Trump dedicates speech to late Rep. Doug LaMalfa after sudden death
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President Donald Trump dedicated his speech before Republican lawmakers Tuesday to the late Rep. Doug LaMalfa, R-California, following the congressman’s sudden death earlier in the day.
Trump was previously scheduled to address House GOP members at the Trump-Kennedy Center on Tuesday but said he nearly canceled plans after learning of LaMalfa’s death. The president praised LaMalfa for always being there for him to vote and said it was to his credit that Trump never had to call him out to rally his support.
“I talked to Doug, but I didn’t talk to him, you know? So we had no problems. I was really saddened by his passing, and I was considering not even giving a speech in his honor,” Trump said. “But then I decided I had to do it in his honor. I’m going to do it in his honor because that’s the way he would want it.”
“He’d say, ‘Give that speech! Are you kidding me? Give that speech.'” he continued. “He was a wonderful person. It happened so quickly. I don’t know what happened yet, but it’s a very difficult thing. He was just with us. He was our friend. All of us, every single one of us.”
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President Donald Trump praised LaMalfa as a “great person.” (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)
LaMalfa, 65, died Tuesday morning, but the causes of death have not yet been confirmed.
House Majority Rep. Tom Emmer, R-Minn., confirmed LaMalfa’s death at X.
“Jacquie and I are devastated by the sudden loss of our friend, Congressman Doug LaMalfa. Doug was a loving father and husband, and a staunch advocate for his constituents and rural America. Our prayers are with Doug’s wife, Jill, and their children,” Emmer said.
Rep. Doug LaMalfa, R-Calif., leaves the House Republican Conference caucus at the Capitol Hill Club in Washington on Wednesday, Nov. 29, 2023. (Bill Clark/CQ-Roll Call, Inc via Getty Images)
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In addition to being an advocate for conservative causes, LaMalfa was known as a kind man to both reporters and House lawmakers.
Congressman represented the 1st Congressional District Northern Californiaand was chairman of the Congressional Western Caucus.
Trump praised LaMalfa’s conduct in Congress and said he never had to call the California lawmaker to rally his support. (Tom Williams/CQ-Roll Call, Inc. via Getty Images)
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His death reduces House Republicans’ majority to 218-213, meaning Republicans can now lose just two votes to pass legislation along party lines.
Fox News’ Elizabeth Elkind contributed to this report.
