President Donald Trump surprised a military spouse attending the annual State of the Union address in the nation’s capital with her two kids Tuesday night by bringing her husband home from deployment overseas to attend the speech.
“War places a heavy burden on our nation’s extraordinary military families, especially spouses like Amy Williams from Fort Bragg, North Carolina and her two children,” Trump said. “Amy works full-time and volunteers’ countless hours helping other military families. For the past seven months she has done it all while her husband Sergeant First Class Townsend Williams is in Afghanistan on his fourth deployment.”
The president continued, noting that the children had not see their father in months while he has been away overseas.
“Amy, your family’s sacrifice makes it possible for all of our families to live in safety and in peace… But Amy, there is one more thing. Tonight we have a very special surprise. I am thrilled to inform you that your husband is back from deployment. He is with us here tonight, and we couldn’t keep him waiting any longer,” Trump said.
The president surprises Amy Williams from Fort Bragg, North Carolina, with the early homecoming of her husband Sergeant First Class Townsend Williams from Afghanistan.
Their two children are also in attendance. pic.twitter.com/Qz4QCY5UIG
— Norah O'Donnell 🇺🇸 (@NorahODonnell) February 5, 2020
The introduction was followed by “USA” chants coming from lawmakers on the House floor in one of the rare moments of the evening when members in both parties offered a standing ovation.
Trump’s speech comes amid the president’s highest approval rating since taking office in 2017. According to Gallup, 49 percent of Americans now approve of the way Trump is handling his job in the White House. President Obama’s approval rating was only at 46 percent at the same point in his presidency in 2012.
Trump’s annual address also comes the day before the president is expected to be acquitted in the impeachment trial by the Senate.
