Representative Pete Stauber Criticized for Inviting Controversial Figures to President Trump's State of the Union Address
U.S. Representative Pete Stauber (R-MN) has drawn criticism for inviting YouTuber Nick Shirley and David Hoch to President Trump's State of the Union Address. Shirley, a conservative content creator, and Hoch gained viral attention in late December 2025 for a video they produced concerning alleged daycare fraud in Minnesota. This action by Representative Stauber is seen by some as leaning into "culture war" issues. Stauber, who is seeking a fifth term representing northeastern Minnesota, has been a vocal proponent of mining industries in his district and has previously criticized Biden-era decisions to halt mining in the Boundary Waters, arguing it increases reliance on China for critical minerals. His challenger, Trina Swanson (D), has not generated significant buzz in her campaign, but the issue of mining in the Boundary Waters remains a polarizing topic in the district.
