Trump delivers fiery speech to Congress
President Donald Trump delivered a lengthy and contentious address to a joint session of Congress, marking his first major speech since commencing his second term six weeks ago. The address, which lasted approximately an hour and 40 minutes, is noted as one of the longest in recent history.
Trump began by declaring "America is back," emphasizing his administration's swift actions, including the signing of nearly 100 executive orders. He announced the establishment of the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), led by Elon Musk, aimed at reducing the size of the federal government.
"I return to this chamber tonight to report that America's momentum is back. Our spirit is back. Our pride is back. Our confidence is back. And the American dream is surging bigger and better than ever before. The American dream is unstoppable and our country is on the verge of a comeback, the likes of which the world has never witnessed and perhaps will never witness again. Never been anything like it," Trump said.
The President also highlighted foreign policy shifts, notably the withdrawal from international agreements such as the Paris Climate Accord and the World Health Organization. He proposed imposing substantial tariffs on major trading partners, including Mexico, Canada, and China, and announced plans to expand production of critical minerals.
Trump's speech was met with mixed reactions. Some Democrats jeered, protested, and even walked out during the address. Representative Al Green vocally interrupted the speech, leading to his removal from the chamber. In response, Michigan Senator Elissa Slotkin delivered the Democratic rebuttal, criticizing Trump's policies and vision.
The President also taunted Senator Elizabeth Warren over her stance on Ukraine, referring to her as "Pocahontas," a nickname he has used in the past to mock her claims of Native American heritage.
