Anya Zarutska was present for the speech, where the president called on Congress to pass laws focused on cracking down on repeat criminal offenders.
CHARLOTTE, N.C. โ President Donald Trump recognized Anya Zarutska, the mother of Iryna Zarustka, during his 2026 State of the Union address in Washington as he called on Congress to enact tougher punishments for repeat criminals.
“We’re honored to be joined by a woman who’s been through Hell,” Trump said, introducing Anya Zarutska. “In 2022, she and her daughter- what a beautiful daughter, so beautiful, what a beautiful young woman – Iryna fled war-torn Ukraine to live with relatives near Charlotte, North Carolina. And by the way, what’s going on with Charlotte?”
Trump went on to recount Iryna Zarutska’s killing on the CATS Blue Line in August 2025, referring to the suspect – Decarlos Brown – as a “deranged monster” and saying Brown was released through “no-cash bail”.ย
Trump also said Brown was in the U.S. under “open borders”, though that is not the case.
“She had escaped a brutal war, only to be slain by a hardened criminal, set free to kill in America,” he said, as he then turned to acknowledge Anya Zarutska in the gallery.ย
“We will ensure justice for your magnificent daughter,” Trump added.
The president’s remarks on Iryna Zarutska drew applause from Republicans gathered for the address. He also lambasted Democrats for not standing and applauding. By and large, Democrats did not offer applause throughout the address.
“How do you not stand?” he questioned.
Trump asked for Congress to pass legislation to ensure violent criminal offenders would be put in prison, “and that they stay there”, garnering further applause from Republicans.
WCNC Charlotte has requested comment from CATS and Charlotte leaders in response to the address.
In the wake of Iryna’s killing, North Carolina lawmakers passed into law legislation titled Iryna’s Law, tightening bail restrictions and expediting death penalty appeals.
Police records, which include body-worn camera footage released by theย Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department, showed that Brown had a history of facing mental illness. The footage from CMPD showed a January 2019 encounter with officers. Brown told them he believed “man-made material” was placed in his body and was controlling his movements.
The interaction with Brown lasted about 28 minutes per CMPD. Officers said they focused on de-escalating the situation and maintaining public safety. When officers told Brown he should seek medical attention and visit a hospital, he became visibly upset and insisted police investigate his concerns.
Brown called 911 again while officers remained on scene, asking for more officers to respond. After that second call, CMPD arrested him and charged him with misuse of the 911 system.
CMPD said it did not obtain an involuntary commitment (IVC) for Brown in this incident because he did not express intent to harm himself or others. The department also said the IVC process is only pursued when a person facing a mental health crisis indicates they may present such a danger. The process is used to place an individual in a treatment facility, regardless of that person’s willingness to go.
CMPD noted that it responded to three previous calls Brown placed in 2024 regarding similar concerns. During those encounters, services and assistance were offered, but Brown ultimately declined them.
Through an attorney, Iryna Zarutska’s family called for change, calling her death “tragic and preventable,” and said she was just minutes away from home. She was working full-time at a Charlotte pizzeriaย while simultaneously attending community college in efforts to improve her English.ย
Surveillance footage of the fatal stabbing was also released. Her family asked people “to respect Irynaโs dignity and their grief” by not sharing it.ย
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