In a significant display of political symbolism, several Republican lawmakers invited guests to the State of the Union address to highlight various issues, notably the border crisis and the situation in Cuba. Representatives, including Ashley Hinson, who honored Chief Jeff Brinkley for his 25 years in law enforcement, and Carlos Gimenez, the only Cuban-born congressman, chose law enforcement officials and Cuban dissident Rosa Maria Paya Acevedo to underscore their points. The guests, ranging from sheriffs to border patrol agents, were selected to draw attention to the serious challenges faced by law enforcement and to advocate for keeping Cuba on the State Sponsors of Terrorism list. This move comes amid a broader Republican critique of the Biden administration's policies on immigration and foreign relations, particularly concerning Cuba, highlighted by GOP lawmakers condemning a secret trip by Progressive Caucus members to Cuba and calling for continued hardline policies against the Cuban regime, described as a murderous Communist regime. The GOP's stance was further emphasized in a press conference, with GOP lawmakers and Cuban-American activists criticizing the visit and calling for the continuation of hardline policies against the Cuban regime, citing atrocities committed by the regime.
It was an honor to introduce @SpeakerJohnson to my #SOTU guest #NY21 Border Patrol Agent Brandon Budlong. https://t.co/GkTbLnbNwc
#NY21 Border Patrol Agent Brandon Budlong from Theresa, NY was my guest at last night’s #SOTU where we connected with @ChadFWolf and @RealTomHoman (from Jefferson County in #NY21!). Mr. Budlong, Former DHS Secretary Wolf, and Former Acting Director of ICE Homan all worked to… https://t.co/8GsD2dcspG
Protesters interrupted a press conference on keeping Cuba on the list of state sponsors of terror, which Elvira Salazar said shows the difference between Cuba and the US. | @zach_kessel https://t.co/af9XnGT5SG
These Are The Faces Of Joe Biden’s #SOTUinCrisis “My guest at the State of the Union was NYPD Lieutenant Ben Kurian. He is one of the two officers who were attacked by illegal immigrants…they would not have been in our country, they wouldn’t have been in our city if it was not… https://t.co/MRI8BkMI3a
It is an honor to stand shoulder to shoulder with my esteemed colleague and friend @repcarlos, a true and dedicated patriot, and to collaborate with pro-democracy activist and human rights leader Rosa María Payá, whose father was brutally murdered by the anti-American Communist… https://t.co/wMbsuhUE8A
I joined my Cuban-American colleagues to condemn members of the Congressional Progressive Caucus' secret trip to Cuba. It is imperative Dept. of State maintain the designation of Cuba as a state sponsor of terrorism. We ask our colleagues not to be blinded by ideology, to follow… https://t.co/J5cn30yznU
Grateful to stand with my fellow Cuban colleagues to call on the State Department to keep Cuba on the State Sponsors of Terrorism list. These protesters show us that in the U.S. you are free, but in Cuba they do not get the same rights. https://t.co/1G2n504K7z
This morning I joined my Cuban colleagues @RepMariaSalazar, @MarioDB & @RepCarlos to highlight the atrocities committed by the Communist Cuban regime. The regime jails, beats & murders peaceful protesters & political opponents, harbors terrorists & cop-killers, helped spread… https://t.co/BXjoXBgbol
Activists disrupt GOP press conference held in response to @USProgressives trip to Cuba. @MaElviraSalazar and @MarioDB say Cuba must stay on State Sponsors of Terrorism list, despite no credible evidence Cuba sponsors terrorism. Trump put Cuba on the list. Biden has kept it there https://t.co/h2adZHog83
🚨NEW: Proud to join my colleagues in denouncing the murderous military Castro dictatorship that oppresses the people of #Cuba. https://t.co/gAZygjix9Z
These Are The Faces Of Joe Biden’s #SOTUinCrisis “Because of the lax border policy, because people are not being vetted before they are being admitted into our country, we are definitely seeing the impact of that.”Mason City Police Chief Jeff, Iowa https://t.co/mLpGRKZCnT
Communist sympathizers tried to interrupt my press conference about keeping Cuba on the State Sponsor of Terrorism List. Sadly, I had to explain to them that in Cuba they would throw you in jail for protesting like that. The truth will prevail and Cuban propaganda will NOT win.… https://t.co/BUCDp75sV7
Code Pink protesters interrupting Cuban-American GOP lawmakers’ press conference urging President Biden to keep Cuba on the terror list https://t.co/s7Xw6avkeq
Code Pink activists disrupt Cuba presser, to which @MaElviraSalazar explains that they wouldn’t be able to get this close to lawmakers in Cuba. https://t.co/rLDdUi180Y
Republican Reps. Malliotakis (NY), Gimenez (FL), Salazar, (FL) and Diaz-Balart (FL) are holding a presser this am to condemn a trip some Progressives members took to Cuba Members of the Progressive Caucus quietly traveled to Cuba | Miami Herald https://t.co/MrOO5mADvq
I am honored to be joined by #NY21 Border Patrol Agent Brandon Budlong for Joe Biden's final #SOTU. Mr. Budlong's story is just one of the many being shared by the House Republican Conference tonight. These are the faces of Joe Biden's State of the Union in Crisis.… https://t.co/zc8xlPzUjq
These Are The Faces Of Joe Biden’s #SOTUinCrisis "This Administration created this crisis and they can fix it. But, they refuse to do so." Border Patrol Agent and President of the National Border Patrol Council Local 2724 Brandon of Theresa, New York. https://t.co/rILXMaS8qW
I am honored to have #NY21 Border Patrol Agent Brandon Budlong join me for tonight’s #SOTU address. Mr. Budlong serves on the frontlines of the #BidenBorderInvasion, which has spurred unprecedented illegal crossings on our Northern Border here in Upstate NY. This is Joe Biden’s… https://t.co/Xxlw8HXu0N
I’m honored to host Sheriff Garry McFadden as my guest at tonight’s #StateOfTheUnion address. He’s been a stellar example for Mecklenburg County, building positive relationships between police and young people. He brings people together, just like President Biden does. https://t.co/Qu0quOnVj3
Honored to host U.S. Border Patrol CPA Robert B. Danley, a former MI-09 resident, as my guest to the State of the Union. Michigan is no stranger to border defense & the struggle to defend our homeland. CPA Danley is now stationed at Eagle Pass handling the Biden border crisis. https://t.co/dHXS2X74sw
🚨Thank you @SpeakerJohnson for taking the time to meet with my Guest to the State of The Unión: Cuban freedom fighter Rosa María Payá! Speaker Johnson is fighting back against the far-left, socialist policies that are destroying America. It’s an honor to serve with him! https://t.co/ZTGEuXzmEh
Proud to invite Brown Co. Sheriff Jason Seidl to join me in attending the State of the Union address tonight. Sheriff Seidl has spent more than 3 decades serving in law enforcement and will represent the thousands of officers who work to keep #MN01 safe. https://t.co/SIoGkurOHS
🚨#BREAKING My guest to the State of the Union tonight is Rosa María Payá. Rosa María is a freedom fighter whose father was brutally murdered by the Communist regime in #Cuba. President Biden must listen to her story & keep Cuba on the List of State Sponsors of Terrorism. https://t.co/TCPDrmGi9i
Pleased to announce that Brandon Judd, President of the National Border Patrol Council, will be my guest at this year’s State of the Union address. Washington partisans may have decided to move on from the border crisis, but in AZ, we don’t have that luxury.… https://t.co/TUYDLmiHY5
I’m honored to welcome Bladen County Sheriff Jim McVicker as my guest for the State of the Union. 🇺🇸 NC might not be a border state, but we are experiencing the impacts. President Biden must listen to those on the front lines and work to keep America safe. #SOTU2024 https://t.co/qxf0MbA08b
🚨My guest to the State of the Union is Rosa María Payá, a freedom fighter & opposition leader against the murderous Communist regime in #Cuba. https://t.co/CMsM3fCDkZ
It's an honor to welcome #NYPD Lt. Ben Kurian, Officer Zunxu Tian and their wives to the Capitol for tonight's #StateOfTheUnion. Sadly these officers were attacked by individuals who should not have been in our city, but were given parole by President Biden. https://t.co/xSMBva0gYM
.@NYPDMTS Lt. Ben Kurian & PO Zunxu Tian were attacked by illegal migrants for simply wearing the uniform. Tonight, they will join @SpeakerJohnson @RepMalliotakis & I at the #SOTU. Began day @NLEOMF, placing a wreath in honor of our fallen brothers & sisters. #FidelisAdMortem https://t.co/thzIc1YIDr
🚨🗞️ My guest to the State of the Union is @RosaMariaPaya. Rosa María is a freedom fighter against the Communist tyranny in #Cuba. The very same regime forced me from my homeland as a child. Rosa María embodies the spirit of liberty that fuels my community in South Florida.
Rep. Carlos Gimenez, R-Florida, the only Cuban-born congressman, is bringing Cuban dissident Rosa Maria Paya Acevedo. https://t.co/vjNCp9D0Ba
I’m glad to be joined by Broome County Sheriff Fred Akshar at Biden’s State of the Union address today. We’ll be drawing attention to serious challenges law enforcement face and the need to do more to strengthen public safety. https://t.co/gYnYEgYLnz
Honored to have Chief Jeff Brinkley join me for the #SOTU. He's served in law enforcement for 25 years & is dedicated to the safety of our communities. Together, we're highlighting the impact of the border crisis in Iowa & ensuring law enforcement's perspective is front & center! https://t.co/WTnQ628e6z
Honored to have you at the State of the Union, Sheriff. https://t.co/CuNzEIDxc9