President Donald Trump delivered a speech to a joint session of Congress on Tuesday, marking his first formal address to lawmakers since returning to office. The speech, which lasted over an hour and a half, outlined his administration’s policy goals, economic initiatives, and approach to national security. It was met with enthusiastic applause from Republicans, while Democrats expressed opposition through protests, silent demonstrations, and at times vocal disruptions.
Trump began his address with the statement, “America is back,” emphasizing what he described as rapid progress within the first six weeks of his term. He highlighted actions taken by his administration, including executive orders aimed at border security, economic reform, and government efficiency. The president specifically praised the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), an initiative led by Elon Musk, for identifying wasteful spending and cutting various federal programs. However, outside reviews have questioned the accuracy of the department’s financial savings claims.
On immigration, Trump touted his administration’s policies as the toughest in U.S. history, asserting that the southern border is now under control. He credited these measures for a sharp decline in illegal crossings, citing recent statistics that indicate the lowest recorded encounters at the U.S.-Mexico border. He also reiterated his stance on law enforcement, calling for a federal law to mandate the death penalty for individuals convicted of killing police officers.
A central moment of the speech was Trump’s tribute to Corey Comperatore, a firefighter who was killed during an assassination attempt on Trump in Butler, Pennsylvania. The president praised Comperatore’s bravery, recounting how he shielded his family from gunfire. He also honored the families of U.S. service members killed in the Kabul airport bombing during the 2021 withdrawal from Afghanistan, announcing that his administration had recently apprehended the individual responsible for the attack.
Trump’s remarks on economic policy included a strong defense of his tariff strategy, arguing that reciprocal tariffs on foreign imports would revitalize American industries. He criticized trade policies under previous administrations and proposed making interest on American-made car loans tax-deductible. He also urged Congress to pass additional tax cuts while pledging to balance the federal budget, despite supporting legislation that could increase the deficit.
The president’s stance on foreign policy drew attention when he addressed the issue of Greenland, reiterating his belief that the U.S. should acquire the Denmark-owned territory. He framed the acquisition as a matter of national security, promising prosperity for Greenland’s residents should they choose to join the U.S. He also called for the development of a missile defense system, which he referred to as the “Golden Dome,” modeled after Israel’s Iron Dome system.
Democratic lawmakers voiced their objections throughout the evening. Several members held up protest signs, while Representative Al Green was removed from the chamber after interrupting the speech. Female lawmakers dressed in pink to signal their opposition to Trump’s policies, particularly those related to gender issues.
Trump ended his address with a vision for the future, declaring, “The golden age of America has only just begun.” His speech reinforced his administration’s priorities and set the stage for upcoming legislative battles in Congress.
Image is in the public domain and was uploaded by Otterman107.
