The House chamber exploded in cheers after a heart warming surprise during President Donald J. Trump’s first joint address to Congress. Devarjaye “DJ” Daniel, a 13-year-old in the audience diagnosed with brain cancer, was honored with a one-of-a-kind distinction.
On Tuesday (March 4), Secret Service Director Sean Curran swore DJ in as an honorary agent during the president’s speech. “I was not expecting it. Nobody even told us [it was going to happen],” DJ later told Fox News. And as you can expect, many Americans were just as surprised and warmed by the beautiful experience.
On X, @LindaLeeTarver wrote, “The most touching photo of the evening. The Secret Service Director gently hugs this sweet boy, DJ Daniels.” @shuwaskiyoung agreed saying “Devarjaye “DJ” Daniel’s moment was beautiful. Regardless of your political party, this was DJ’s dream. We should all stand up for him.”
Since he was diagnosed in 2018, DJ has had 13 different brain surgeries, he said. He’s always wanted to be in law enforcement, so the Secret Service honor is likely one he’ll always remember. But while all of this was happening on the Republican side of the aisle, the Democrats on the other side sat in silent protest to Trump and his administration.
@PPreacaRN called out democrats for refusing to clap or stand during DJ’s honor. “The fact that the @TheDemocrats in the audience refused to stand and applaud this brave kid shows that democrats do no care for sick children or for blacks,” they said. “This attitude from the democrats was beyond despicable.”
Another user, @TLDWrestling, called the Democrats “heartless.” While @bryandaw said “This is one of many moments they should’ve united the divided Congress.”
Other folks had criticism for the president after saying he “used” the boy as a political pawn. @_AmethystMoon wrote “Using a black child with cancer to boost optics while cutting childhood cancer research and scrapping research papers involving black people.”
Within the past 50 days, Trump has banned DEI at the federal level, cut spending for cancer research, and slashed key agencies which regulate cancer causing chemicals. One user, @BigErn158, even referenced Trump’s attacks on DEI saying “I thought DEI was over?”
@ByMattHiggins asked “Wait, did he just expand the federal workforce?” after Trump and DOGE cut the federal workforce drastically.
“I have a lot of anger about this,” @hello_jaime started. “Cancer survivors are NOT your political props. We are not here so people will feel sorry for us when we’re sick and then be inspired by us if we make it saying it’s ‘gods plan’ or whatever.”