Former college athlete Riley Gaines, Silk Road's Ross Ulbricht, and a state DOGE official were among the noteworthy attendees at former President Trump's address to a joint session of Congress during his second term. Several members of Congress shared insights with Fox News Digital regarding their chosen guests for the event.

Rep. Marianette Miller-Meeks (R-IA) invited Gaines, following their shared presence at a White House event focused on transgender athletes in sports. This issue resonated strongly with Miller-Meeks during her 2024 House campaign. Rep. Thomas Massie (R-KY) brought Ross Ulbricht, the founder of the now-defunct dark web marketplace Silk Road. Ulbricht, who received a double life sentence for his role in facilitating illegal activities on the platform, was later pardoned by Trump.

Highlighting the Trump administration's focus on government efficiency, Rep. Ashley Hinson (R-IA) attended with Emily Schmitt, the chair of Iowa's DOGE task force. Schmitt's appointment by Iowa Governor Kim Reynolds followed Trump's establishment of the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), spearheaded by Elon Musk. Hinson is also a member of the House DOGE Caucus. Rep. Tom Emmer (R-MN) invited 1980 U.S. Olympic "Miracle on Ice" hockey team members Buzz Schneider and Rob McClanahan.

Emphasizing support for law enforcement, Rep. Chip Roy (R-TX) invited Texas DPS spokesman Lt. Chris Olivarez, while Rep. Dusty Johnson (R-SD) brought Meade County Sheriff Pat West, recognized for solving a child sex trafficking case. Sen. Joni Ernst (R-IA) invited the father of Sarah Root, an Iowa resident killed by an undocumented immigrant, referencing "Sarah's Law," incorporated into legislation signed by Trump. Meanwhile, some Democrats used their guest invitations to highlight concerns about Trump's policies, including Sens. Elizabeth Warren (D-MA) and Mark Warner (D-VA), and Rep. April McClain Delaney (D-MD), who brought former federal employees impacted by DOGE-related job losses.

Sen. Warner's guest, a former park ranger and cancer survivor, now lacks health insurance. Not all Democrats adhered to this messaging strategy, as Sen. Jon Ossoff (D-GA) attended with Al Lipphardt, commander in chief of the Veterans of Foreign Wars.