During his lengthy address to Congress on Tuesday night, President Trump blended solemn tributes with a flair for showmanship, as he acknowledged guests in the House chamber and showered them with praise.
Devarjaye Daniel, a 13-year-old who was diagnosed with brain cancer in 2018, and was invited to the speech as a guest, came dressed as an officer from the Houston Police Department. Devarjaye, known as D.J. has been on a yearslong quest to be sworn in as an honorary police officer in as many places as possible as he undergoes treatments and surgeries.
Describing D.J. as “a young man who truly loves our police,” Mr. Trump announced that he would give him “the biggest honor of them all,” making him an agent of the U.S. Secret Service.
Sean Curran, the director of the Secret Service, handed D.J. a badge as the audience applauded and chanted his name. D.J. embraced Mr. Curran, and the two exchanged words for a few moments as the crowd cheered.
Another invited guest was Alexis Nungaray, the mother of Jocelyn Nungaray — a 12-year-old girl from Houston who was murdered last year. Mr. Trump acknowledged Ms. Nungaray in his speech, and assailed the Venezuelan migrants charged in her murder as “savages” and “illegal alien monsters.”
Mr. Trump then announced that he had renamed a national wildlife refuge east of Houston in memory of Jocelyn, who he said loved animals and nature.
Mr. Trump also recognized a third guest, Jason Hartley, who Mr. Trump said had descended from generations of military service members. Jason’s father, a Los Angeles County sheriff’s deputy, had died, and Mr. Trump said, Jason wanted to carry on the family’s legacy of military service.
“His greatest dream is to attend the U.S. Military Academy at West Point,” Mr. Trump said. “And, Jason, that’s a very big deal getting in. That’s a hard one to get into.”
“But,” Mr. Trump said, “ I’m pleased to inform you that your application has been accepted. You will soon be joining the corps of cadets.”
As the crowd whistled and cheered on Mr. Hartley, D.J., the newly minted Secret Service agent, tapped him on the shoulder and gave him a high-five.
