In brief
Former President Donald Trump took a victory lap in his first address to Congress since taking office, touting early achievements and vowing to continue his policies.
In a speech delivered before a joint session of Congress, former President Donald Trump claimed he is "just getting started," highlighting accomplishments from his first 43 days in office. He compared his presidency to that of George Washington while emphasizing a shift in national sentiment toward pride and confidence, despite noting how his remarks were met with silence from Democratic members present.Trump listed a range of executive actions, including changes to immigration policies and bans aimed at curbing "woke" culture in schools and military settings. He faced some unrest during his speech when Texas Congressman Al Green was ejected for disrupting the proceedings, voicing concerns over proposed Medicaid cuts. Still, the air was charged with Trump's brash rhetoric, as he held nothing back while disparaging rival Democrats and reflecting on his early performance, which he deemed historically significant.With over an hour and 40 minutes of speaking time, Trump discussed future objectives, such as economic recovery and immigration enforcement, while maintaining that he would pursue a trade policy of reciprocal tariffs. He reassured attendees about balancing the budget while conveniently omitting specific details on proposed cuts that would facilitate such an ambitious claim. When discussing foreign policy, his remarks included a call for deeper engagement with Ukraine and a solution to ongoing tensions, suggesting improved relations with President Volodymyr Zelensky. Trump's performance, characterized by both grand claims and jabbed criticisms, concluded with the longest presidential address to Congress on record, underscoring the polarized nature of U.S. politics.
