As usual during a State of the Union address, President Donald Trump warmly invited several guests to attend the joint session speech on Tuesday night. This time, some of those guests received honors and deep gratitude from the president on behalf of the American people.
Among them was WV National Guard Staff Sgt. Andrew Wolfe.
As RedState wrote earlier, near the opening of the formal address, Pres. Trump awarded Connor Hellebuyck, the phenomenal goaltender for the 2026 Winter Olympics Gold medalists, Team USA men’s hockey team, the highest civilian honor the United States can bestow, the Presidential Medal of Freedom
READ MORE: WATCH: Trump Announces He’s Awarding the Presidential Medal of Freedom to Olympic Hockey Hero
Readers might remember when, in late November 2025, two federalized National Guardsmen, tasked by Pres. Trump to help secure citizens’ safety in our nation’s capital, were ambushed during a terror sttack by an radical Islamist Afghan national. One of them was killed, and the other clung to life :
As RedState previously wrote, the alleged shooter faces one count of first-degree murder; assault with intent to kill while armed; possession of a firearm; and possession of a firearm during a crime of violence, after killing 20-year-old Spc. Sarah Beckstrom and critically wounding 24-year-old Staff Sgt. Andrew Wolfe.
We have heard positive updates over recent months about Wolfe, including his being able to give medical staffers a “thumbs up,” and regaining some minor movement in his toes.
On Tuesday, the Guardsman was well enough to appear in person for the SOTU in the House chamber:
— Dan McLaughlin (@baseballcrank) February 25, 2026
While standing without aid, embracing his mother,Wolfe was awarded the Purple Heart by the commander in chief.
The president also awarded Sarah Beckstrom posthumously, praising her selfless service to the country:
“After a four-month deployment, she voluntarily extended her service, and her rank was going to be lifted. She was doing so well. They were so proud of her,” Trump said of Beckstrom.
— Dan McLaughlin (@baseballcrank) February 25, 2026
Watch:
WATCH: President Trump acknowledges West Virginia National Guardsman Andrew Wolfe at the #SOTU and announces he will given the Purple Heart for what he went through the day before Thanksgiving when he was shot by an radical Islamist at a D.C. metro station
Wonder if any… pic.twitter.com/epOLqrUf1W
— Curtis Houck (@CurtisHouck) February 25, 2026
Trump said:
With God’s help, Andrew has bounced back from the edge of death…On his way back to a miraculous recovery, he’s got a little work to do, but he’s doing great…Nice to see you, Andrew, thank you very much.
He continued:
Andew, now that you’re up, I’m going to ask a highly-respected general…to present Staff Sgt. Andrew Wolfe, and the great family of Sarah Beckstrom, with the award created by our late, great president, George Washington hmself. It’s called the Purple Heart.
It’s shameful that we can’t be sure how many Democrats showed their respect for the Guardsmen’s actions by standing and applauding, too.
— Dan McLaughlin (@baseballcrank) February 25, 2026
Just over a week after the D.C. attacks, President Trump shared an amazing update with an audience during a speech, recounting a phone call they had:
“And his mother’s named Monica. And Monica’s the most positive person I’ve ever seen…And today, I got a call that…[i]’s amazing…Andrew stood up today, and people can’t even believe it, so… let’s hope it continues.”
And as the Wolfe family recently told Fox News, he continues to make a miraculous recovery, possibly even 100 percent:
AMEN‼️ National Guard Staff Sgt. Andrew Wolfe’s recovery is going GREAT after being shot by an Afghan national in DC.
“He will make a 100% recovery!”
God is GREAT! 🙌🏼 pic.twitter.com/DfaH9Jnejd
— Hunter Eagleman™ (@Hunter_Eagleman) February 6, 2026
Thank God for that. And may God continue to bless our servicemembers as they make the hardest sacrifices to keep our nation safe and free.
Editor’s Note: With President Trump back in the White House, the state of our Union is strong once again.
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