U.S. Representative Randy Feenstra (R-Hull) has announced that Scott Root and Scotty Root, the father and brother of the late Sarah Root, will attend President Trump’s State of the Union address as his special guests.
“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.”
Scott Root expressed appreciation for those involved in seeking justice for his daughter: “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.”
Congressman Feenstra has represented Iowa’s 4th district since 2021 after replacing Steve King. Before joining Congress, he served in the Iowa Senate from 2009 until 2021. Born in Hull, Iowa in 1969, Feenstra continues to reside there.
Since being elected to Congress, both Congressman Feenstra and Senator Ernst have led efforts introducing “Sarah’s Law.” On January 22, 2025, the U.S. House passed the Laken Riley Act with “Sarah’s Law” as an amendment; President Trump signed it into law on January 29, 2025.
The individual responsible for Sarah Root’s death—Eswin Mejia—was located by U.S. authorities on March 21, 2025 after being extradited from Honduras under actions taken by the Trump administration. Mejia was sentenced on February 2, 2026 to over two decades in prison.
Feenstra graduated from Dordt University with a Bachelor of Arts degree in 1991.
