President Donald Trump’s first joint address to Congress in his second term exposed the deep divisions in American politics. While Trump highlighted “The American Dream Will Be Renewed Under Trump’s Leadership,” Republican lawmakers frequently rose with applause and cheers. Meanwhile, Democratic representatives held up protest signs to express their dissent. The stark contrast intensified when Rep. Al Green (D-TX) was escorted out for heckling the President.
The March 4th joint session of Congress served as a snapshot of the nation’s polarization. As Trump entered the chamber, Republicans chanted “USA” while Democrats remained seated. In an unusual move, House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries declined to escort the President to the Speaker’s office, according to the Washington Post and The New York Times.
Trump set the tone by declaring, “America is back.” When he celebrated his administration’s 43-day record, Republicans responded with standing ovations. Democrats, in contrast, stayed silent or continued their silent protests. Some lawmakers wore ties in Ukrainian flag colors, signaling their criticism of Trump’s stance on the Ukraine war. Several Democratic senators, including Patty Murray, Chris Murphy, and Ron Wyden, boycotted the address altogether. At the same time, anti-Trump protests erupted across all 50 states.
Trump emphasized his executive orders during his address, proclaiming, “I return to this chamber tonight to report that America’s momentum is back. ” He asserted that the “American dream is surging bigger and better than ever before.” He celebrated his administration’s “culture war” victories, stating, “And our country will be woke no longer.”
Surprisingly, Trump praised Tesla CEO Elon Musk, now heading the Department of Efficiency, for preventing billions in wasteful spending. He blamed the previous administration for inflation and rising costs, specifically accusing President Joe Biden of “letting egg prices spiral out of control” while taking credit for recent price reductions.
Trump’s comments on the Ukraine conflict drew attention when he said, “Working tirelessly to end savage conflict in Ukraine,” notably avoiding the phrase “Russian invasion.” He emphasized U.S. support for Ukraine’s defense but criticized European nations for “spending far more on Russian oil and gas than on supporting Ukraine.”
The President highlighted his administration’s immigration policies, noting that they have implemented the most comprehensive border and immigration enforcement in American history. He stated that illegal border crossings had reached an all-time low and called for additional funding to strengthen these efforts further.