House Speaker’s Invited State Of The Union Guests Send An Unmistakable Message

Lawmakers have long used their invited guests to make a statement at the annual State of the Union address.

When President Joe Biden begins his remarks on Thursday, he will reportedly find a pair of guests who were extended an invitation by House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA).

The first has gained quite a lot of attention in recent months, as reported by Blaze Media:

House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) has invited Riley Gaines as one of his guests to attend the State of the Union address, according to the Daily Wire.

Gaines has been outspoken in pushing back against radical leftist gender ideology, and opposing the practice of allowing males to compete in female sports.

“Riley Gaines is a role model for America’s women and girls, inspiring them to unlock their potential and do the right thing, even when it isn’t popular,” Johnson told the outlet. “I’m grateful to host Riley at the State of the Union and am proud to join her in her efforts to save women’s sports.”

Former collegiate swimmer Riley Gaines, advocate for women's sports, will be speaker Mike Johnson's guest at Biden's State of the Union. Johnson supports Title IX and fights against Biden's proposed changes. https://t.co/uzBc3AMubV

— The America One News (@am1_news) March 7, 2024

Other House Republicans are also using the opportunity to send a message.

For over two centuries we have respected freedom of the press. We must not go backwards by prosecuting Julian Assange.

Tonight, Gabriel will attend the State of the Union with me to bring attention to the injustice dealt to his brother, Julian.https://t.co/OZl8QVhtc3 #FoxNews

— Thomas Massie (@RepThomasMassie) March 7, 2024

I invited Laken Riley’s parents to the State of the Union address, but understandably, they have chosen to stay home as they grieve the loss of their daughter.

Therefore, the seat reserved for my guest will remain vacant to honor Laken and all American victims of illegal alien…

— Rep. Mike Collins (@RepMikeCollins) March 6, 2024

Johnson’s other invited guest has also been an outspoken critic of leftist efforts to force women to compete against biological men.

According to the Daily Wire:

Johnson has also invited Dr. Wayne Lewis Jr., the president of Houghton University, a Christian school in upstate New York.

This month, Lewis fiercely spoke out against men participating in women’s sports. “Biological males’ participation in women’s athletics is wrong,” he wrote. “Most Americans and most of the world know it to be wrong.”

“A fringe agenda under the guise of making school and collegiate athletics more inclusive for transgender people has grown to the place of now unfairly displacing gifted and hardworking female athletes, obliterating the historic achievements and records of female athletes of the past, and threatening to dismantle the opportunities and protections for girls and women in sport trailblazing leaders fought so hard to create and protect,” Lewis added.

Here’s a clip from Riley Gaines’ powerful congressional testimony: