OAN Staff Sophia Flores and Abril Elfi
12:40 PM – Wednesday, February 25, 2026
The mother of Ukrainian refugee Iryna Zarutska, who was murdered by a repeat offender out on no-cash bail in North Carolina, appeared tearful at the State of the Union (SOTU) address as she was recognized by President Donald Trump.
President Trump recounted the attack during his SOTU address as Iryna’s mother, Anna Zarutska, whom he introduced as someone who has “been through hell,” broke down in tears.
Anna Zarutska, mother of Iryna Zarutska, a 23-year-old Ukrainian refugee who was stabbed three times and killed on August 22, 2025, while commuting on a Charlotte light rail train in North Carolina.
— The White House (@WhiteHouse) February 25, 2026
Iryna had come to the U.S. seeking safety and a new life, only for her life to… pic.twitter.com/yoNUDnVFd8
The president explained that Zarutska came to the United States to flee war-torn Ukraine and live with relatives near Charlotte, North Carolina, in hopes of building a life free from terror.
Her dreams were shattered on August 22, 2025, when a “deranged monster who had been arrested over a dozen times and released through no cash bail stood up and viciously slashed a knife through [Iryna’s] neck and body.”
“No one will ever forget, the people on that train. No one will ever forget the expression of terror on Iryna’s face as she looked up at her attacker in the last seconds of her life. She died instantly,” Trump said. “She had escaped a brutal war only to be slain by a hardened criminal, set free to kill in America.”
“Mrs. Zarutska, tonight I promise you that we will ensure justice for your magnificent daughter, Iryna,” the president assured Anna.
.@POTUS: “Mrs. Zarutska, tonight I promise you we will ensure justice for your magnificent daughter, Iryna.”
— U.S. Department of Justice (@TheJusticeDept) February 25, 2026
The Justice Department is prosecuting Iryna’s killer, who was only out on the streets because of soft-on-crime policies. pic.twitter.com/bKM3qdE0ah
As Trump spoke and urged Congress to pass stricter legislation targeting repeat offenders, he questioned the Democrats in the audience who remained seated, asking, “How do you not stand?”
Democrats REFUSED to stand when Trump called for JUSTICE for Iryna Zarutska after she was needlessly m*rdered by a career criminal in North Carolina.
— Libs of TikTok (@libsoftiktok) February 25, 2026
Why do Democrats love criminals so much? pic.twitter.com/t5jBkaUwyb
Anna was comforted by Erika Kirk, widow of Turning Point USA (TPUSA) founder Charlie Kirk, during the emotional moment. She was seen putting her hand on the distraught mother’s shoulder and speaking to her quietly.
Trump then recognized Erika, his personal guest he invited to the SOTU. He credited her late husband for the rise in religious participation among young people.
“So last year, Charlie was violently murdered by an assassin and martyred for his beliefs. His wonderful wife Erika is with us tonight,” Trump said.
She began to tear up and blot her face as the president continued saying, “You’ve been through a lot.”
“In Charlie’s memory we must come together to reaffirm that America is nation is under one God, and we must totally reject pollical violence of any kind,” Trump stated.
President Trump: "There has been a tremendous renewal in religion, faith, Christianity...a big part of that had to do with my great friend Charlie Kirk. Great guy, great man."
— One America News (@OANN) February 25, 2026
Watch OAN on Spectrum and YouTube TV for live coverage of the SOTU. pic.twitter.com/IUACRqGKkc
Stay informed! Receive breaking news alerts directly to your inbox for free. Subscribe here. https://www.oann.com/alerts
What do YOU think? Click here to jump to the comments!
