‘What a Difference a Year Makes’: Wyoming Delegation Praises Trump’s State of the Union

Wyoming’s congressional Republicans praised President Trump’s Tuesday State of the Union address, lauding his first year back in office as a stark improvement over the Biden administration. State Democrats countered that the year has been divisive and disastrous for working families.

Sen. John Barrasso, the second-highest ranking Senate Republican, summed up the GOP sentiment: “What a difference a year makes. The president was able to report that America is back on track.”

Trump’s 1-hour, 47-minute address—the longest in modern history—touted what he called a recovery from immigration and economic “disaster” under Biden. He highlighted falling inflation, lower crime, border security, and what he termed “American energy dominance.” The speech included surprise Medal of Honor awards and multiple callouts to the nation’s 250th anniversary.

Rep. Harriet Hageman called the speech “electrifying,” saying Trump’s administration is delivering “real wins for Wyoming from resource development and affordability to free speech and border security.”

Sen. Cynthia Lummis brought Cheyenne resident Troy Lake as her guest. Lake, a diesel mechanic imprisoned under Biden for disabling emissions devices, was pardoned by Trump after Lummis pushed for clemency. “His story captures the difference between this administration and the last better than anything else could,” Lummis said.

The Wyoming Democratic Party offered a starkly different view, calling the speech “a display of division” that mocked and shamed political opponents rather than addressing challenges facing working families. “Leadership is not yelling, ‘You should be ashamed’ at more than half the country,” the party said in a statement.

The speech was punctuated by partisan divisions in the chamber, with Democrats largely seated while Republicans delivered standing ovations. At one point, Reps. Ilhan Omar, D-Minn., and Rashida Tlaib, D-Mich., shouted at Trump over immigration policies. Trump clapped back, saying Democrats should be “ashamed” for opposing border security.

Barrasso dismissed the criticism, saying Republicans have “promised safety and prosperity for our nation, and we’ve delivered. The border is now secure. Gasoline prices are at a five-year low.”