WASHINGTON—President Donald Trump on May 8 welcomed to the White House mothers who lost children to violence by illegal immigrants or in service to the U.S. Armed Forces, as part of Mother’s Day celebrations.
The president hosted a luncheon in the newly renovated White House Rose Garden, where he addressed Angel Mothers, Gold Star Mothers, and other guests.
Trump described the mothers at the event as “strong and truly heroic moms who have stood up for their children.” He also reflected on his own mother, Mary Anne MacLeod, saying, “I always think so fondly of my mother. Had a wonderful mother.”
During his remarks, Trump highlighted his policy achievements, including strengthening border security and curbing drug trafficking. He criticized the border policies of the previous administration.
“In their honor, we've rapidly turned the worst and most dangerous border in the history of our country into the strongest border in American history,” Trump said.
He recognized Mary Ann Mendoza, founder of Angel Families. Her son, Sgt. Brandon Mendoza, a police officer, was killed in 2014 by a drunk driver who was an illegal immigrant. Since then, she has advocated for stricter border policies.
Other Angel Moms at the event included Tammy Nobles, Jacqueline Medina, and Jackie Siegel.
“I want to thank you for coming. And I don't think you’ve been treated properly. It’s hard to believe, but the Angel Moms have not been treated properly, but this president treats you properly,” Trump said.
White House Chief of Staff Susie Wiles and Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins also attended the event.
“In securing our border, we’ve also made tremendous strides in stopping the flow of illegal drugs into our country,” Trump said. “The flood of deadly fentanyl across our border is down by 59 percent and the drugs coming in by sea are down by 97 percent.”
Trump also recognized several Gold Star mothers during the event, including Janice Chance, who lost her son, Marine Capt. Jesse Melton, in the war in Afghanistan in 2008.
“These mothers raised up children so selfless and so devoted that they volunteered to wear the uniform of our nation and laid down their lives for all of us,” Trump said.
The president also hosted Alicia Lopez, the mother of Marine Corps Corporal Hunter Lopez, one of the 13 U.S. service members killed during the Kabul, Afghanistan, airport bombing on Aug. 26, 2021.
Another guest at the luncheon was Melody Wolfe, mother of National Guard Staff Sergeant Andrew Wolfe, who was critically injured near the White House in November 2025 after being shot by Rahmanullah Lakanwal, an Afghan national.
Wolfe and Army Specialist Sarah Beckstrom were attacked while working as part of the Joint Task Force District of Columbia.
Beckstrom was killed in the attack, while Wolfe is recovering from his injuries.
The president’s other guest was Anna Zarutska, the mother of Iryna Zarutska, the 23-year-old Ukrainian refugee who was stabbed to death on a Charlotte light rail train in North Carolina in August 2025.
The video footage of the incident was released online last year, sparking public outcry.
Trump recognized Iryna Zarutska during his State of the Union address in February, criticizing the bail policies of former North Carolina Gov. Roy Cooper.
“This Mother’s Day, we're thinking of all of those incredible moms, and we’re doing everything in our power to support them and millions of other mothers all across America,” Trump said at the Rose Garden event.
During his speech, he also touted tax cuts and Trump Accounts, a new initiative that sets up investment accounts for children, included in the One Big Beautiful Bill Act.