During President Donald Trump’s joint address to Congress, Democratic Representative Shri Thanedar of Michigan was criticized for remaining seated while Trump acknowledged families whose children were tragically raped and murdered by undocumented immigrants.

In a tense interview with Sean Hannity on Fox News, Rep. Thanedar expressed his dissatisfaction with the current administration’s approach to immigration enforcement.

Thanedar explained his actions on “Hannity,” stating, “I did not stand because I was simply fed up with the president.”

Hannity challenged him, saying, “You chose not to stand for families who suffered the loss of their children—a 12-year-old girl, raped and murdered—because you were prioritizing politics over compassion.”

Thanedar stood firm, responding, “I would not stand for this president. I believe he was being dishonest.”

Thanedar claimed Trump was “using a tragedy” for political purposes.

During the speech, Trump honored several young women whom law enforcement says were murdered by illegal immigrants, including Jocelyn Nungaray.

Many Democrats in the chamber remained seated as the families were recognized, including Jocelyn’s mother, Alexis Nungaray, who was in attendance.

Nungaray later described the Democrats’ reaction as “shameful” during a March appearance on “Hannity.”

“I found it very cowardly that a lot of the Democrats didn’t stand, didn’t clap, didn’t do anything to support anything that Donald Trump was trying to do as president to make this country better,” Nungaray said.

“It’s just very disgraceful to us as US citizens that those are the people we have here in Congress.”

During Friday’s segment, Hannity repeatedly pressed Thanedar on whether he had personally contacted families of Americans killed by illegal immigrants. He responded, saying he speaks with his constituents “all the time” and claimed they are being “terrorized by ICE.”

He was pressed on his decision to file articles of impeachment against Trump over the deportation of suspected gang member Kilmar Abrego Garcia and his calls to entirely abolish Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).

Thanedar recently introduced legislation to abolish ICE, calling for the agency to be dismantled entirely. He told reporters he believes “ICE is beyond reform.” 

A press release from his office explains the act as a step toward creating a “more humane approach to immigration policy.”

His comments come as ICE faces intense scrutiny from activists and Democratic leaders following the death of Minneapolis woman Renee Nicole Good during a confrontation with immigration agents earlier this month.