President Donald Trump delivered a historic 100-minute address to a joint session of Congress, the longest of its kind in modern U.S. history. Speaking just 43 days into his second term, Trump declared, “America is back,” framing his return to power as a restoration of national pride and momentum. The speech, held before a packed chamber with House Speaker Mike Johnson presiding and Vice President JD Vance in attendance, outlined an ambitious agenda while revealing the deep partisan divide in Washington.
Trump wasted no time touting early wins, including a sweeping federal government overhaul and new tariffs on Mexico, Canada, and China, effective that day. He emphasized border security, economic renewal through tax cuts, and a promise to broker peace between Russia and Ukraine, pausing U.S. military aid to the latter as a signal of shifting foreign policy. Invoking his 2024 election victory, Trump claimed a “powerful mandate,” a line that drew jeers from Democrats, some of whom held signs reading “False” and “Save Medicaid.” Representative Al Green was escorted out for interrupting, and several Democrats staged walkouts, underscoring the tension.
The president spotlighted gallery guests—victims of crime by undocumented immigrants and Americans freed from foreign detention—to bolster his case for tougher immigration and foreign policy stances. Republicans cheered, chanting “U.S.A.,” while Democrats accused Trump of fearmongering. The address blended policy with performance, as Trump’s signature bravado elicited both roaring applause and sharp rebukes.
In the Democratic response, Senator Elissa Slotkin warned of economic fallout from federal job cuts, while Representative Lateefah Simon’s progressive rebuttal criticized the tariffs’ impact on working families. The night encapsulated Trump’s intent to govern boldly, leveraging his electoral coalition, but also highlighted resistance from a fractured opposition.
Delivered on the eve of March 5, 2025, the speech set the tone for a contentious term. As Trump pushes forward, the battle lines in Congress are starkly drawn, promising a turbulent road ahead for his vision of a resurgent America.