(The Center Square) – U.S. Rep. Deborah Ross, D-N.C., continued a months-long criticism of President Donald Trump following his State of the Union address on Tuesday night.
Republicans, as expected, were joyous in support. Cohesion – working across the aisle – is crawling in this 119th Congress, though most has been with recovery from Hurricane Helene with it comes to members of North Carolina’s congressional delegation.
“His ‘plan’ to tackle inflation?” Ross wrote on social media. “He’s been in office for over a month and prices have only increased. His ‘plan’ doesn’t exist, and it never did.”
Since taking her oath in January, Ross has torn into the administration in releases, on social media and in chamber meetings and sessions. She’s hit back on democracy related to Jan. 6, 2021; immigration; discrimination; equality; justice; health care; “fundamental freedoms”; Project 2025; Elon Musk; research jobs lost to Trump’s funding decisions; and tariffs.
Republican Sens. Thom Tillis and Ted Budd disagreed about the first 44 days of the Republican president’s second term.
“Tonight’s speech is about promises made, promises kept,” Budd said. “President Trump doesn’t have to talk about the things he might do in the next several years. He can talk about the things he’s done in a month and a half.”
He pointed to safety for Americans, affordability and prosperity. Budd said illegal border crossings are down 94% from the same time last year.
“We’ve got a lot of mess to uncover and figure out from Joe Biden,” the state’s junior senator said of the former president.
Tillis, facing reelection in 2026 midterms, said he’s standing with Trump and his “bold agenda to turn the page on failed policies.” He also took aim at a Democratic Party which lost not only the White House but the Senate as well.
“Democrats refused to stand to honor a child cancer survivor, a freed hostage from Russia and his 95-year-old mother, and the mother of a homicide victim,” Tillis said. “That says a heck of a lot more about today’s Democratic Party than President Trump.”
Rep. Dr. Greg Murphy went a step further saying, “Democrats proved they have no damn soul when they wouldn’t stand and clap for a young boy with brain cancer. Soulless.”
Rep. Valerie Foushee, D-N.C., “boycotted Trump’s joint address” in person but offered her opinion on it afterward. She said he “continued to spew lies, disinformation, and far-right rhetoric.”
Praise and encouragement were expressed by Republican Reps. Virginia Foxx, Addison McDowell, David Rouzer, Rev. Mark Harris, Richard Hudson, Pat Harrigan, Chuck Edwards, Brad Knott and Tim Moore. Quiet on social media was Democratic Rep. Don Davis.
“Tonight’s joint address is a reminder the Biden-Harris administration crushed the American Dream, but President Trump is renewing it and he’s just getting started,” Hudson said. “The best is yet to come.”
Edwards said Trump has not forgotten the people of western North Carolina and “is doing exactly what the American people demanded by putting America first.”
Democratic Rep. Alma Adams was critical not only of Trump but also the chamber’s sergeant-at-arms for removing Rep. Al Green, D-Texas, while allowing Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene, R-Ga., to remain. Green was removed for “decorum” violation; Greene wore a MAGA hat.
Ross labeled Elon Musk, the leader of the newly created Department of Government Efficiency, “co-president” and said, “Trump’s mass firings have been bad for North Carolinians and bad for our country.” She criticized the tariffs actions by the president, saying they will raise prices Americans rely on.
As for bipartisan work, Rouzer expressed optimism.
“After listening to President Trump’s speech, I remain hopeful he, along with Congress, can work together to accomplish meaningful change for the American people,” he said. “The next four years offer the chance for collaboration on key issues such as economic growth, national security, and restoring American greatness. I believe with a shared commitment to the well-being of our nation, we can find common ground, overcome obstacles, and create a brighter future for all Americans.”
