Feenstra Announces Special Guests for President Trump’s State of the Union Address
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Rep. Randy Feenstra (R-Hull) announced that Scott Root, the father of the late Sarah Root, and Scotty Root, Sarah’s brother, would be his special guests to President Trump’s State of the Union address.
“I’m honored to announce that Scott, Sarah Root’s father, and Scotty, her brother, will be my special guests for President Trump’s State of the Union address. The President’s speech comes as Sarah’s killer was extradited by the Trump administration last year and has now been sentenced to more than 20 years in prison for his crimes,” said Rep. Feenstra. “I am also grateful that Scott could be with me at the White House last January when President Trump signed the Laken Riley Act into law, which included my bill – Sarah’s Law – in memory of Sarah. With President Trump’s signature, Sarah’s Law ensures that illegal immigrants who harm or kill American citizens are detained and prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law – not released on bail without answering for their crimes. I’m thankful that both Scott and Scotty could make the trip to our nation’s capital to honor Sarah’s memory and display the incredible resilience of Iowans even in the face of unthinkable tragedy.”
“President Trump, Congressman Feenstra, and Senator Ernst never forgot about my daughter and their actions helped capture Sarah’s killer and ensure that no illegal gets off free after killing an American. Nothing can bring Sarah back, but knowing that justice has finally been delivered and future illegal criminals won’t be able to do what happened to my daughter gives me hope,” said Scott Root. “I want to thank Congressman Randy Feenstra and Senator Ernst for their tireless work to get Sarah’s Law passed and signed into law. It was an honor to be at the White House with them when President Trump signed Sarah’s Law, making clear that these illegals will answer for their crimes.”
Since being elected to Congress, both Congressman Feenstra and Senator Ernst have led with the introduction of Sarah’s Law, and on January 22, 2025 the U.S. House of Representatives passed the Laken Riley Act with Sarah’s Law included as an amendment. President Trump then signed this legislation into law on January 29, 2025.
On March 21, 2025, the illegal immigrant – Eswin Mejia – who killed Sarah was located by the Trump administration and became the first person the United States has been able to extradite from Honduras for murder. On February 2, 2026, Mejia was sentenced to more than 20 years in prison.
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