WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today, ahead of President Donald J. Trump’s 2026 State of the Union address before Congress and the American people, Independent Women issued the following statements of support, highlighting a transformative first year marked by economic growth, deregulation, border security, strength abroad, energy abundance, transparency in health care, commitment to the rule of law, protection of women’s rights, and expanded opportunities for American families:
Carrie Lukas, Independent Women president:
“The first year of the Trump administration has been a game changer, showing how much is possible when someone is committed to getting the job done. 2026 will be just as pivotal if this administration continues to cut wasteful spending, devolve power from Washington, and return resources and opportunity to the American people.”
May Mailman, Independent Women’s Law Center director and former White House senior advisor:
“Americans were amazed to see the historic pace of change during President Trump’s first year in office, in making our nation safer, more prosperous, and more democratic. Tomorrow night is a victory lap, and clearly shows this president intends to keep up his momentum.”
Beth Parlato, senior legal counsel of Independent Women:
“President Trump has renewed the nation’s commitment to the rule of law, constitutional governance, and the protection of women’s rights. We look forward to hearing continued resolve to defend sex-based rights, parental authority, and strong families. These priorities must be rooted in the Constitution and upheld by judges who interpret, not rewrite, the law.”
Patrice Onwuka, director of Independent Women’s Center for Economic Opportunity:
“President Trump has a great story to tell on the economy: wages are outpacing inflation, prices have slowed, the labor market stabilized, and economic growth has been strong—even in the face of a partisan government shutdown. His pro-growth economic agenda of deregulation and tax cuts staved off the recession that many economic experts predicted. 2026 promises to bring an economic boom as the One Big, Beautiful Bill is felt in every household. The tax cuts are already delivering large refunds, raising take-home pay, and empowering families to save for their futures.”
Meaghan Mobbs, director of Independent Women’s Center for American Safety and Security:
“Over the past year, illegal crossings collapsed to record lows, more than 2.5 million illegal immigrants were removed, violent crime fell at historic rates, cartels were designated as terrorists, Maduro was captured, shadow fleets were disrupted, and a Gaza ceasefire was secured. President Trump’s first year was defined by enforcement at home and strength abroad. We hope President Trump continues demonstrating that same strength—finally pressing Putin toward a just peace and confronting the long-term threat posed by Iran.
Gabriella Hoffman, director of Independent Women’s Center for Energy and Conservation:
“Over the past year, the Trump administration has succeeded with unleashing energy abundance without harming the environment. From repealing the 2009 endangerment finding to increasing production to conserving public lands, our Center applauds the actions taken by President Trump to make us a global energy leader.”
Dr. Monique Yohanan, senior fellow for health policy at Independent Women:
“President Trump has made transparency the through-line in health care—calling out ultra-processed foods, focusing vaccine policy on what’s truly essential, and demanding real price disclosure upfront. The next step is to build on that momentum—make transparency permanent and keep Americans in control of their health and their dollars.”
Kaylee McGhee White, IW Features editor-in-chief:
“President Trump’s first year in office has proved this administration is committed to elevating the voices of everyday Americans who too often are ignored by the Washington, D.C., establishment. On everything from trade to immigration to radical gender ideology, President Trump has taken action to address Americans’ concerns and implement policies that work for them.”
Neeraja Deshpande, Independent Women policy analyst and IW Features senior contributor:
“This past year has seen children protected in two major ways: first, with the decentralization of the federal government’s role in education, and second, with the crackdowns against the pediatric gender medicine industrial complex. These policies push back against the ideological, psychological, and medical indoctrination that had infiltrated children’s places in the early 2020s, and empower families and states to make decisions in the best interest of the next generation.”
Inez Stepman, senior policy and legal analyst for Independent Women:
“President Trump has totally transformed the game in higher education. No more will universities get generous benefits from taxpayers while continuing to flout anti-discrimination law and meritocracy to push their ideological agenda, endlessly hiking their tuition and heaping unsustainable student debt on generations. Under this president, for the first time in decades, universities are being held accountable to the people who pay their bills, and being shaped into institutions that actually serve their students and the country. As with so many things, these are changes long overdue that took President Trump to actually happen.”
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