a simple, unassailable truth. “So tonight, I’m inviting every legislator to join with my administration in reaffirming 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 response? Republicans leaped to their feet in thunderous applause, united in their commitment to America first. Democrats? They sat stone-faced, silent as tombs, refusing to budge. No surprise there—but oh, what a damning revelation. This wasn’t just partisan posturing; it was a raw exposure of hearts devoid of loyalty to the very people they claim to represent. How could anyone—let alone elected officials sworn to uphold our Constitution—refuse to stand for prioritizing American lives over those who break our laws to enter? This shouldn’t be divisive. It should be the bedrock of our nation: Americans first, always. Yet there they sat, smug in their silence, sending a crystal-clear message to every voter who put them in power. If you’re one of those voters, pause and reflect—do you really want leaders who can’t even muster the decency to declare that our government owes its allegiance to you, not to lawbreakers flooding our borders? Their inaction screams volumes: They care more about virtue-signaling to global elites than shielding the families they’ve betrayed. And betrayed they have. For years, Democrats’ obsession with open borders has unleashed hell on innocent Americans. Families shattered forever by senseless violence—loved ones murdered by illegal immigrants who never should have been here. Women raped and assaulted in broad daylight by those who crossed unchecked. Communities poisoned by deadly drugs smuggled across a formerly porous border, claiming sons, daughters, brothers, and sisters in a fentanyl-fueled epidemic that’s killed more Americans than some wars. These aren’t abstract statistics; they’re real people, real grief, real blood on the hands of policies that prioritize foreigners over citizens. Thank God President Trump slammed the door shut on this madness. His administration’s tough stance—building walls, enforcing laws, and deporting threats—has saved countless lives. But where’s the outrage from the left for the victims? Where’s the compassion for Angel Families, those heartbroken parents and spouses who’ve lost everything to preventable crimes? |
Just days before the SOTU, on February 22nd, Trump hosted a poignant event honoring these very families. Amid wrenching testimonies of loss and needless tragedy, he signed a proclamation declaring the day “National Angel Family Day”—a long-overdue tribute to the forgotten victims of lax borders. Stories poured out: A mother weeping for her daughter, slain by an illegal immigrant with a rap sheet a mile long. A father demanding justice for his son, cut down in his prime. These are the voices that should haunt every lawmaker’s conscience.
Yet, while this event unfolded with raw emotion and unbreakable resolve, mainstream media outlets turned a blind eye. This is no accident—it’s a pattern of deliberate neglect. They downplay the carnage of illegal immigration, mass migration, and open borders because it exposes the failure of their agenda. They refuse to credit Trump for policies that work, for borders that are finally secure. And worst of all, they deny airtime to American victims, treating their pain as inconvenient to the narrative of “compassion” for everyone except our own.
The picture couldn’t be clearer: One side fights tirelessly for Americans, shedding tears with the bereaved and vowing “never again.” The other? They sit idly, unmoved, condemning our people to more suffering through their inaction and excuses. How can they claim to represent us when they won’t even stand for us?
This betrayal must end. Demand better from your leaders. Hold them accountable for every life lost, every family torn apart. Legislators can show they truly prioritize the safety and lives of Americans by passing legislation that puts real actions behind their words on border security and public safety. One such critical piece of legislation is Kate’s Law (the Stop Illegal Reentry Act), which imposes stronger penalties on individuals—especially those with criminal histories—who illegally reenter the United States after deportation, helping to deter repeat offenders and prevent tragedies like the one that claimed Kate Steinle’s life.
If you support this vital measure and want to help get it across the finish line, make your voice heard today! Use ACT for America’s easy constituent outreach tool by clicking the “ACT NOW” button below. This will allow you to quickly contact your Senators and Representative, send a pre-drafted message, and urge them to vote for Kate’s Law to deliver real deterrence and protect American families. Your action matters—click “ACT NOW” below and tell your legislators to act!
