Biden’s State of the Union guests include the Nichols family, the Ukrainian ambassador and Bono

The United States’ continued support for Ukraine will likely be one of the highlights of Biden’s speech, particularly with Markarova joining the first lady as a guest for the second straight year. The Ukrainian ambassador received a standing ovation during last year’s State of the Union, just days after Russia launched its war on Ukraine.

Violence and politically motivated extremism are sure to be the topics of Biden’s speech with Paul Pelosi on the guest list, after the former House speaker’s husband was violently attacked by a home intruder at the 2022. The White House guest list also includes Monterey Park, California Lunar New Year shooting survivor Brandon Tsay, who heroically stopped the shooter from carrying out a second attack.

The president is also expected to discuss justice in policing, given the presence of the parents of Tire Nichols, a black man who died in Memphis last month after being beaten by police.

Several people on the guest list have been impacted in some way by the bipartisan infrastructure law, including Saria Gwin-Maye, an ironworker and union member who will work to fix a bridge in Kentucky. who receives an investment as a result of the legislation. Another guest, Deanna Branch, is working to build a lead-free community after her son was poisoned with lead, an initiative funded by Biden’s Infrastructure Act.

Other White House guests highlight key topics such as job growth, the Cut Inflation Act, abortion, mental health, cancer and the fight against anti-Semitism, among others. The first lady also invited U2 singer Bono, who is a well-known HIV and AIDS activist.