Photos: Loudest political fashion statements at the State of the Union
President Biden delivered his State of the Union address before a joint session of Congress Thursday night, wearing a classic dark blue suit and light blue tie.
In the event watched by millions of Americans nationwide, many lawmakers took the chance to make bolder statements with their clothing.
Here are the five most memorable fashion moments.
‘Border crisis’ pins
Some GOP lawmakers wore large red pins that criticized Biden’s handling of the southern border. One pin read “Stop the Biden border crisis,” while others included pictures of Laken Riley, the Georgia college student who, according to police, was killed by a man who illegally crossed the border.
In one of the most heated parts of the night, Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-Ga.) yelled, “It’s about Laken Riley,” and other Republicans shouted, “Say her name,” while Biden was discussing the border situation.
Biden held up a pin Greene had given him while he walked into the chamber that read, “Say her name Laken Riley,” while he addressed the congresswoman from the dais.
“Laken Riley, an innocent young woman who was killed by an illegal,” he said. “To her parents I say my heart goes out to you having lost children myself. I understand.”
The president was criticized by immigrant advocates and some within his own party for using the term “illegal” to describe a person.
Wearing white for reproductive rights
Viewers could see a sea of white clothing on one side of the chamber, with many House Democrats choosing to wear “suffragette white” in support of reproductive rights.
“We are standing up for your right to make your own health care decisions including abortion,” Rep. Kathy Castor (D-Fla.) posted on X, formerly Twitter, before Biden’s speech with a picture of a large group of House Democratic women standing together.
Keffiyehs for a cease-fire
Some progressive House Democrats wore keffiyehs, a patterned Arab headdress that has become a symbol of solidarity with Palestinians.
The scarfs are part of an ongoing effort by some Democratic lawmakers to urge Biden to facilitate a cease-fire. Reps. Cori Bush (D-Mo.) and Rashida Tlaib (D-Mich.) also held up signs that read “Lasting Ceasefire Now” during Biden’s speech.
Bold accessories for Trump
Although Biden never mentioned him by name, former President Trump was a recurring topic in the president’s State of the Union speech — and he showed up on the clothes of some of his biggest supporters in Congress.
Greene wore a “Make America Great Again” hat signed by Trump while Rep. Troy Nehls (R-Texas) sported a T-shirt with Trump’s mug shot. The shirt read “Never Surrender!” and was paired with an American flag bow tie and black jacket.
Yellow and blue for Ukraine
Rep. Bill Pascrell (D-N.J.) wore a Ukrainian flag draped around his shoulders to the State of the Union address in support of the country that has been in a two-year-long war with Russia.
Biden called for more military support of Ukraine during his speech and specifically called out Russian President Vladimir Putin in an attack meant to contrast him with Trump.
House GOP leaders largely say they support Ukraine, but they have refused to move a $60 billion funding request for the country over border demands.
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