US President, Donald Trump has delivered his first address to Congress, outlining his accomplishments in the first weeks of his second term and his vision for the rest of the four years going forward.
It was officially the longest first address to a joint session of Congress or State of the Union speech.
According to data from the American Presidency Project, Trump’s address surpassed former President Bill Clinton’s last State of the Union in 2000, which was about one hour and 29 minutes long.
Trump was interrupted several times by Democratic lawmakers, including Democratic Representative Al Green of Texas, who was ultimately removed from the crowd.
He touted his actions to pull the US out of multiple international agreements like the Paris Climate Accord and organizations like the World Health Organization.
He lambasted the CHIPS and Science Act, which passed with bipartisan majorities in 2022.
Giving a shoutout to Elon Musk and the newly-created Department of Government Efficiency, Trump said that “everybody here” appreciates the new agency’s efforts — including Democrats.
While his administration moves forward with restructuring the federal workforce, Trump warned that if workers resist his administration’s policies, they will be fired.
On the economy, Trump proposed making tax cuts from his first term permanent and pass legislation to eliminate taxes on tips and overtime, among other proposals.
He blamed former President Joe Biden for high egg prices, but avian flu has caused prices to surge because the United States Department of Agriculture requires the culling of entire flocks to stop the spread if the virus is detected.
Also, Trump spent several minutes doubling down on his tariff agenda, which has sent stocks sinking, businesses scrambling and consumer confidence plunging.
He asserted that his tariffs would “make America rich again,” but acknowledged “there could be a little disturbance” and “there could be an adjustment period.”
He added that tariffs that match other countries, dollar for dollar, are set for April 2, 2025.
“Other countries have used tariffs against us for decades, and now it’s our turn to start using them against those other countries.
“India charges us tariffs higher than 100%, China’s average tariff on our products is twice what we charge them and South Korea’s average tariff is four times higher.”
Donald Trump
Additionally, Trump reiterated his desire to take control of Greenland.
“We strongly support your right to determine your own future, and if you choose, we welcome you into the United States of America. We need Greenland for national security and even international security, and we’re working with everybody involved to try and get it, but we need it really for international world security, and I think we’re going to get it.
“One way or the other, we’re going to get it. We will keep you safe. We will make you rich,” Trump said. “And together, we will take Greenland to heights like you have never thought possible before.”
Donald Trump
Trump also claimed that the US had begun to reclaim the Panama Canal after making a campaign promise to bring the canal back under US control.
On Ukraine’s War
Moreover, President Donald Trump touted US support to Ukraine during his address to Congress and said he is “working tirelessly to end the savage conflict” there.
“Millions of Ukrainians and Russians have been needlessly killed or wounded in this horrific and brutal conflict, with no end in sight.
“The United States has sent hundreds of billions of dollars to support Ukraine’s defense, with no security, with no anything. Do you want to keep it going for another five years?”
Donald Trump
He went on to criticize Europe’s contributions to support for Ukraine.
Trump also accused former President Joe Biden of authorizing “more money in this fight than Europe has spent by billions and billions of dollars.” “It’s hard to believe that they wouldn’t have stopped it and said at some point, ‘Come on, let’s equalize,’” Trump said of Europe.
Additionally, Trump said that Ukrainian President, Volodymyr Zelenskyy sent him a letter saying that he was ready to negotiate and sign a minerals agreement.
He also said he would take “historic action to dramatically expand production of critical minerals and rare earths” in the US later this week.
On the war, Trump said that Russian President Vladimir Putin felt empowered to invade Ukraine because of how the Biden administration handled the US withdrawal from Afghanistan.
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