He proclaimed Feb. 22 as “National Angel Family Day.”
By Catholics for Catholics
President Donald Trump designated Feb. 22 as “National Angel Family Day,” while the relatives of victims who were murdered showed their support for his anti-illegal immigration actions.
“I’ll never forget them,” Trump said of the victims after their family members spoke at the White House. “I don’t know how long I’ll be around — a lot of people gunning for me.”
Trump signed a proclamation document after talking about his plans for a lengthy State of the Union speech Tuesday night.
“It’s going to be a long speech, because we have so much to talk about,” Trump said.
Two years ago, Laken Riley was brutally murdered while jogging on a college campus by a criminal illegal alien who should NOT have been in this country.
— The White House (@WhiteHouse) February 23, 2026
President Trump remembers her and all Angel Families, by proclaiming February 22nd as National Angel Family Day. pic.twitter.com/tqltmu5MF3
According to ABC News Channel 8, Trump signed a proclamation declaring February 22 as “Angel Family Day” to honor two survivors and 62 people killed by illegal migrants. Trump chose the date in honor of Laken Riley, who was slain by an illegal migrant on February 22, 2024.
“We’re willing to tell the story that the news doesn’t want to hear, the Democrats don’t want to hear,” Trump said. “We want to stop murderers and criminals from coming into our country.”
“Americans like Laken, and Grant, and Javier, and Joshua, Rocky, Rachel, Kayla. These are great people, and I’ll never forget them,” Trump said. “I just think you’re among the most brave people.”
“We’re putting American citizens first, we’re defending American lives, and we’re fighting for every Angel Family,” Trump said, when reading a letter sent to him by two grandparents whose 8-year-old granddaughter was hit and killed by an illegal migrant.
“On National Angel Family Day, we remember and honor the thousands of American lives stolen from us by criminal illegal aliens and the deadly drugs they bring across our borders. We stand with the Angel Families, many of whom continue to be left without justice. And we recommit to carrying out the largest mass-deportation effort in our Nation’s history, getting the worst of the worst out of our country, and putting a stop to the violence targeting the brave men and women of law enforcement,” a portion of the proclamation read.
MOVING MOMENT: Laken Riley's mother, Allyson, delivers incredible remarks honoring her daughter & thanking President Trump ❤️
— The White House (@WhiteHouse) February 23, 2026
"This could be any family… I'm beyond blessed and thankful that you're honoring not just Laken, because she's one in a ton of people that have suffered… pic.twitter.com/gEXEqO4DEm
The 22-year-old Georgia nursing student was out jogging when she was murdered by Venezuelan national Jose Ibarra, who was convicted of Riley’s death.
Riley’s death prompted Republicans in Congress to work for the Laken Riley Act, which Trump signed into law in January 2025 as the first bill of his second term. The act requires the federal detention of illegal migrants arrested for things like burglary or theft.
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