If you ever needed confirmation that our political condition in America is fractured look no further than President Donald J. Trump's recent State of the Union address.
Although not spoken by him I can summarize his speech by simply saying, "The state of our union is broken due to the Democrats hatred of me and my administration."
I have witnessed States of the Union addresses dating back to January of 1980 with President Jimmy Carter reporting that American hostages remain in Iran and Russia was poised for an invasion of Afghanistan. In his speech he proclaimed he would not support sending an Olympic team to compete in Moscow. Now I understand unanimity regarding threats to national defense and bringing home American hostages. Both sides, Republicans and Democrats, applauded his statements including priorities to resolve pressing national issues.
However, the decision to boycott the 1980 Moscow Summer Olympics was controversial then and remains so today. The debate about the possible U.S. boycott was heated and animated with American opinion divided. So you can imagine what the reaction was in the 1980 joint session of congress.
Brace yourself.
It was respectful.
Yes, respectful. I know for some of the younger generations this word may be lost on you when contemplating current political conditions.
In those moments, and throughout Carter's speech, there was bilateral support and if there were points of disagreement and opposition you wouldn't really be able to tell because congressmen comported themselves befitting their roles and positions. They are sitting representatives of the United States of America and come hell or high water they were gonna act that way.
Fast forward to today.
Here are two of the statements that elicited boorish response from Democrats in attendance. And, yes, I mean attendance since over 50 Democrats boycotted the president and his State of the Union address. Yet again another demonstration of disrespect and, well, immaturity.
Oh, right, statements.
"When I last spoke in this chamber 12 months ago, I had just inherited a nation in crisis. Today, our border is secure, our spirit is restored, inflation is plummeting, incomes are rising fast, the economy is roaring, our enemies are scared, our military and police are stacked, and America is respected again — perhaps like never before."
- Disagree? Ok, but would you hold signs stating the president is a liar? Be careful now because lying is a provocative word. For example, the average U.S. rate of inflation from January 2021 to January 2025 was 4.95% under President Biden. The average U.S. rate of inflation from January 2025 to January 2026 under President Trump was 2.5%. (usinflationcalculator.com).
- Illegal border crossings, or migrant encounters at the U.S.-Mexico border, dropped to the lowest levels in more than 50 years by late 2025 (roughly 238,000 for FY2025), a significant decline from the record high of over 2.4 million Southwest border encounters in FY2023. As of early 2026, daily apprehensions remain at historic lows.
- Other claims can be verified or negated and that happens with any president at any time. And the data above is encounters not actual illegals entering the US.
"The Somali pirates who ransacked Minnesota remind us that there are large parts of the world where bribery, corruption, and lawlessness are the norm, not the exception. Importing these cultures through unrestricted immigration and open borders brings those problems right here, to the USA – and it is the American people who pay the price, in higher medical bills, car insurance rates, rent, taxes, and perhaps most importantly, crime. We will take care of this problem."
- The statements made in regard to the Minnesota fraud case by the president can be viewed as harsh. So what? If you're offended, grow some thicker skin. What ever happened to "sticks and stones may break my bones but words will never hurt me?" Exactly.
- The fraud investigations so far reveal a potential of billions of dollars bilked from American taxpayers. However, The primary Minnesota fraud case, centered around the nonprofit Feeding Our Future, involves approximately $250 million to over $300 million in federal funds intended for child nutrition programs that were stolen. As of February 2026, 79 people have been charged in this specific scheme, with over 50 pleading guilty.
- The other aspect to the fallout of major fraud cases in Minnesota are concurrent investigations now in California. If you're in opposition to the Trump administration launching investigations, I would expect the same critical eye is employed in future Democrat administrations.
I stated earlier that if you wanted confirmation that our political condition in America is fractured then look no further than the State of the Union address.
Perhaps the most unsettling aspect is the vitriol that was spewed by democrat congressional members that was galvanized by actions and not words.
The sitting on hands.
When you agree with a president and support a comment it's traditional that you rise in applause regardless of party.
The most impactful demonstration of the great divide between parties occurred when President Trump shared stories regarding illegal immigration:
"And yesterday, as you probably saw at the White House, I hosted a ceremony with Americans who lost their treasured loved ones to the scourge of illegal immigration. People came into our country — how we allowed this to happen with our open borders. These are the Angel Moms and Families that for decades our government betrayed and our media totally ignored — totally.
"It was terrible, hard to believe actually. In 2023, a 16-year-old high school cheerleader named Lizbeth Medina was supposed to perform in her town's Christmas parade, but she never arrived. Her mother Jacqueline went home to look for her and she found her lying dead in a bathtub bleeding profusely after being stabbed 25 times.
"Lizbeth's killer was a previously arrested illegal alien who had broken in and brutally — just brutally extinguished the brightest light in her family's life, violently and viciously. Her heartbroken mother is in the gallery to remind everyone in this chamber exactly why we are deporting illegal alien criminals from our country at record numbers and we're getting them the hell out of here fast.
"We don't want them."
Then the president asked this question.
"One of the great things about the State of the Union is how it gives Americans the chance to see clearly what their Representatives really believe.
"So, tonight, I'm inviting every legislator to join along 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 resounding applause as GOP members jumped to their feet in affirmation was the loudest and most sustained ovation of the evening.
President Trump acknowledged the raucous response and smiled. He then turned his attention to the Democrat side.
Crickets.
Hand sitting.
The camera captured images of democrat lawmakers sitting in cold silence. Expressionless. Seemingly indifferent. Other angles showed some who were agitated and scowling projecting their opposition to exactly what the president proposed.
They sat and glared as the applause continued with chants of "U.S.A." One very simple political position that the Legislative and Executive branches could agree upon, right?
No.
That one moment was an opportunity to stand in unity assuring the citizens of our nation that despite our differences we can affirm our allegiance to their citizenship, to their lives and that we collectively put America first.
Nope.
The president truly looked incredulous. He cocked his head at an angle looking at the seated and surly democrat members communicating a "No, really?" non-verbal message.
That was followed by an abject look of disappoint as he said,
"Isn't that a shame? You should be ashamed of yourself, not standing up. You should be ashamed of yourself. That is why I'm also asking you to end deadly sanctuary cities that protect the criminals and enact serious penalties for public officials who block the removal of criminal aliens, in many cases, drug lords, murderers all over our country."
It was the most amazing yet unsettling political moment.
And it confirms that our political nation is truly divided.
This counterproductive and borderline inertia ridden representation by leaders who have sworn an oath to serve this nation are succumbing to harmful partisanship.
If we don't fix and repair this broken foundation, we will no longer be able to claim the United States is the greatest nation on Earth.
Stop sitting on your hands, stop the playground bullying and get to it.
