WASHINGTON // Republican and Democratic US lawmakers had plenty to disagree over in president Donald Trump’s maiden speech to Congress on Tuesday, but upon hearing the name Carryn Owens, they rose to their feet as one.
The young blonde woman, seated next to Mr Trump’s daughter Ivanka in the House of Representatives visitors gallery, is the widow of slain US Navy Seal Ryan Owens, who was killed last month during a special forces operation in Yemen against extremist group Al Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula.
“Ryan died as he lived: a warrior, and a hero – battling against terrorism and securing our nation,” Mr Trump told hundreds of lawmakers and millions of Americans watching the prime time TV broadcast.
Throughout the House chamber, people rose in unity to give a standing ovation to Mrs Owens, who appeared nearly overcome by the gesture. Ivanka Trump offered quiet comfort at her side.
The commander-in-chief explained that the operation was described to him by secretary of defence Jim Mattis as “a highly successful raid that generated large amounts of vital intelligence”.
The remark could revive the controversy over the raid. Its heavy toll of Yemeni civilians killed, including children, has come into question.
The White House had insinuated that criticising the operation was tantamount to dishonouring Owens, the first American killed in combat under the Trump administration.
But the Navy Seal’s father, William Owens, described the mission as “stupid” in a recent interview. He refused to meet with the US president when Mr Trump travelled to a Delaware military base on February 1 to pay his respects as Owens’ body was returned to the US.
“Ryan’s legacy is etched into eternity,” Mr Trump said in his address to Congress, prompting a longer, 90-second ovation as Mrs Owens repeatedly looked up to the House ceiling, her hands clasped.
“And Ryan is looking down right now,” Mr Trump added, calling him a hero who laid down his life for US freedoms.
* Agence France-Presse
