During his congressional address Tuesday evening, President Trump honored Chief Petty Officer William Owens, a Navy SEAL who was killed in Yemen during a raid last month.

“We are blessed to be joined by Carryn Owens, widow of U.S. Navy Special Operator, Senior Chief William ‘Ryan’ Owens,” Trump said, while looking in the direction of Carryn Owens, who sat next to Ivanka Trump in the first lady’s box. “Ryan died as he lived,” he said. “A warrior and a hero, battling against terrorism and securing our nation.”

“Ryan’s legacy is etched into eternity,” Trump said.

The chamber erupted into a prolonged applause that lasted for several minutes, during which Carryn stood and mouthed “I love you” repeatedly while looking upward.

“Ryan is looking down right now, you know that, and he’s very happy because I think he just broke our record,” Trump said of the long applause.

In response, members of the media suggested the president was exploiting the family’s tragedy for political gain. Federalist senior writer Mary Katharine Ham disagrees.

But what you can & should do is credit her. Maybe a SEAL wife who's been through, God willing, worst life will give her, can handle Trump. — Mary Katharine Ham (@mkhammer) March 1, 2017

Maybe a widow raising 3 children knows how important it is to keep his name & memory alive, & that this moment is bigger than Trump or you. — Mary Katharine Ham (@mkhammer) March 1, 2017

Maybe she thinks it might teach her children the strength & courage of their dad (& mom!) to watch her stand up tall even when it hurts. — Mary Katharine Ham (@mkhammer) March 1, 2017

Maybe, probably, very likely, she's a badass. You and your kids are in my prayers, Carryn. Do what you gotta do. Proverbs 31:25 — Mary Katharine Ham (@mkhammer) March 1, 2017

Ham appeared on “CNN Newsroom” Wednesday afternoon to elaborate on her thoughts. “I didn’t like the idea that she is only fit to be a prop, that she can only be exploited by the President,” she said. “There are some moments that go beyond that, even when they are political moments.”