In a lengthy address to Congress, Trump celebrated his early presidency, highlighting achievements and warning of future challenges while facing a tepid reception from Democrats.
Trump Declares He's 'Just Getting Started' in Congress Address
Trump Declares He's 'Just Getting Started' in Congress Address
The president boasts about accomplishments and outlines future plans, igniting reactions in a divided chamber.
In his address to Congress, Donald Trump asserted that the first six weeks of his presidency have been more productive than those of most past administrations, proclaiming, "We are just getting started." His rhetoric painted a picture of America experiencing a revival of "pride" and "confidence." Trump emphasized his belief that many consider his presidency's kickoff the most successful in U.S. history and made grand comparisons to George Washington, reinforcing the idea of his electoral victory as monumental.
The president's speech brimmed with highlights from his time in office thus far, celebrating a host of executive orders, a substantial drop in illegal crossings at the border, and a commitment to cutting back on foreign aid. He didn't shy away from controversial topics either, including his bans on transgender participation in women's sports and efforts to eliminate what he terms "woke ideology" from classrooms and the military. "Wokeness is trouble. Wokeness is bad. It’s gone, it’s gone, and we feel so much better for it, don’t we?" he proclaimed, drawing applause from his party while leaving Democrats in stony silence.
Democratic members of Congress, present in large numbers, showcased their disapproval through silence and held signs that read "false" and “lies” as Trump laid blame for the country's issues at their feet, mentioning the contributions of "radical left lunatics" and criticizing former President Joe Biden's policies. Trump revelled in the atmosphere, teasing his opponents and brandishing the controversial nickname "Pocahontas" for Senator Elizabeth Warren. An early interruption by Democratic Congressman Al Green, who was eventually ejected for disrupting proceedings, underscored the tension within the chamber, as he protested potential cuts to Medicaid.
As the speech went on for more than an hour and 40 minutes, Trump moved on to address ongoing national issues. He criticized the current economy, attributing challenges such as rising egg prices to the Biden administration while promising to prioritize immediate financial relief for families. He specifically mentioned his “Department of Government Efficiency” (Doge), humorously named, which he claims would address inflation by tackling wasteful government spending.
Trump reiterated his unchanged stance on immigration enforcement, pledging to protect American interests with tariff policies he deemed necessary, even acknowledging the short-term economic disturbances they could cause. While touting a commitment to balancing the federal budget, he left Republicans applauding without any clarity on how those cuts would be achieved. At the same time, he laid out expansive plans for tax cuts that many economists warn would exacerbate the existing budget deficit.
On foreign policy matters, Trump briefly touched upon his controversial ambitions, such as American control of Greenland and the Panama Canal, before addressing the ongoing conflict in Ukraine. Showing a willingness to engage with Ukraine's President Zelensky, Trump cited a recent letter that praised U.S. support for Ukrainian sovereignty, suggesting an openness to future negotiations.
As he concluded, his address broke records as one of the longest in modern history, leaving supporters invigorated while critics expressed their disdain and exited swiftly. The divisive reactions to Trump's speech highlight the stark ideological divides present in Congress and set the stage for the contentious political battles that lie ahead.
