President Trump used a sweeping 100-minute address to a joint session of Congress Tuesday to rally Americans behind his tariff-and-tax-cuts plan for the economy while blaming former President Biden for inflated egg prices, a surge of illegal migrants and escalating deficits.
Forty-three days into his second term, Trump delivered his own report card. He sparred in the House chamber with Democratic lawmakers, arguing he would never be able to please them. He assured Americans that his decisions to close borders, fire thousands of federal civil servants and levy tariffs on neighboring allies would improve their economic realities.
For years, Oval Office predecessors urged lawmakers to reform immigration laws. "It turned out that all we really needed was a new president," Trump said to applause from GOP lawmakers and members of his Cabinet.
The president said little about the budget reconciliation conundrum facing House and Senate Republicans as they try to anchor his "common sense revolution" agenda in law without Democratic support. Trump, who praised Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) and Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-S.D.), also did not mention the escalating chances of a government shutdown when federal funds are depleted on March 14.
Eager to tout his barrage of executive actions and directives since Jan. 20, Trump used his address to ask Congress for just three things: passage of tax cuts including 100 percent expensing, which would benefit large companies; increased resources for border security; and authorization to create what is still a vaguely described missile defense "Golden Dome" to protect the United States.
"A LITTLE DISTURBANCE": After steep slides in financial markets this week in reaction to U.S. tariffs on goods from Mexico, Canada and China, and downbeat reports about consumer sentiment, the president reprised a script assembled during his campaign and the mandate he's claimed since Nov. 5.
Americans, the president said, will experience firsthand the economic benefits of "hundreds of billions" in savings from government downsizing led by billionaire Elon Musk, a lighter regulatory hand, lower taxes, increased investments in U.S. manufacturing and new, reciprocal trade tariffs.
"Tariffs are about making America rich again," the president pledged. But first, he warned, "there will be a little disturbance, but we're OK with that. It won't be much."
Musk today will meet with House Republicans nervous about Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) disruptions and decisions.
▪ The Hill's Niall Stanage reported five takeaways from the president's address.
▪ CBS News: A large majority of speech watchers surveyed overnight said they approved of Trump's remarks. The president's audience was largely Republican.
▪ The New York Times: Read the full speech transcript.
"SAVAGE CONFLICT": As an initial step toward a proposed negotiated ceasefire with Russia, a U.S. deal for Ukraine's rare earth minerals appeared to be back in play Tuesday, one day after Trump halted additional U.S. aid to Ukraine.
The president quoted from a letter he said he received from Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, whose fiery discussion with the president in the Oval Office on Friday scuttled a planned deal-signing. Zelensky, who unsuccessfully sought security guarantees from the U.S. as part of a mineral agreement last week, said Ukraine is prepared to start over and sign what the administration sees as a "backstop" deal as step one.
Trump repeated his view that Europe is not doing enough to shoulder the costs of defending its neighbor: "Europe has sadly spent more money buying Russian oil and gas than they've spent on defending Ukraine, by far." That statement is partially correct, according to data.
▪ CNN: Trump says U.S. apprehended "top terrorist" responsible for 2021 Kabul airport bombing.
▪ The Hill: Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.) panned Trump's address as "a fantasy" after he called her "Pocahontas" while touting his plan to end the war in Ukraine.
Trump again promised to seize the operation of the Panama Canal. And he said Greenland will be part of the U.S. "one way or another." Trump believes the Arctic island, part of the kingdom of Denmark, is integral to U.S. national security.
▪ Haaretz: Trump didn't mention the Middle East until nearly 90 minutes into his speech and referenced Israeli hostages and Hamas only in passing.
▪ Bloomberg News: Trump said he will prioritize U.S. shipbuilding in an effort to counter China.
ROWDY RESISTANCE: As Trump spoke, Democratic lawmakers flashed miniature hand fans and signs that read "False," "LIES" and "This is not normal," among other messages. Some attendees booed Trump and eventually walked out.
In the opening minutes of the president's remarks, Rep. Al Green (D-Texas) interrupted loudly, which prompted the Speaker to bang his gavel in warning before ordering security to escort the lawmaker, clutching a cane, out of the chamber. The 77-year-old lawmaker departed without incident and Trump resumed.
The Hill: Dozens of Democratic members of Congress skipped the president's remarks in the Capitol to participate in counterprogramming on YouTube, including some fact-checking.
Sen. Elissa Slotkin (D-Mich.) slammed Trump during the Democrats' televised response. The first-term senator criticized DOGE and its restructuring of the federal government, saying that "America wants change, but there's a responsible way to make change and a reckless way."
"We can make that change without forgetting who we are as a country and as a democracy," Slotkin continued.
NewsNation: Veterans Affairs Secretary Doug Collins was absent from the Capitol for the president's address because he served as the "designated survivor" in case of catastrophe.
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