Trump Calls Out Charlotte in Longest State of the Union Address

President highlights case of Ukrainian immigrant killed in light rail attack during 1-hour, 48-minute speech.

Published on Feb. 25, 2026

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In his record-breaking 2026 State of the Union address, President Donald Trump specifically mentioned the case of Iryna Zarutska, a Ukrainian immigrant who was killed in a brutal stabbing attack on a Charlotte light rail train in August 2025. Trump introduced Zarutska's mother to the audience and decried the release of the alleged perpetrator on no-cash bail, calling for legislation to keep violent repeat offenders behind bars.

Why it matters

The president's remarks on the Zarutska case highlight ongoing concerns about public safety and criminal justice reform, particularly in the context of immigration and the treatment of vulnerable populations. Charlotte's light rail system has faced scrutiny over security issues, and the city has grappled with rising violent crime rates in recent years.

The details

During his 1-hour, 48-minute State of the Union address, the longest in U.S. history, Trump introduced the audience to Iryna Zarutska's mother. Zarutska, a Ukrainian immigrant, was killed in a seemingly unprovoked stabbing attack on a Charlotte light rail train in August 2025. The alleged perpetrator, DeCarlos Brown Jr., had been arrested over a dozen times and was released on no-cash bail prior to the incident.

  • Iryna Zarutska was killed on August 22, 2025.
  • President Trump delivered the State of the Union address on February 25, 2026.

The players

President Donald Trump

The 45th President of the United States, who delivered the record-breaking State of the Union address.

Iryna Zarutska

A Ukrainian immigrant who was killed in a brutal stabbing attack on a Charlotte light rail train in August 2025.

DeCarlos Brown Jr.

The alleged perpetrator of the attack on Iryna Zarutska, who had been arrested over a dozen times and was released on no-cash bail prior to the incident.

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What they’re saying

“In 2022, she and her beautiful daughter ... Iryna fled war-torn Ukraine to live with relatives near Charlotte, North Carolina. And by the way, what's going on with Charlotte?”

— President Donald Trump (wbtv.com)

“Iryna was riding home on the train when a deranged monster, who had been arrested over a dozen times and was released through no-cash bail, stood up and viciously slashed a knife through her neck and body. 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.”

— President Donald Trump (wbtv.com)

“She had escaped a brutal war only to be slain by a hardened criminal set free to kill in America. Ms. Zarutska, tonight I promise you we will secure justice for your magnificent daughter.”

— President Donald Trump (wbtv.com)

What’s next

The judge in DeCarlos Brown Jr.'s case will decide on Tuesday whether or not to allow him out on bail.

The takeaway

This case highlights ongoing concerns about public safety, criminal justice reform, and the treatment of vulnerable immigrant populations in the United States. It also raises questions about security measures on Charlotte's light rail system and the city's efforts to address rising violent crime rates.