The massive takeaways from Trump’s speech to Congress: From the Politics Desk
Welcome to a particular version of From the Politics Desk, the place our reporters who had been contained in the Home chamber tonight carry you the highlights from President Donald Trump’s first speech to Congress of his second time period.
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— Adam Wollner
Key takeaways from Trump’s speech to Congress: A give attention to tradition wars and GOP unity
By Sahil Kapur
President Donald Trump touted his newly imposed tariffs and basked in Republican applause for his administration’s swift early actions, whereas he drew a wave of protests from Democrats as he spoke to a joint session of Congress on Tuesday.
Leaning into tradition wars, Trump inveighed in opposition to transgender rights, “they/them” pronouns and variety, fairness and inclusion applications. He celebrated his crackdown on migration. He repeatedly taunted his predecessor, Joe Biden, saying the previous president imposed “insane and really harmful open border insurance policies” and provided little in the best way of olive branches to Democrats, as an alternative touting his 2024 victory as a mandate to reshape the nation.
Listed below are our takeaways from the speech — and the way it units up the remainder of Trump’s 2025.
Trump defends his tariff strikes: Trump stated the 25% tariffs on merchandise from Canada and Mexico “are about defending the soul of our nation” as scores of Republicans applauded.
It’s an indication of how Trump has reworked the historically pro-free commerce GOP, although there’s some unease within the social gathering concerning the tariffs’ results on costs and the broader financial system.
“There’ll be somewhat disturbance,” Trump added. “However we’re OK with that. It gained’t be a lot.”
Outlining the agenda for the “large, lovely invoice”: Trump spent important time on points starting from transgender athletes to the work of the Division of Authorities Effectivity. However the largest factor Congress may go on this yr shall be an enormous tax and spending invoice, and Trump outlined his priorities.
Trump reiterated his calls to chop taxes and embody a number of marketing campaign path tax guarantees in a invoice later this yr — particularly killing taxes on ideas and extra time. Congressional Republicans are wrestling with the feasibility of these proposals.
What was lacking: Just a few thorny points had been largely or solely lacking from the speech, reflecting the broad purpose of rallying Republicans.
The return of Israeli and American hostages held by Hamas in Gaza earned a point out, however Trump didn’t delve a lot deeper into the broader points going through the Center East. And because the GOP’s finances and spending plans take form, there was no point out of Medicaid — a significant portion of the federal finances that might be a goal for modifications. And Trump didn’t delve into the federal employee cuts which have sparked anxiousness amongst some congressional Republicans and pushback from the general public.
Learn the remainder of the takeaways right here →
Democrats’ silent protests of Trump speech overshadowed by one outburst
By Scott Wong and Frank Thorp V
Home and Senate Democrats silently protested Trump — refusing to applaud, holding up indicators calling him “king” and “liar” and, for some, strolling out of the deal with altogether.
Rep. Al Inexperienced, D-Texas, didn’t get the memo.
After Trump instructed lawmakers he had gained a mandate, the progressive rabble-rouser rose, started waving his cane at Trump and yelled out repeatedly: “You don’t have any mandate!” The sergeant at arms promptly eliminated Inexperienced from the chamber — a primary throughout modern-day presidential addresses to Congress.
It was not what Democratic leaders had needed. They’d warned their rank-and-file members earlier than the joint deal with to not carry props and to remain on message — the main target ought to keep on the federal employees fired by Trump and his billionaire adviser Elon Musk’s Division of Authorities Effectivity, in addition to the on a regular basis People harmed by their insurance policies and cuts.
Nevertheless it’s laborious to maintain each congressional Democrat in line. From the second Trump walked onto the Home ground, it was clear this might not be the same old speech to Congress. Rep. Melanie Stansbury of New Mexico, the highest Democrat on the brand new DOGE subcommittee, silently held an indication behind Trump studying: “That is NOT regular.”
After he greeted Trump, Rep. Lance Gooden, R-Texas, reached throughout the aisle, ripped the signal away from Stansbury and tossed it within the air — all on stay TV.
Senate Democrats, in the meantime, stood when Trump walked down the middle aisle however didn’t applaud.
Rep. Rashida Tlaib, D-Mich., introduced an erasable whiteboard into the chamber and scribbled varied messages to Trump all through the night time: “NO KING,” “THAT’S A LIE” and “You’re chopping Medicaid,” as an example.
Learn extra from contained in the Home chamber right here →
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