During his unwavering address before Congress, President Trump vowed to continue his campaign of “swift and unrelenting action” in reorienting the nation’s economy, immigration, and foreign policy. Democratic legislators expressed their dissent by making stone faces, holding placards that called out “lies,” and even ejecting one of their colleagues.
The president and his supporters are working to reduce the size of the federal government and alter America’s standing in the globe. The Republican-led House and Senate have done nothing to constrain him, and his prime-time address on Tuesday was the latest milestone in this takeover of the nation’s capital.
The president’s record-setting 99-minute speech was essentially a fierce defense of the ideas that Trump had campaigned on and had been promoting since his return to office. Trump has promised to continue implementing massive reforms in an effort to save the country from the “devastation and mistakes” caused by his predecessor. Instead of addressing the American people—who are still reeling from the recent chaos—directly, he would needle the Democratic politicians in his chair again and time again.
“America wants change, but there’s a responsible way to make change and a reckless way, and we can make that change without forgetting who we are as a country and as a democracy,” conceded Michigan Sen. Elissa Slotkin, who provided the Democratic rebuttal after Trump’s address.
Trump has taken full control of the Republican-led Congress, vowed to dismantle portions of the federal government, reshape America’s relationship with its allies, and impose tariffs that have ignited a North American trade war, all the while bolstered by his triumphs over impeachment in his first term and the persistence of criminal prosecutions during his two administrations.
“It has been nothing but swift and unrelenting action,” Trump said of his early weeks in office. “I am carrying out the duties of my office as elected by the people.”
With the help of billionaire advisor Elon Musk, Trump is attempting to reduce the size and scope of the federal government. Trump has expressed his desire to “reclaim democracy from this unaccountable bureaucracy” and has once again threatened federal workers with termination if they oppose his agenda.
Republicans in the chamber gave Elon Musk two standing ovations as he was sitting in the House gallery. Trump made baseless accusations and exaggerated allegations about supposed government malfeasance that Musk and his team of disruptors had discovered.
In response to Trump’s repeated assertions that tens of millions of individuals who have passed away are still collecting Social Security benefits, many Democrats yelled out, “Not true!” and “Those are lies!”
Those who elected Trump on the premise that he would rein in inflation are now facing economic anarchy, and Trump spoke at a pivotal point in his presidency. The public views inflation as getting worse, and the S&P 500 has lost all of its gains since Election Day.
Despite warnings from experts that his trade policies will lead to higher prices for consumers, Trump seems ready to redouble his efforts in this area.
We will tax them whatever they levy on us. What they levy on us, we levy on them as well, Trump declared. “There will be a little disturbance, but we’re okay with that,” he said, attempting to assuage fears about the consequent price hikes. It won’t amount to much.
Trump has stated that helping working families and rescuing the economy are two of his “very highest priorities.” While laying the blame at the feet of his Democratic predecessor Joe Biden and providing few specifics about his proposals, he did pledge to reorganize the federal government to reduce energy and egg prices.
Additionally, Trump requested more government funds to implement his border crackdown, which includes his pledged efforts at “mass deportation” of individuals in the United States illegally, and to prolong his first-term tax cuts.
With the words, “But it turned out that all we really needed was a new president,” he praised his immigration crackdown.
By stating, “I’m sure you’re going to vote for those tax cuts,” Trump appeared to provoke Democrats in his discussion of the tax cuts he had promised. I just don’t think the people will ever elect you if that isn’t the case.
The president began the day by imposing heavy duties on imports from the nation’s closest trade partners and neighbors, creating additional economic uncertainty. Immediate reaction and concerns of a broader trade war ensued when a 25% tariff on goods from Canada and Mexico went into force early Tuesday. The charge was supposedly imposed to achieve more cooperation in combating fentanyl trafficking and illegal immigration. Additionally, Trump increased duties on Chinese imports to 20%.
The president was greeted by enthusiastic shouts from the Republican caucus as he approached the lectern in the House. With victories in the White House, Senate, and House, the Republicans were understandably ecstatic. But they have the difficult job of carrying out Trump’s agenda while also preventing a government shutdown that might happen later this month.
As soon as Trump was presented in the chamber, the out-of-power Democrats established the tone by staying seated without applauding or making eye contact with him.
House Speaker Mike Johnson intervened after many disruptions, requesting that the chamber resume its decorum while Republicans raised their voices to chant “USA” in an effort to drown out the shouts from the opposite side of the aisle. Rep. Al Green of Texas was subsequently removed from the chamber on Johnson’s order.
Just after being kicked out of the chamber, Green spoke to reporters, saying, “It’s worth it to let people know that there are some people who are going to stand up” to Trump.
Some Democrats tried to draw attention to parts of Trump’s plan that they thought may help them regain the majority by holding up placards that said things like “Protect Veterans” and “Save Medicaid” during Trump’s speech.
A handicapped veteran from Arizona, a health worker from Maryland, and a forestry professional from California who works on wildfire prevention were invited as guests by some Democrats in an effort to draw attention to the effects of Trump’s actions.
In his speech, Trump also discussed his plans to promote peace in the Middle East and Ukraine, two regions where he has swiftly reversed the policies of the Biden administration. The United States has been a steadfast ally to Ukraine in its fight against Russia’s invasion for years, but on Monday, Trump issued an order freezing all military aid to the nation.
Trump read aloud from a letter that Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy sent to him earlier on Tuesday, in which the former wartime leader expressed his desire to resume peace talks with Russia following last week’s tense encounter in the Oval Office. After “serious discussions,” Trump stated that Russia has shown its readiness for peace through strong signals. “Don’t you think that is stunning?”
A suspect in the suicide attack that killed U.S. forces during their exit from Afghanistan in 2021 at the Kabul airport was also announced by him.
With his address to Congress lasting an unprecedented one hour and 39 minutes, Trump shattered Bill Clinton’s record of one hour and 28 minutes.
Elliston Berry, a 15-year-old from Aledo, Texas, who was the target of an inappropriate deepfake photograph emailed to classmates, was among the visitors who watched from the gallery with first lady Melania Trump.
Corey Comperatore, a former fire chief from Pennsylvania, was assassinated last summer while protecting his family. His relatives were among the other guests in the White House.
Republican legislators erupted in chanting at the end of Trump’s speech that mirrored his remarks immediately following his gunshot wound: “Fight! Fight! Fight!”