Trump touted the many achievements of his first 43 days back in office while Democrats in the chamber protested, heckled, and refused to applaud at points some Democrat pundits say they should have.
On Tuesday evening, President Donald Trump delivered a highly anticipated address to a joint session of Congress, marking his first such speech since his re-election. The address, lasting approximately one hour and forty minutes, was notable for its confrontational tone while providing a comprehensive review of his administration’s first 43 days.
Economic Policies and Trade
President Trump underscored his administration’s aggressive economic measures, including the imposition of tariffs on Canada, Mexico, and China. He framed these tariffs as necessary steps to protect American industries and reduce trade deficits, despite acknowledging the resultant market volatility and diplomatic tensions. Trump dismissed concerns over these repercussions, asserting that such “disturbances” were essential for long-term economic health.
He also touted his creation of the Department of Government Efficiency, appointing entrepreneur Elon Musk as its head. This agency has been tasked with identifying opportunities to streamline federal operations, eliminate wasteful spending, and enhance productivity across government agencies. Trump listed examples DOGE found such as $8 million to promote LGBTQI+ in Lesotho, $20 million for the production of an Arab Sesame Street, and $1.5 billion for “voter confidence in Liberia.”
Immigration and Border Security
A significant portion of the speech was dedicated to immigration and border security. Trump said his administration launched “most sweeping border and immigration crackdown in American history,” claiming a substantial decrease in illegal crossings. He reiterated his commitment to building a fortified border wall and criticized sanctuary cities for undermining federal immigration laws.
Trump also noted his signing into law of the Laken Riley Act, which mandates illegal aliens with criminal backgrounds be detained by Homeland Security. Riley’s mother and sister attended the speech as a guest of the President, who told them he “would ensure their daughter would not have died in vain.”
Social Policies and Cultural Issues
Addressing social policies, President Trump declared a ban on gender-affirming surgeries for minors and prohibited transgender individuals from participating in women’s sports. He argued that these measures were necessary to protect children and maintain fairness in athletics. Trump honored the efforts of Florida mother January Littlejohn who sued her child’s school after it was revealed they attempted to “secretly, socially” transition their 13-year-old daughter without the parents’ knowledge or consent.
Additionally, he celebrated his successful efforts to remove diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives from federal programs, labeling them as divisive and counterproductive.
Foreign Policy and National Security
Trump emphasized his stance on ending the ongoing conflict in Ukraine. Despite a disruptive and unproductive White House meeting with Ukrainian President Volodomyr Zelenskyy last week, Trump said he has since received correspondence from Zelensky that he is ready to work with Trump to secure “a peace that lasts.”
The President also teased ambitions to reclaim control over the Panama Canal and hinted at supporting Greenland’s potential independence, saying “I think we’re gonna get it-one way or the other.”
Democrat Reactions
The real story of the night is the actions of Democrats in the House chamber during Trump’s speech. Texas Democrat Al Green was escorted out of the chambers for heckling and berating the President. Former Obama advisor David Axelrod called Green’s actions “despicable” while saying Democrats should have risen in applause for portions of Trump’s speech they refused. Axelrod was likely referring to Michigan Rep. Debbie Dingell appearing to roll her eyes while a child with cancer was inducted into the Secret Service.
