President Donald Trump met this afternoon with the everyday Americans he and his wife invited to attend his State of the Union address and sit with the first lady in her box in the gallery of the House of Representatives.
Among them were Immigration and Customs Enforcement agent CJ Martinez, a 15-year veteran of the Homeland Security Investigations unit. Martinez aided in the arrests of 100 MS-13 gang members.
The president and first lady are also welcoming Elizabeth Alvarado, Robert Mickens, Evelyn Rodriguez, and Freddy Cuevas – the parents of two young girls, Nisa Mickens and Kayla Cuevas, who were murdered by MS-13.
President Donald Trump met this afternoon with the everyday Americans he and his wife invited to attend his State of the Union address. Among Immigration and Customs Enforcement agent CJ Martinez, a 15-year veteran of the Homeland Security Investigations unit
Cpl Matthew Bradford, a veteran who lost both of his legs after stepping on an IED in Iraq will be in the first lady’s box. Shrapnel entered his eyes and blinded him. The president’s youngest guest, 12-year-old Preston Sharp, is responsible for the placement of more than 40,000 American flags and red carnations on veterans’ graves
The president and first lady are also welcoming Elizabeth Alvarado, Robert Mickens, Evelyn Rodriguez, and Freddy Cuevas – the parents of two young girls, Nisa Mickens and Kayla Cuevas, who were murdered by MS-13
Trump’s youngest guest, 12-year-old Preston Sharp, is responsible for the placement of more than 40,000 American flags and red carnations on veterans’ graves, like his late grandfather.
Representing the armed services is Cpl Matthew Bradford, a veteran who lost both of his legs after stepping on an IED in Iraq. Shrapnel entered his eyes and blinded him, but Bradford re-enlisted, making him the first double blind amputee to serve.
All of Trump’s children, with the exception or Barron, his youngest, will be present for the speech and so will the first lady.
The list of presidential guests sitting alongside Melania Trump in her box include first responders, service members and small business owners and employees who have benefited from the president’s tax cut.
Kellyanne Conway, senior counselor to the president, told Fox News on Tuesday, ‘The first lady’s put together a wonderful group of guests tonight.’
‘Some of these individuals’ stories are heroic, some are patriotic, others are tragic,’ White House Press Secretary Sarah Sanders said at her Monday briefing. ‘But all of them represent the unbreakable American spirit, and will inspire our nation to continue growing stronger, prouder, and more prosperous.’
Trump has beneficiaries of his tax cut plan coming in a nod to his priorities.
Corey Adams, a blue-collar worker, and his wife, bought their first home in 2017. The White House said Tuesday that the family would put their savings into their two daughters’ education funds.
Adams works at Staub Manufacturing Solutions in Ohio. Sibling owners Steve Staub and Sandy Keplinger are also attending tonight’s address.
The small business grew from 23 to 37 employees since Trump took office, the White House said, and all of them received larger than usual Christmas bonuses because of the GOP’s tax reform legislation.
Another guest, Jon Bridgers, is the founder of the Cajun Navy 2016, a non-profit organization that conducts search and rescue missions. The group helped thousands of victims of Hurricane Harvey.
Fire prevention technician David Dahlberg is also being recognized for saving lives in 2017. He helped 62 children and adults escape a wildfire that encircled a camp in California last summer.
United States Coast Guard aviation electronics technician Ashlee Leppert is likewise being thanked by the president and first family for her heroics last year during hurricane season. Leppert is credited with lifting a woman and four children to safety in a basket.
Ryan Holets, a police officer, and his wife are being honored by the president for their contribution to the battle against opioid addiction. They adopted a child from opioid addicts.