White House press secretary Sean Spicer rejected arguments on Wednesday that the widow of Chief Petty Officer Ryan Owens was a “prop” for President Trump during his address to a joint session of Congress, and said she was consulted and accepted an invitation to help honor the life of her husband.

“It was she who accepted the invitation. I think she has a right to honor the sacrifice and legacy of her husband,” Spicer told reporters when asked about the attendance of Carryn Owens. He said he has been in Washington for 25 years and has “never seen a sustained applause like that.”