Washington, D.C. – March 5, 2025 – In a heartfelt moment during a recent presidential address to a joint session of Congress, 13-year-old Devarjaye “DJ” Daniel from Texas was sworn in as an honorary Secret Service agent by President Donald Trump. The gesture, met with thunderous applause from Republican lawmakers, highlighted DJ’s extraordinary resilience in his ongoing battle with brain cancer—a fight that has defied the odds and inspired many across the nation.
DJ, dressed in a Houston Police Department uniform, sat alongside his father, Theodis Daniel, in the House gallery as Trump recounted his story. “He has always dreamed of becoming a police officer,” the president said. “But in 2018, DJ was diagnosed with brain cancer. The doctors gave him five months at most to live. That was more than six years ago.” Against a grim initial prognosis, DJ has undergone 13 surgeries to combat a rare and incurable form of brain and spine cancer. His quest to be sworn in as an honorary member of law enforcement agencies—now exceeding 900 departments—has become a symbol of hope and determination.
The emotional peak of the evening came when Trump announced, “Tonight, DJ, we’re going to do you the biggest honor of all,” calling on Secret Service Director Sean Curran to present DJ with official credentials. The 13-year-old’s eyes widened in surprise as he accepted the badge, proudly displaying it to the cheering crowd before embracing Curran in a hug. Republicans in the chamber chanted “DJ” in unison, while many Democrats remained seated, drawing a stark partisan contrast.
The celebration of DJ’s courage, however, was quickly overshadowed by controversy stemming from post-address commentary on MSNBC. Host Nicolle Wallace, during a panel discussion, veered into politically charged territory while reflecting on the moment. After expressing initial “joy” for DJ’s recognition, Wallace said, “I hope he has a long life as a law enforcement officer, but I hope he never has to defend the United States Capitol against Donald Trump’s supporters, and if he does, I hope he isn’t one of the six who loses his life to suicide.” She further referenced the January 6, 2021, Capitol riot and Trump’s past pardons of supporters involved, suggesting a dark hypothetical future for the young cancer survivor.
Wallace’s remarks ignited a firestorm of backlash, particularly among conservative circles and on social media platforms like X, where users labeled her comments “sickening,” “repulsive,” and “deranged.” Prominent voices, including Turning Point USA founder Charlie Kirk, called for her firing, with Kirk stating, “This is genuinely the most repulsive comment I’ve heard in a very long time from anyone on television.” Others, including former Fox News producer Kyle Becker and Megyn Kelly Show producer Steve Krakauer, echoed the sentiment, decrying the politicization of a child’s moment of triumph.
Fellow MSNBC host Rachel Maddow also drew criticism for her take, calling Trump’s recognition of DJ “disgusting” and accusing the president of making a “spectacle” of the boy’s survival “as if the president had something to do with that.” Maddow tied her critique to broader policy disagreements, claiming Trump’s support for budget cuts under the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) initiative had slashed funding for pediatric cancer research—a point contested by supporters who argue such cuts are speculative or mischaracterized.
DJ’s story, meanwhile, remains one of remarkable perseverance. Diagnosed at age six, he has spent years working with his family to raise awareness about pediatric cancer while pursuing his dream of serving in law enforcement. Trump tied the honor to his administration’s health policy goals, pledging that reducing childhood cancer rates would be a priority under Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. “Our goal is to get toxins out of our environment, poisons out of our food supply, and keep our children healthy and strong,” Trump said, framing DJ as an inspiration for this mission. 17GEN4.com
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