President Trump is mourning.
President Donald Trump delivered emotional and unscripted remarks Tuesday as he addressed House Republicans following the sudden death of Rep. Doug LaMalfa, a close ally and longtime supporter of the president’s America First agenda.
Speaking at the newly rebranded Trump-Kennedy Center, Trump told lawmakers he was deeply shaken by the loss and described LaMalfa as a dependable conservative who always stood with him.
“I want to share our deep sadness over the passing of a truly outstanding member of Congress,” Trump said. “Congressman Doug LaMalfa died yesterday, and it has deeply affected all of us.”
LaMalfa had served California’s 1st Congressional District since 2013 and earned broad respect for his leadership on Western priorities, especially water policy, a vital issue for farmers, ranchers, and rural communities nationwide.
“He was the leader of the Western Caucus,” Trump said. “A fierce champion on California water. He’d always say, ‘Release the water.’ And he was right.”
President Trump emphasized that LaMalfa was not only a policy fighter but a man of principle who consistently defended American families and conservative values.
“He stood up for American children, American families — he stood up for everybody,” Trump said. “And he voted with me 100 percent of the time. That matters.”
The president revealed that LaMalfa’s sudden passing nearly caused him to cancel the speech altogether.
“I was really saddened by his passing,” Trump told lawmakers. “I actually thought about not even doing the speech today.”
However, Trump said he ultimately decided to proceed because he believed his friend would have insisted on it.
“I said, no — I’ll do it in his honor,” Trump said. “Because he would’ve wanted it that way.”
According to Trump, LaMalfa would have urged him to keep going.
“He would’ve said, ‘Do the speech. Are you kidding me?’” Trump recalled. “Big guy. Strong guy. But a fantastic person.”
Trump acknowledged how sudden the loss felt to those who worked alongside LaMalfa.
“This one happened fast,” he said. “He was just with us. He was our friend — all of us.”
The president concluded by offering condolences to LaMalfa’s wife, Jill, and their family, calling the congressman’s death a profound loss not only for Congress, but for the country.