Trump’s Joint Address To Congress Strikes Bold Notes

Man clapping in front of large American flag

President Trump delivered a sweeping address to Congress that outlined his vision for America’s renewal while declaring “America is back” amid both Republican applause and Democratic opposition.

Key Takeaways

Trump declared a national emergency at the southern border that resulted in the lowest illegal border crossings on record, according to his administration.
He signed an executive order defining only two genders as official U.S. policy and called for a ban on gender-affirming care for youth.
Trump proposed new tax policies, including no taxes on tips, overtime, and Social Security benefits, while pledging to balance the federal budget.
He announced the termination of the Green New Deal and withdrawal from the Paris Climate Accord, prioritizing American energy independence.
Trump set a record for the longest address before a joint session of Congress, surpassing Bill Clinton’s previous record.

Border Security Achievements

President Trump emphasized his administration’s swift action on border security, claiming significant results in his first weeks in office. According to the President, his declaration of a national emergency at the southern border and the deployment of military and border patrol agents have dramatically reduced illegal immigration. The measures represent a stark departure from the previous administration’s approach to border management and immigration enforcement.

“Within hours of taking the oath of office, I declared a national emergency on our southern border, and I deployed the U.S. military and border patrol to repel the invasion of our country, and what a job they’ve done. As a result, illegal border crossings last month were by far the lowest ever recorded. They heard my words, and they chose not to come,” Trump said.

The President also announced plans for what he described as the largest deportation operation in American history and a new “gold card” system for wealthy immigrants seeking U.S. citizenship. He signed the Laken Riley Act, expanding detention and deportation powers for criminal aliens, marking a significant shift in immigration enforcement policy from the previous administration.

Economic Vision and Energy Independence

Trump addressed economic challenges facing Americans, criticizing the Biden administration for inflation that peaked at 9.1% in 2022. He pointed specifically to high egg prices as an example of the economic hardship faced by ordinary citizens. The President outlined his economic agenda focused on fostering growth through deregulation, energy independence, and tax reform that aims to benefit American workers and businesses.

The President emphasized energy production as central to his economic strategy, promising to boost fossil fuel development while criticizing the previous administration’s reduction of oil and gas leases. He announced the termination of the Green New Deal and withdrawal from the Paris Climate Accord, which he characterized as imposing unfair costs on the United States while benefiting other nations.

Tax and Fiscal Policies

In his address, Trump urged Congress to pass new tax cuts and extend previous tax reductions. He proposed eliminating taxes on tips, overtime pay, and Social Security benefits, measures aimed at providing relief to working Americans. These fiscal initiatives form part of a broader economic agenda that the President presented as beneficial to middle-class households and small businesses across the country.

Trump also pledged to balance the federal budget, claiming his administration has identified fraud in the Social Security system and initiated efforts to recover misused funds. He criticized foreign aid spending, specifically mentioning programs in Mozambique, while emphasizing his commitment to prioritizing American interests. The President highlighted tariffs as protection for American jobs and proposed reciprocal tariffs to level international trade relationships.

Social Policy Directives

The President announced several executive actions addressing social issues, including an order defining only two genders as the official policy of the United States government. He called for congressional action to ban gender-affirming care for youth and stated that his administration has banned public schools from teaching what he termed “transgender ideology,” signaling a significant shift in federal policy regarding gender identity issues.

“I signed an order making it the official policy of the United States government that there are only two genders, male and female,” said Trump.

The address was marked by interruptions and tension, with Speaker Mike Johnson at one point having to intervene to maintain order. Trump’s speech stretched to a record length for a joint session address, surpassing the previous mark set by President Bill Clinton. The marathon presentation allowed the President to cover a wide range of policy positions while emphasizing his administration’s early accomplishments and vision for America’s future.