Transcript of LIVE: Full coverage of President Donald Trump's address to joint session of Congress

For President Trump, his first presidential address to Congress of his second term. And tonight we're in Washington with the economy front and center.

We may have short term, little pain, and people understand that, but long term, the United States has been ripped off by virtually every country in the world.

Tariffs with our allies have many warning the price of everyday staples will go up in just a matter of days. We look back at Trump's 44 days in office, from the economy to foreign policy.

You're either going to make a deal or we're out. And if we're out, you'll fight it out. If somebody doesn't want to make a deal, I think that person won't be around very long.

And the richest man in the world, Trump side through it all, Elon Musk's controversial plan to reshape our federal government. Is this what you voted for? Is this what you really want? Some unelected bajillionaire coming in and deciding to cut things he had never heard of until yesterday. Tonight, fired federal workers will be in the hall. Musk may even have to cross paths with them. We're standing by to hear from lawmakers on both sides. And we have the best team in the business right here with me. A special edition of ABC News Live prime starts right now. From ABC News in Washington, this is prime with Lindsay Davis. Good evening, everyone. I'm Lindsay Davis. Thanks so much for streaming with us. We are here in Washington, D.C. for President Trump's joint address to Congress after a whirlwind 44 days in office. Trade wars, tariffs, an unprecedented effort to reshape our federal government. 76 executive orders, a flurry of lawsuits. It's a lot to keep track of. And tonight, looking live at Capitol Hill, where President Trump will tell the American people how he plans to continue his bold agenda. A theme tonight of the address, renewal of the American dream.

And tonight, many feel the American dream is becoming out of reach. Inflation is not slowing down the trade war with our allies as CEOs of companies like Target warning the prices Americans pay for fruit and vegetables likely will rise in the next few days. Egg prices are still surging. Front and center tonight, the world's richest man, Elon Musk, who has led an unprecedented effort to reshape the federal government, trying to remake many agencies from within. And telling all federal employees to send emails laying out what they do every week. Some of those fired employees will be the guests of Democrats tonight. All of this comes as America's place in the world is being questioned by some of our allies. Our closest allies. In fact, President Trump is pulling back on all military aid to Ukraine after that Oval Office meeting on Friday with President Zelensky. And our enemy, Russia now says America's foreign policy is now largely in line with their vision. After the speech tonight, up and coming former CIA agent turned Senator Alissa Slotkin will give the Democratic rebuttal. She was one of the few bright spots for Democrats last November after winning her election despite Trump winning her state.

Our team is standing by to break it all down. And we'll hear from Majority Whip Tom Emmer and Representative Ilhan Omar this hour as well. But we begin tonight with our chief White House correspondent Mary Bruce. Tonight, as the president prepares to address the nation. The Dow plunging for the second day in a row, now down 1300 points in two days as Trump's new tariffs ignite a trade war. The president imposing a sweeping new 25% tax on all goods coming into the US from Mexico and Canada. America's largest trading partners. Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, quick to respond. I want to speak for first directly to the American people. We don't want this. We want to work with you as a friend and ally and we don't want to see you hurt either. But your government has chosen to do this to you. As of this morning, markets are down and inflation is set to rise dramatically all across your country. Your government has chosen to put American jobs at risk. Economists warn that with these tariffs, it's the American businesses who will pay for the products coming into the country and pass those costs on to American consumers.

By one estimate, the average household will spend up to $2,000 more a year on everything from produce to clothes to electronics. Today, Target's CEO warning Americans could see prices rise almost immediately on fruits and vegetables imported from Mexico. No, those are categories where we'll try to protect pricing. But the consumer will likely see price increases over the next couple of days. American farmers could soon be feeling the pain. To Canada now responding with plans for their own 25% tariff against $155 billion worth of American goods. Canadians are reasonable and we are polite. But we will not back down from a fight. Not when our country and the well being of everyone in it is at stake. Around the country, the anxiety among small business owners palpable. In Chicago, Marco Rodriguez owns a chain of candy stores that have been in his family for over 30 years. Scary. I mean, it's a scary time in our business. Everything you see around us is either imported by ourselves or we bought by ourselves in Maine and Mexico Trump has also imposed an additional 10% tariff on products from China. Heidi Skelton says that will drive up prices at her clothing store in Westwood, New Jersey.

I'm paying rent, employees paying for the clothing. So I will have no other option really, but to pass some of the charges onto my customers. China now retaliating with an additional 10 to 15% tariffs on some U.S. goods, including chicken, wheat, soybeans and beef. And calling Trump's actions bullying behavior. Mexico's President Claudia Sheinbaum saying she will announce retaliatory tariffs on Sunday. Trump tonight prepared to double down, saying he'll fight back with even more tariffs, an approach we can expect him to tout in his speech tonight.

Tariffs are easy, they're fast, they're efficient, and they bring fairness.

He says tariffs are his fourth favorite word. Mary Bruce joins us now from the White House. So, Mary, what will you be watching for President Trump to say about that tonight? Well, as you noted, tariffs have long been a cornerstone of the president's economic policies. He speaks to favorably of them often, but he's given a wide range of reasons for why he feels these new tariffs are necessary. I'll be watching closely to see what justification he offers to the American people. And of course, the big question, how much pain might Americans feel because of this and how will the president prepare them for that in his speech tonight? Lindsay? Mary Bruce from the White House, thanks so much. We'll be watching together. Let's bring our own John Santu G. And John, of course, you've known the president for a considerable amount of time. What are you hearing about his mood tonight ahead of this speech? Oh, he's in a great mood, Lindsey. I mean, from talking to senior level sources in the White House, the president has been rehearsing his speech for much of the day, I'm told. Take the over as far as how long this speech will go, it's going to be on the longer side, according to my sources.

But look, I think for the president and for this White House, this is going to be a speech that obviously they're going to hit the key pillars that we know they've been focusing on tariffs, foreign affairs, certainly going to talk about immigration. But one of the things they're going to be focusing a lot on for much of the speech will be promises made, promises kept. That for much of this speech, we're gonna see Donald Trump tick through the things that he said on the campaign trail said leading up to the November election and already point to where the administration is going. I think one of the things that I'll be watching for is how quickly Elon Musk gets a shout out in tonight's remarks. We know from that first Cabinet meeting, it wasn't a member of the Cabinet that spoke first or the vice president in that room. It was Elon Musk. And Donald Trump wants Elon Musk to keep going. So I think that's gonna be so much of what the SPE focuses on tonight. Now, look, there could be some surprises. We know that they're trying to do that. But the reality is Donald Trump's also been talking a lot the last couple of weeks.

So much in the Oval Office, so much what went on Friday in that conversation with President Zelensky. And we know, Lindsey, from our sources, that one of the things they are trying to doing is move that ball forward, find a way to come to some sort of a deal. But certainly that is going to be something we'll be waiting for some time here. Given how tense the situation is right now, of course, I'm curious how you think that this might be a different Donald Trump than the one we saw address Congress in his first term. I think this is going to be a guy that is emboldened. This is a person that, you know, is not going to be up there trying to figure it out. This is going to be a person that's looking around there and enjoying every minute of it. Look, look at Donald Trump when he took the oath of office, right? Look at the speech that he gave within the rotunda just a month ago. We can believe it, give or take. This is a guy that's going to stand in that and feel the power, feel the mandate. So I think for much of Donald Trump's remarks tonight, if there is any, you know, sign of booing or yelling or jeering from the Democrats, he's gonna blow right past it.

I mean, this is someone that actually feels very much emboldened. You know, the way I explained it to somebody that asked me the other day, from my perspective, it's kind of like the reality of, you know, the way that we grow up and evolve. Right. Term one, we're figuring it out. We're still getting our sense on how things work. Term two, you've already seen it. There is no figuring it out, no guesswork. Donald Trump knows what he has to do and is going to execute it. John, real quick, before you go, what's the over under in the past? Clinton, I think, has the record from 2000. He went an hour and 28 minutes. You think Trump is longer or shorter. So I got a number, but it's off the record, so I can't share it with you, Lindsey. But I, I think it's going to blow past that. Okay. All right, fair enough. John Santucci, thank you. As always. Trump is likely to address, of course, US Ukraine relations tonight after that tense White House meeting with President Volodymyr Zelensky and President Trump's decision to pause military aid there. For more on that, we're joined by ABC senior White House correspondent Selena Wang.

Selena, of course, there was that awkward visit in the Oval Office, the pause on military aid, the attempts to end the war with Russia. What are you hearing about how the president will address Ukraine tonight? Yeah, Lindsey, with a really big question to watch for is whether or not President Trump is ready in this speech to try and repair relations with Ukraine's President Zelensky or if he's going to continue to criticize him. That disastrous meeting of the Oval Office, it is still hanging over Washington as we see this really dramatic rupture in relations between wartime allies. As you mentioned, the White House is now pausing all military aid to Ukraine. White House officials have told me that they are doing this in response response to Zelensky's comments in the Oval Office, which they viewed as disrespectful and ungrateful. But Russia is the one that's really benefiting from all of this as it puts them potentially in an even stronger negotiating position. Something else to watch for, Lindsey, is how President Trump talks about Zelensky versus Putin. It was just days ago that President Trump falsely blamed Ukraine for starting this war. And Trump still has not made clear what Russia needs to concede to end this war, even though Russia is the one that invaded Ukraine.

And we know that there was reporting that the mineral deal fell through on Friday, could actually be signed shortly, even as soon as today. What do we know where this stands at this hour? Yeah, you just heard John Santu g touching on that. The White House team is really working hard to try and get this signed as soon as possible. Last we heard is that they were aiming to get this signed before the speech tonight, but we were cautioned that everything is in flux and this is still subject to change. So this is a deal that would have Ukraine share the revenue from its mineral resources with the United States. These are rare earth minerals that are critical for technologies, including your smartphone and electric vehicles. Now, what's unclear here is if this minerals deal is also going to include any security guarantees. Ukraine's President Zelensky has emphasized that they need a security backstop from the United States to ensure that Putin doesn't invade Ukraine. Again, this is something that President Trump so far has not agreed to. And he said that he believes Putin wouldn't break a deal if he's the one that was negotiating it.

And when it comes to this minerals deal, President Trump sees this as a way for Ukraine to pay the US Back for the billions of dollars in military aid and support. All right, Selena Wang for us. Thanks so much. Washington bureau chief Rick Klein joins us now. Rick, the economic front, center, front and center, of course, on many minds tonight, we've grown accustomed to seeing and hearing from President Trump really on a daily basis. But today he's been tucked away at the White House. What can you tell us about the final preparations and his overall mood heading into tonight's joint address to Congress? Yeah, Lindsey, by all accounts, he's in a good mood. He's been joking behind the scenes a little bit. And I think in his interactions that he's had with members of Congress, it clear that this is a man who feels emboldened, empowered at this moment. And it's in part because he has dominated almost every single news cycle since he became president. You're right about how unique today is. Unusual today is that he has been really nowhere in the public sphere by design, but his actions are everywhere. To see how he's driving world affairs with Ukraine and with Israel, to see how he's driving economic conditions with the stock market and the Canadian reaction to his tariffs.

He is in the middle of the action. And when he speaks tonight, he'll again have that opportunity to move action. But it is unusual in the sense that we've heard so much from him tonight. There's a bit of a question about how much a speech like tonight can matter, given how much other news and noise has been made around him. And of course, Elon Musk expected to be in the chamber tonight, as well as his Doge team. They've all been busy amid the firing of federal workers. We're now learning that the Trump administration is preparing to try to sell hundreds of government buildings, including the Department of Justice, the FBI headquarters. What can you tell us about this and the potential impact. Yeah, Lindsey, to zoom out, I think the biggest surprise to me covering the first couple weeks of the Trump administration is the sustained and continual impact of Elon Musk. And the way that they that he and his team have been given basically free rein and been deferred to by the president and given these powers is extraordinary. And I think I'll be looking to see how he has singled out, assuming he will be tonight in that public display of support for the world's richest man, who's now one of the world's most powerful men, even though in this chamber filled with elected officials, he actually hasn't been elected to anything.

He has, though, been empowered with this vast new responsibility. And yes, that includes potentially putting government buildings on the auction block to help alleviate, in their view, the national debt. A lot of controversial moves that the courts and Republican lawmakers have been very slow to catch up to. All right, Rick Klein, our thanks to you. We'll be talking with you later on tonight. And now we want to bring in Congressman Emmer. And Congressman, thank you so much for joining us tonight. Of course, President Trump putting the finishing touches on his. Can you hear us, Congressman?

I can hear you, Lindsey.

All right. Very good to have you on. Really appreciate you taking the time. Of course, you've lauded the president's new investments in American manufacturing. But in response to these new tariffs, American manufacturers and retailers, from auto dealerships to the CEOs of, of Target, they're already warning that these price increases will be passed on to American consumers in the coming days. Are you concerned about the damage that these tariffs could cause?

Well, we're always concerned about the reaction to the tariffs, but Donald Trump campaigned on this, Lindsey. He said he wants free trade, but he wants it to be fair. And our trading partners have not been fair. If you're going to put 200% tariffs on something from our country going into Canada, it's only common sense that Donald Trump says, guess what, we're going to do the same thing to you. We're going to treat you the way you're treating us. It looks to me like the response is we like taking advantage of the US and we're not willing to give that up. They don't understand. This is what Donald Trump campaigned on. This is what Americans expect in this tool. They're going to have to come to the table and resolve this so that Americans can be treated fairly around the world when we try to access other markets.

How are you encouraging your constituents and businesses back home to prepare for the possibility of shortages or price hikes?

Well, look, a lot of this is just posturing at this point. I had a produce guy tell me today when it comes to Mexico, they've got three or four months that they're producing right now. We're producing in California, we're producing in Arizona, we're producing in Florida. We're producing Planting all kinds of specialty crops in different places, preparing for it. So I think a lot of this is disruption because people voted for change. This is what they voted for. And I get it. These CEOs aren't used to this sort of thing, so their reaction right away is a negative reaction. That's fine.

This will stabilize.

And Donald Trump, who is going to continue to fight for the American people.

So we have free and full access.

To markets around the globe, he will ultimately get this done.

You know, I understand that President Trump suggests that, you know, there was a mandate for all of this, but by and large, people said that, you know, the economy was really the issue, that they didn't have the extra money to pay for groceries and the rising prices of eggs. And now economists, who, as you know, rarely agree on most things pretty much unilaterally, economists say that tariffs are going to drive prices up. And I'm just curious how your constituents are responding to that.

Well, a lot of economists in my lifetime are a lot like weather people.

It doesn't matter whether they're right or wrong.

They always have a story to tell when it comes to this. This is a very simple thing. Donald Trump uses tariffs as a tool.

A tool to make it clear to.

Our trading partners, our friends around the globe, that we're done being taken advantage.

Of, that we are now going to.

Be treated fairly just like everybody else. We want to see the world markets work, but not at the expense of Americans. Donald Trump's going to keep fighting for Americans. If there is a short term disruption, I think it only makes Donald Trump stronger because he not only campaigned on this, but he warned Americans that our trade partners only care about themselves. They don't care about Americans. So he's going to fight for them. He promised this and he's going to deliver.

As you know, Canada currently sends electricity to one and a half million homes in states including Michigan, New York, and your home state of Minnesota. And Ontario's premier has already responded to the President's tariffs by slapping a 25% export tax on that electricity. What message do you have? Your constituents who are already concerned about their cost of living?

Well, I have a message for Canada, which is we're friends.

Why do you want to stop our.

Ag industry from having access to your markets? Why do you want to stop the timber industry from having access? They have huge tariffs on all kinds of U.S. goods.

And Lindsey, it just.

That's not fair. So if they're going to try to defend it by making it tougher on Americans, I think that just makes Donald Trump's point and frankly, it's not going to end well for Canada. Let's get this thing back on track. Let's stop with the, the adversarial approach as opposed to the common sense approach that Donald Trump is taking.

We will treat you the way you treat us. Let's be fair with each other. Let's talk about bridging political divides here. Minnesota went to Kamala Harris in the 2024 presidential race. There's local reporting in your district that concerned constituents are saying that you were a no show at a local town hall last week. How will you seek to unify voters in your own district despite how they voted?

Yeah, look, I do town halls, but you're reporting on something that wasn't a town hall. Those were paid activists that were notifying.

Or noticing a town hall that they.

Were having while I was in session doing my job. So you guys should probably do some more investigation into what's actually going on there. I do the constituent services work. This is a customer service business. And I serve the Customers of Minnesota 6th district as well as anyone could.

Understood. All right. House Majority Whip Tom Emmer, always appreciate your time coming on the show. Thank you so much.

Thank you, Lindsey.

President Trump is also expected to tout his administration's efforts to secure the southern border and claim that crossings and apprehensions have dramatically decreased. The president posted on Truth Social this weekend saying, quote, the invasion of our country is over. Could this be a snippet of what we'll hear from him tonight? ABC News national correspondent Maria Villarreal joins us now from Texas. Maria, before we dive into immigration, Representative Emmer said that he spoke to produce produce person about tariffs, but you're hearing a different reaction in Texas. You know, Lindsey, I'd like to know who his produce person is, because I was on the phone all day long with farmers, ranchers, growers, and for that matter, produce association presidents all day long. And on top of that, restaurant president associations, there is some real fear here in Texas that there is going to be not just tariffs, but, but a ripple effect that could potentially shut down restaurants and legacy owned ranches and farms down in South Texas. You know, the bigger concern is how quickly this is going to be put into effect. Already, you know, we have transportation companies that are sending notes to farmers basically saying, listen, we have no other choice but to start to weave in these tariffs into what you are already paying the high price of just getting, you know, produce from Mexico into the US So the idea that this isn't Going to directly impact us very quickly, I think, is probably a, you know, misconception.

This is someone that, you know, obviously represents people out of Minnesota, but we're talking people that live on the border that are working the farms down there right now and saying it is already starting to affect us. President Trump has claimed that there's been a 94% decrease in border crossings since he became president. Explain those numbers for us. So this is information that was recently given out by the new Border Patrol chief. He basically was comparing numbers from February of this year to February of last year, and we have seen a considerable decrease. However, you have to put those numbers into context. And that, I think, is what we are missing when the Trump administration sends out data and information, especially on apprehensions and lower numbers. I mean, we're talking about a timeframe where, yes, we were seeing a surge in December, January and February of 2024, but that was also the time when we were trying to see that border security bill be passed by Congress. And then finally, that didn't happen in late March going into April. And obviously, the president at the time, Biden administration had to put an executive order in place, essentially shutting down the border.

So what those numbers don't tell you is, is that we started to see a dramatic decrease starting In June of 2024, the previous administration. And then, yes, a credit to a lot of what we have seen along the border over the last month or so. But, but again, I think, I think it's all in the way that this is presented to the American people and the lack of context there. Also, knowing that the CBP1 app, for example, has been completely shut down and we haven't seen those legal pathways to citizenship anymore. You know, TPS has been taken away. So, basically, if you put all that into context, you do realize the numbers do seem to have decreased dramatically during the Trump administration. But really, we have to take a look at about 12 months of data. Understood. All right, Maria Villarreal, our thanks to you as always. For many Americans watching the president's address to Congress tonight, the economy will be top focus. For a look at what the President is likely to say about that and other issues, we're joined by former Trump White House Deputy Director Roma Daravi. Thank you so much for joining us.

How do you expect the president to justify the tariffs that went into effect today to an American public already concerned about the rising cost of groceries and other necessities? Well, it's important for the American people to understand where we currently are with tariffs. The US has $370 billion that we pay to countries around the world every year in tariffs, and we only receive, receive about $50 billion in return of tariffs. So this is completely unbalanced. What the President is looking to do here is create an environment of reciprocal tariffs. Less tariffs for everyone is really what we're hoping for. But sometimes you have to be tough to get the change that you want. President Trump understands what is necessary. He's operating from a position of strength. He's taking bold action. And one thing we know for sure is that what has been done throughout the history of US Government is not working. We are in a position of bloated government. The economy is, is affected because of all of this as well. So you have to take everything into account when you're considering what's going on here. And, and the last thing I'll make on tariffs is that this is not just a quote, unquote, trade war, as the media is describing it as.

This is also a drug war. The tariffs that are being put on Mexico and Canada are also going to implement strict action against the drug war that is coming over our northern and southern border. The President is expected to speak also about his Department of Government efficiency. Tonight, ABC News Live asked Alabama Republican Senator Tommy Tuberville about the mass layoffs hitting federal workers, many of them in his home state. Here's what he had to say.

Well, we're going to have to suck it up at the end of the day. And I've told people back in the state of Alabama when President Trump was running, there's going to be some tough times.

Is suck it up going to work for Americans already concerned about the cost of groceries, housing and health care? Well, President Trump has been in office for about a month and a half, so the costs will come down. Just give him a quick second to get things under control. There is a lot that we have to tackle and you'll hear about this tonight from President Trump. His plans for the future of America to become more prosperous and more affordable for every single American. You go to the voting data of the 2024 election and you'll see that swing states all went to him, that 89% of counties move to the right. This is a mandate from the American people and they understand that it might be uncomfortable for the time being. The people who don't understand that are in Washington, D.C. which is, you know, about a 95% Democrat city. So it's not too surprising that have the pulse, their finger on the pulse here, but the rest of America is on board, and they understand the sacrifices that have to be made in order to create a more prosperous country for everyone. Since Doge posted its wall of Receipts to support the savings the initiative claims to have cut from government contracts, they've had to reduce the total alleged savings from $16 billion to $9 billion.

How are people expected to believe the president's and Doge's claims of efficiency with these kinds of drastic mistakes? Well, Elon Musk said himself the mistakes will be made, and he wants to be able to correct that. Change is going to take bold action, like I said, and that's what you're going to continue to see. But the broader picture here is that there is fraud, waste and abuse throughout the government. And this is not something that's going to be fixed overnight, but it is going to take really decisive action to make anything change. Washington, D.C. the swamp, as President Trump loves to call it, is a machine that has been operating dysfunctionally for decades. And it really was not until he came down the escalator in 2015 that anyone in this city woke up and realized they're going to be held accountable. He made a lot of progress in his first term, but it is certainly not finished. And he does have a lot more work to do. So I think everyone is on the edge of their seat waiting to hear what he's going to share this evening. But just in the last month and a half, a lot of progress has already been made.

It is not all about Doge. He is bringing hostages home. He is having hundreds of billions of dollars of private sector investment committed to coming back to the United States of America. You have US Steel, organic companies saying that they are excited about the steel tariff that's coming to, you know, overseas because that's going to bring more jobs back to America. So all of this is part of President Trump's plan. He has written and explained the art of the deal. I'm just waiting to see if Washington catches up to where he's at with that. All right, former White House Deputy Director Roma Duravi. We thank you so much. Joining us now, Democratic strategist Donna Brazile. Donna, good to see you here. A recent Gallup poll released this week shows that President Trump's job approval rating is at 45%, just barely higher than his 40% approval rating during his first term in 2017. Of course, you've prepared presidents for these types of speeches. What do you think that Trump's message will be tonight? And secondly, what do you think it should be? Well, first of all, it's time for the president to address all Americans, not just those Americans who voted for him, but all Americans.

Look, the tariffs as we know them.

Will be a net tax increase on the American people.

We're going to likely have to spend.

Another twelve hundred dollars a year from everything from our grocery bills to T shirts to crude oil to, you name it. I mean, God forbid if my refrigerator breaks down right now. So I think the president tonight needs to explain to the American people what he's doing to lower the cost of living.

He ran on that.

He ran on a promise to fix things, but it looks like he's breaking everything that he touches. And you know, so many people in Congress, there's been talk about Democrats walking out of the speech tonight, not showing up at all. What do you think the right approach is? Of course, others have said they're going to wear either black is a sign of, of mourning. Others have said they're going to wear pink. What's the right approach here? Look, this is about their own conscience and their own individual responsibility to pay attention to the, to their constituents. This is not about performative outrage. We know there's a lot of that that comes sometime from the Republicans, especially under the Democratic administration.

I think the most important thing is.

To be respectful, to hear the president out, but be prepared to tell the American people the truth, tell them about the policies, the impact, the fact that.

Donald Trump and Elon Musk, they're foreign.

Ranchers, scientists, lawyers, accountants, cybersecurity experts, many of them without notice because they're trying to achieve a goal that might not.

Necessarily be achieved by just chopping off.

The head of government rather than going.

And making sure that you can cut the fat and save some money for the American people. So I think he has a lot.

Of explaining to do. But we know Donald Trump.

He loves the microphone.

He loves the teleprompter.

So I'm sure he's going to be.

A little bit of witty, but at the same time, I hope he's a lot. He's serious and he understands what's at.

Stake at this moment for the American taxpayers.

All right, Donna Brazile, thank you so much for your insight and time as always. Joining us now from Capitol Hill is Congresswoman Elon Omar of Minnesota. Congresswoman, thank you so much for coming on the show. President Trump says that he's going to tell it like it is tonight. Let's start by giving us a sense of who you're with and what your expectations are for his speech. Yeah. Thank you so much for having US I am with Chris Wicker, who is a constituent, a veteran public servant who was fired twice by the Trump administration. He used to work for the Small Business Administration trying to make sure the dreams of entrepreneurs are realized and that they are able to have the American dream. And now he is out of a job. And so, sir, I'm curious what you make of that because renewal of the American dream is the theme for tonight. Are you starting to feel that that dream is out of touch? Yeah. For me, personally, this doesn't feel like the dream that I imagined. I volunteered as a military veteran to rejoin the federal government in a public service capacity. And only eight months into that job, I was fired completely without reason under the excuse of poor performance when I had written reviews that showed otherwise.

And so I've not only lost my dream job, but I've lost my ability to serve the community that I care about the most and the small businesses that I care about the most. All right, Chris, thank you. And Congresswoman, the government funding deadline, of course, as you know, rapidly approaching March 14th. The President and some top Republican leaders are endorsing a short term bill to fund the government through September. But they need, of course, Democrats to get over the line. Would you support House Minority Leader Jefferies gambling with a government shutdown in an effort to, to rein in doge and the dismantling of the federal government? I think it is really important to remember that the economic cage chaos that we are seeing, the markets failing, unemployment rising for, for so many people, not just my constituents, but folks around the country, this now crisis that we have with tariffs that is threatening the 22 trillion, $22 billion trade that Minnesota has with, with Canada is going to be further exasperated if we have a government, government shutdown. So I've always been, you know, the kind of person that believes we have to do everything that we can to keep the government running because there are so many people who rely on the services that the federal government provides.

What, what I am most worried about is us doing our work and then the Trump administration saying, we're not going to fund the programs that you've already already funded. We're not going to have the resources go to the American people that you wanted. We're not going to continue to employ the veterans that are supposed to be prioritized when it comes to employment in our federal government. So that is the concern. And we want the Republicans who are in charge of the House and the Senate to exercise the power that they have to create the balance and the checks that should exist in our system and exercise their authority to sue on behalf of Congress. This president, who is not recognizing our Article 1 authority and has now created a constitutional crisis that we all are trying to figure out how to get this country out of. And Christopher, want to bring you back in here. You know, President Trump has said time and time again that there was a mandate that voters want him to cost cut costs and make things more efficient. Did you ever think when he was elected that that meant that your job was going to be on the line?

Yeah, I'm a businessman by trade, and this is no business strategy that I'm aware of. This idea of fire first and aim later doesn't work for the small businesses we have in Minnesota. And I don't see how it could possibly work for the government either. I think that what's really important is that federal workers who go to work every single day as patriotic Americans trying to do the best job they can for communities are not being demonized on TV by the people they trust the most. All right, Congressman Omar and Mr. Wicker, we thank you both so much for your time. Really appreciate it. Thank you for having us. Thanks so much. In the first six weeks of his second term, Donald Trump and Republicans have sought to upend many foreign and domestic policies which have guided American society since World War II. During his address to Congress a short time from now, President Trump is expected to tout those new policies, often coming by executive orders increasingly being challenged in lawsuits. Reporter Jay O'Brien digests it all tonight in our Prime Focus. This was just a month and a half ago at inaugural festivities, moved inside because of the January cold.

The first images of President Donald Trump in the first hours of his second term signing a flurry of executive orders.

That's a big one.

If you thought it's been longer than just six weeks, you could be forgiven. Time in President Trump's second term has seemed to race by, thanks to a daily deluge of headlines, many shaking the American political fabric to its core.

So this is January 6th. These are the hostages, one of those.

First major moments centering on that violent chapter in the final days of Trump's last term, the January 6 Capitol attack. Trump granted sweeping pardons and commutations for nearly 1600 defendants charged in connection with the riot, including violent offenders and those convicted of seditious conspiracy, like Oath Keepers founder Stewart Rose. What's your message to President Trump again, Mr. Rose? Thank you. Republicans largely defended the movement, but what about those who assaulted police officers and were pardoned by the president? I haven't seen any.

I haven't gone to the details, but.

There are those pardons that exist starting in the early hours of this administration. Trump signing more than 70 executive orders so far, taking a sledgehammer to federal diversity, equity and inclusion policies, scrubbing DEI language from federal websites, even leading to the cancelation of some Black History Month events. Another order threatening federal funding for care for transgender youth and another seeking to end birthright citizenship. Many of those moves now tied up in litigation and put on hold by judges. The administration also moving swiftly to fulfill the president's campaign promise of mass deportations, pledging to ramp up ICE arrests, deploying troops to the southern border, sending more migrants to be housed at Guantanamo Bay and deporting thousands of others. And pushing hard on another signature campaign pledge, sweeping trade tariffs.

We may have short term, some little pain, and people understand that. But long term, the United States has been ripped off by virtually every country in the world.

The president threatening the country's two biggest trading partners, Canada and Mexico, with 25% tariffs because of what he says are lax border and drug policies. On the morning of tonight's joint address to Congress, those tariffs snapping into place, the stock market plunging and another signature Trump proposal still generating headlines came after this surprise moment at a news conference with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. President Trump pitching a plan for the US to own Gaza, decimated by the brutal Israel Hamas war.

I don't want to be cute. I don't want to be a wise guy, but the Riviera of the Middle east, this could be something that could be so bad, this could be so magnificent.

The moment causing concern reverberating across the Middle East. Trump promising no U.S. troops on the ground. But taking center stage in these first few weeks of White House drama is billionaire Elon Musk at the helm of the Department of Government Efficiency, or doge, orchestrating the firing of thousands of federal workers and an overhaul of the US Government. The backlash swift. Save federal workers. Federal workers protesting in D.C. and across the country. Tyranny is rising in the White House and Republican lawmakers facing tough questions at home in their districts. We are all freaking pissed off about this. You're going to hear it and feel it. Demonstrators, including Democratic members of Congress trying to push their way into federal office buildings for answers. We're members of Congress. Musk, even more than Trump, considered by many opponents the architect of this governmental chaos. Is this what you voted for? Is this what you really want? Some unelected bajillionaire coming in and deciding to cut things he had never heard of until yesterday. Elon Musk doesn't even know my job exists. Right. I'm a public servant and I do this job because I love it. In a meeting last week, Trump and his cabinet applauded the world's richest man, even as some federal departments privately expressed concern with how fast Doge is moving to gut the government through it all.

Republicans not wavering, asserting Trump is in charge, not Musk. What makes you so sure he's not calling the shots down? Republicans won the election. President he doesn't have any authority to. I mean, maybe, maybe the president, he's framing it as if he does. Well, of course, sure. I mean, but you know, that's a little form of self promotion. The president notching some key victories, getting every member of his hand picked cabinet confirmed except former Florida Congressman Matt Gaetz, briefly tapped for Attorney General. But a handful of Republican senators defecting on key votes and the nomination is confirmed. Secretary of Defense nominee Pete Hegseth needing a last minute tie breaking vote from Vice President J.D. vance to push his nomination across the finish line. So help me guide other controversial choices like Robert F. Kennedy Jr. For Health and Human Services and Tulsi Gabbard for Director of National Intelligence, all confirmed largely along party lines. Trump's Cabinet now vowing overhauls to key systems like the government's health infrastructure, Justice Department and relations between the US and the rest of the world on critical issues like the war in Ukraine as that country's future hangs in the balance and the president promises a peace deal.

Tensions boiling over last week on camera in the Oval Office between Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, a wartime leader that Trump has called a dictator.

You're not in a good position. You don't have the cards right now with us. You start having cards right now, you don't have your playing cards. You're gambling with the lives of millions of people.

In the aftermath of that Oval Office shouting match, Trump with this observation.

This is going to be great television. I will say that.

So much of these first few chaotic weeks playing out before those blinding lights of the cameras. And on one of his biggest stages yet, Trump promising to tell it like it is in tonight's joint address. His second term saga still in its first act. And it's anyone's guess what happens next. We will soon see our thanks to Jay O'Brien for that. Coming up, the new threat to shut down the government is on the horizon. If congressional leaders can't strike a deal in the next 10 days. And from the cost of groceries to the role of money in politics. What Democrats and Republicans are now telling pollsters about the issues that matter most to them. I'd never seen that many skeletal remains. Thousands. This killer, he's the dumber you've never heard of?

There were mannequins, almost like it was a club.

I felt the presence of evil. Never before a face to face interview with a camera. Why now? Let me ask you. Am I the evil culprit? The accomplice? I'd like to know how the audience views me.

The Fox Hollow murders.

Playground of a serial killer. Only on Hulu. It started with a spark. Getting that golden ticket today. Good luck. I'll have the gone tick will change my life. I know you're nervous. Show me a place where dreams come true. I've never seen anything like it. You're going to Hollywood. My dream came true. There are surprises in every person. My dreams come true.

GMA Friday morning.

Here we go. Ready for a little Gaga? Abracadabra. Abracadabra from her new music. Everyone's waiting for you. Call it mayhem. Yes. What does this album tell us about the phase of life you're in right now? To life with her fiance. How's the wedding planning going? Oh, my gosh. It's Gaga as you've never seen before. Provocative, strong, sensational.

Friday morning. I could dive with a smile now.

Because I'm hanging out with you.

Me too. Only on Good Morning America.

Friday night. David Muir reporting. We take you inside two cases. A mother just 19 years old. She was trying to protect her daughter. She fought like hell. Another case is a beloved teacher. Her whole future ahead of her. Mysterious cold cases. It gives you chills even today. Yes. What links both of those cases is the cutting edge forensic technology inside this lab. It sounded like science fiction at the time. Can they be solved? You'll see it unfold right here as they unmask the killer in both cases, catching the killers. 2020 Friday on ABC. Look at where we are. Practicing medicine on the ocean. It's heaven on earth, right? We are surrounded by a shark. We can't move and we can't send a distress signal. I'm 110% ready to fall in love. Tall, handsome, smart. He's perfect. Time just stood still. It's kind of already sinking in that these other girls are dating my boyfriend. Everybody just really wants Rant and we're all fighting for his love. You act like you don't care. He knows how I feel. I know I'm in trouble. Everyone's so mean. I did not know how hard this was gonna be.

Hoist, Auntie oh. Is how your father's business works. The life of crime and the life of this deli.

We're innocent. We'd be the first innocent brown people in jail.

Oh, my God.

There's a gun in the credenza. Finish him off now.

What? What, What? What part of this are you not understanding?

Credenza? If I'm being honest, I don't think.

I know what that is. Reporting from the path of Hurricane Helene in Tallahassee, Florida, I'm ikeajotchi. Whoever the story is, take you there. You're streaming ABC News Live. Welcome back, everyone. The sweeping tariffs on goods from China, Mexico and Canada that went into effect today are sure to keep the economy front and center in many people's minds when President Trump delivers his address to Congress later tonight. Already economic issues are a top concern for a majority of Americans, according to a recent Pew survey. Here's a closer look by the numbers. More than 75% of Americans think the economy is in fair or poor condition, with a majority of Republicans and Democrats identifying several economic issues as a very big problem. And 63% say inflation is a very big problem. Republicans and Republican leaning independents are even more likely to worry about inflation, with 73% calling it a very big problem. For all voters, the cost of groceries is a major focus. 43% expect the cost of groceries to get even worse this year, and less than a fifth are optimistic that prices will improve. There's some agreement about other top issues as well. About half of both Republicans and Democrats see the ability of parties to work together, drug addiction and the state of moral values as very big problems.

And 72% of all voters say the right role of money in politics is a very big problem. The highest share of any of the dozens of issues in the survey. But deep partisan divides remain on other issues like immigration, gun violence, climate and racism. Coming up, what President Trump may have to say about those economic concerns in his address to Congress just a little more than an hour from now. Stay with us. A 12 year old girl fighting for her life stabbed 19 times. Her two so called friends accused of the heinous crime. How did a sleepover end? In a brutal attack. Now, 11 years later, with the two girls who brutally stabbed her. One released and free and one about to be released inside the case that gripped the nation and still captivates true crime junkies worldwide. It is everywhere. And our jaws were on the floor. Surviving Slender man now streaming On Hulu Thursday. We have a possible hostage situation at his location. There's nobody here. 911 is back. Something's not right. Almost nothing is right about it. As its most intense season yet continues. Zip ties, broke blood. He's a damn serial killer.

And it looks like he took Maddie with him. We're going to find her.

The 912 part return begins Thursday, 8, 7 Central on ABC and stream on Hulu.

Boys.

Auntie.

Oh. This is how your father's business works. The life of crime and the life of this deli.

We're innocent. We'd be the first innocent brown people in jail.

Oh my God.

Gun in the credenza. Finish him off now.

What, what, what, what part of this are you not understanding?

Credenza? If I'm being honest, I, I, I don't think I know what that is.

Attention teachers. No child is to be sent to the principal's office today. Kids, if you want to do crimes, now's the time. Happy birthday. Weren't there like four more of these? Yeah, we were robbed. Hey, buy three, get one free. Imma call your mother on you. Bring the rest back here. Boy, I'd never seen that many skeletal remains. Thousands. This killer, he's the Dahmer you've never heard of?

There were mannequins, almost like it was a club.

I felt the presence of evil. Never before a face to face interview with a camera. Why now? Let me ask you. Am I the evil culprit? The accomplice? I'd like to know how the audience views me. The Fox Hollow murders.

Playground of a serial killer.

Only on Hulu. Look at where we are. Life could be a dream. Practicing medicine on the ocean if our it's heaven on earth, right? We are surrounded by a shark. We can't move and we can't send a distress signal. Welcome back, everyone. Americans awoke to a new reality today when President Trump imposed tariffs against our largest trading partners, Canada and Mexico. And looming just 10 days from now, the threat of a government shutdown. Can it be avoided? Joining us now, it's a bogo night. Buy one, get one free. ABC News D.C. reporters Jay O'Brien and Elizabeth Scholzley both join us now. And Jay, let's start with you. Of course. We haven't had a federal government shutdown in more than six years. What do you think the chances are that we have one now? Well, as you said, Lindsey, the clock is ticking. There's not a big appetite up here on Capitol Hill for a government shutdown. But you've really got to look to Democrats here because Mike Johnson has a contingent of hardliners in his own party who always vote against temporary government funding measures to avert a shutdown. They have ideological opposition to it.

And so Mike Johnson has consistently had to turn to Democrats to pass temporary measures to keep the government funded. Last time we played this game in December, more Democrats voted for the legislation, legislation to keep the government funded than Republicans did. But one of the rumblings we're hearing from Democrats now is because they have such strong opposition to what they're seeing out of this administration and in particular the thousands of firings of federal workers by Elon Musk and Doge. There are some rumblings that Democrats would consider gambling with withholding their votes and potentially prompting a government shutdown to try to extract some consensus concessions out of this administration. Now, these are just rumblings. We haven't heard it from the vast majority of House Democrats. We haven't even heard it from House Democratic leadership. But Democrats acknowledge they have limited cards to play here. They don't control the House, they don't control the Senate. So there are limited moves they can make to try to make meaningful changes and extract meaningful concessions out of Speaker Johnson and out of President Trump. And moving on to those tariffs, Elizabeth? President President Trump likes to say it's his favorite word.

Then people said, oh well, what about love, family, country? And then he said, okay, tariffs, that's my fourth favorite word. Canada and China are already retaliating. Mexico's president says that she's going to announce retaliatory tariffs on Sunday. What kinds of concessions is President Trump looking for by starting a trade war? And Lindsey, this is a trade war. What President Trump says is that he wants to reduce the flow of fentanyl into the US Through Mexico from China and from Canada too, he says. But he also says this is about increasing American manufacturing. The idea being if businesses have to pay tariffs, higher fees for their products that are imported when they cross into the US that would incentivize companies to buy more stuff and move their manufacturing into the United States. This is a message that we heard from President Trump in his first term. But the scale of these tariffs that have just taken effect is much more broad, much more universal. They apply to the three biggest trading partners across the board. We're talking about goods that would be affected, everything from groceries to gas, shoes, electronics. Really far reaching implications. And the question for businesses, Lindsey, will be how much can they absorb those higher costs versus how much do they pass down to consumers?

Households could end up paying up to 2,000 extra extra dollars per year because of these tariffs, according to some estimates. As businesses decide if they do need to pass on those higher costs. Right. People concerned about those higher costs as well as shortages potentially. Elizabeth Scholzley J. O'Brien we thank you both so much. And that is our show for this hour. I'm Lindsay Davis. Be sure to stay tuned with us as we count down to the presidential address to Congress. President Trump's first since taking office for the second time. Getting that golden ticket today. Good luck coming out. The golden ticket will change my life. I know you're nervous. I've never seen anything like it. You're going to Hollywood. There are surprises in every person. What's good to watch? Read. Where can I get a great deal on what I'm just dying to buy? Oh, it's all right here. GMA Life. All the exclusive and buzziest celebrity good stuff. Deals and steals with amazing savings and the coolest lifestyle tips from Good morning America. Get excited. I love that so much.

It's time for GMA Life.

GMA Life. Streaming weekends on ABC News live. Your weekend just got a little better with GMA Life. I'd never seen that many skeletal remains. Thousands. This killer, he's the Dahmer you've never heard of?

There were mannequins, almost like it was a club.

I felt the presence of evil. Never before a face to face interview with a camera. Why now? Let me ask you. Am I the evil culprit? The accomplice? I'd like to know how the audience views me. The Fox Hollow murders. Playground of a serial killer or on Hulu. I'm 110% ready to fall in love. Tall, handsome, smart. He's perfect. Time just stood still. It's kind of already sinking in that these other girls are dating my boyfriend. Everybody just really want Fran and we're all fighting for his love. You act like you don't care. He knows how I feel. I know I'm in trouble. Everyone's so mean. I did not know how hard this was gonna be. Thursday, we have a possible hostage situation. There's nobody here. 911 is back. Something's not right. Almost nothing is right about it. As its most intense season yet continues. Zip Ties Bro Blood. He's a damn serial killer. And it looks like he took Maddie with him. Where to find her. The 912 part return begins Thursday 87 Central on ABC at stream on Hulu. The news never stops from Tampa. We are here tonight as hurricane Milton has just made landfall the surge just keeps coming up right on the border between Ukraine and Russia.

Downtown Tel Aviv, rockets or missiles coming in. ABC News Live everywhere. We're not far from where this rally took place, so just stick with us here. Here in London, from the front lines off the coast of Gaza, wherever the story is, we're going to take you there. You're streaming ABC News Live. ABC News Live. You're streaming. ABC News Live. ABC News Live. Streaming free everywhere. Reporting from the White House on election night, I'm Mary Alice Parks. Wherever the story is, we'll take you there. You're streaming ABC News Live. Good evening, everyone. I'm Lindsay Davis. Thanks so much for streaming with us. We are here in the nation's capital, counting down to President Trump's joint address to Congress tonight. In less than an hour, he's expected to lay out his vision for the country and America's place in the world in 44 days in office. Trade wars, tariffs, an unprecedented effort to reshape our federal government. 76 executive orders, a flurry of lawsuits. It's a lot to keep track of. And let's take a live look now at the Capitol, where the President is expected to tell the American people just how he plans to continue his bold agenda and what he calls the renewal of the American dream.

This as many Americans see that dream as out of reach. From stubborn inflation to trade war with our closest allies and the world's richest man, Elon Musk, at the center of it all to reshape the government as we know it. Plus, a sudden shift. The President pulls back all military aid to Ukraine after a shouting match with President Zelenskyy in the Oval Office on Friday as the Kremlin celebrates America's foreign policy aligning more closely with Russia's vision. Following the President's speech, we'll hear from a former CIA agent turned freshman, Senator Alyssa Slotkin, who will give the Democratic rebuttal. Our team is standing by to break it all down. And we'll be joined by Congressman Byron Donalds and political strategist Donna Brazile as well this hour. But we begin with our chief White House correspondent, Mary Bruce. Tonight, as the president prepares to address the nation. The Dow plunging for the second day in a row, now down 1300 points in two days as Trump's new tariffs ignite a trade war. The President imposing a sweeping new 25% tax on all goods coming into the US from Mexico and Canada, America's largest trading partners. Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, quick to respond.

I want to speak first, directly to the American people. We don't want this. We want to work with you as a friend and ally and we don't want to see you hurt either. But your government has chosen to do this to you. As of this morning, markets are down and inflation is set to rise dramatically all across your country. Your government has chosen to put American jobs at risk. Economists warn that with these tariffs, it's the American businesses who will pay for the products coming into the country and pass those costs on to American consumers. By one estimate, the average household will spend up to $2,000 more a year on everything from produce to clothes to electronics. Today, Target CEO warning Americans could see prices rise almost immediately on fruits and vegetables imported from Mexico. Those are categories where we'll try to protect pricing. But the consumer will likely see price increases over the next couple of days. American farmers could soon be feeling the pain, too. Canada now responding with plans for their own 25% tariff against $155 billion worth of American goods. Canadians are reasonable and we are polite, but we will not back down from a fight, not when our country and the well being of everyone in it is at stake.

Around the country, the anxiety among small business owners palpable. In Chicago, Marco Rodriguez owns a chain of candy stores that have been in his family for over 30 years.

Scary. I mean, it's a scary time in our business.

Everything you see around us is either imported by ourselves or we bought by ourselves. In Maine and Mexico, Trump has also imposed an additional 10% tariff on products from China. Heidi Skelton says that will drive up prices at her clothing store in Westwood, New Jersey. I'm paying rent, employees paying for the clothing. So I will have no other option, really, but to pass some of the charges onto my customers. China now retaliating with an additional 10 to 15% tariffs on some US goods, including chicken, wheat, soybeans and beef. And calling Trump's actions bullying behavior. Mexico's President Claudia Sheinbaum saying she will announce retaliatory tariffs on Sunday. Trump tonight prepared to double down, saying he'll fight back with even more tariffs, an approach we can expect him to tout in his speech tonight.

Tariffs are easy, they're fast, they're efficient, and they bring fairness.

Mary Bruce reporting for us there. And joining us now is Florida Representative Byron Donald. Congressman, thank you so much for joining us. Appreciate you coming back on the show. What are you expecting to hear from President Trump tonight? I think the president is going to cover all of his successes in the last 45 days, closing our border, border Crossings have plummeted since he became president of the United States. Getting men out of women's sports, something that the American people massively support, 80% of the American people support, support that. Bringing peace into the Middle east region, actually getting a deal done on getting hostages back and getting close to actually bringing an end to the war in Ukraine and then and so many other things. He has a lot to celebrate, a lot to tell the American people, but then also to call on Congress to get moving on delivering on the rest of his agenda. Business leaders and consumers as well tell us that they worry that the president's latest tariffs will only raise prices on a number of goods. Economists insist that that's exactly what will happen. How do you think that the president will try to put those fears to rest tonight?

A couple of things. Number one, we need Canada and Mexico to take our border seriously as well. We do need China to stop sending precursor material for fentanyl to Mexico. Fentanyl is the number one killer of people between the ages of 18 and 45. The President takes our security just as serious as every family in America does. And so I think the response to the American people is give us the opportunity to do the job that we talked about on the campaign trail. We are going to get this economy roaring again. We're going to get prices down. What we're having to do with tariffs in this current situation is about securing our nation, but to a broader level on tariff policy for a long time, free trade. Meantime, that there were bad trade deals where the American manufacturer, the American farmer, the American business person is being taken advantage of because other nations tariff our goods and we do not respond in kind. That's why the president laid out reciprocal tariff policy so that we can actually get to an even playing field. So we not only have free trade, but also fair trade. What's your message tonight to your concern?

Constituents who are worried about the price of groceries and say that they simply can't afford to pay any more money for just basic staples. What I would say is that we're going to get this economy roaring again. Tax policy, we're going to get that settled up here at the federal level in short order. So no tax on tips, overtime, Social Security, things that can help the American people keep more money in their pocket. Number two, when we go through the regulatory environment, which we're already starting to do with dose, we're going to expound upon that cutting regulations, that's going to help prices actually stabilize and come down. Number three, robust energy agenda in the United States drill, baby, drill is the tagline. What it means is energy dominance on the world stage. And when you have a strong energy market in the United States, that also stabilizes prices and brings them down. So that when you get to tariff policy, we are a humming economic engine who now simply are asking to be treated fairly on the world stage. On Monday, the president paused military aid to Ukraine. What role do you think that Ukraine should have with regard to the peace deal that Trump is seeking between Ukraine and Russia?

Vladimir Zelensky needs to sign the deal on, on minerals. Listen, this conflict's been going on for three years. The reality is, is that the previous administration, led by Joe Biden and Kamala Harris, they had no way of trying to even get this close to a peace deal. The, the minerals deal is the pathway to getting peace in that region. That's how you start it. Vladimir Zelensky, this is in his interest and the Ukrainian people's interest, because at some point they're going to have to rebuild Ukraine from this conflict. Better to do that with fresh investment coming into your country because of the rare earth minerals that Ukraine.

Ukraine has, which, by the way, the.

United States does need access to. So it is a good deal for both countries if you want to get the peace process moving. I would tell Vladimir Zelinsky, sign the deal. Let's get started. And before you go, of course, you announced last week your candidacy to be Florida's next governor. Governor Ron DeSantis is term limited. You've already received the president's endorsement, and you said at CPAC that you want to show the other 49 states how to get it done. Why do you believe that you're the right person to lead your state? Well, look, we've had great governors, Ron DeSantis, our current governor, Rick Scott before him. We are the, we are the mantle of how to have a free state. Have a state that doesn't blow out its budgets like New York, California and Illinois have a state where business owners want to move their businesses and their families. We're the number one state when it comes to school choice. We are the best environment to live safely in a state in our country. And so it's basically taking those items and then doing some new things, actually becoming the financial capital of the world with digital assets, Bitcoin and cryptocurrency leading the way, focusing on children being proficient in math and reading, in writing and in reasoning.

You do those things in conjunction with what we've already done as a state. Now you have a major story to tell that other states would want to follow and emulate. And a quick shout out to my friend in Ohio, Vivek Ramaswamy. He says he wants to be the best state in the country. Love you, Vivek. But you get to be number two because Florida is going to remain number one. All right. Love that, that little challenge there. Representative Donalds always appreciate your time. Good luck on the gubernatorial run. Hope to see you back on the show again soon. Of course. Thank you. Democratic strategist Donna Brazile joins us again now. Thanks for coming back on Donna. Let's talk about Senator Alyssa Slotkin of Michigan. She's a Democrat that's considered a political survivor who's giving the party's response tonight to the address. What can you tell us about her and why she was selected tonight? First of all, I think she's an incredible choice. Not only does she have a wonderful background in foreign policy, working both in the Bush and Obama administration, a CIA analyst, a veteran, she represents the heartland. She knows how to speak to those values that we all care about in this country, whether it's making sure that every American can make ends meet.

She's going to highlight some of the pain that people are now feeling as a result of some of the policy that the Trump administration. Look, I respect the congressman.

I love the state of Florida. But let me just say that there.

Are a lot of people tonight who on high anxiety.

They're worried sick not just about the.

Cost of eggs, but rent, groceries, gas.

They don't know if these taxes at.

The border, the tariffs will ruin their lives, take away their jobs. So I think the president has a lot of explaining to do. This is not a victory march tonight. This is an address to the American people.

And we have a lot of questions.

I hope he can answer it. In addition to Congressman Adriano Espallat, a Democrat from New York will deliver the Spanish language response to Trump. He's the first formerly undocumented immigrant to serve in Congress. What can you tell us about him and his message to Americans? Well, he's another rising star in the Democratic Party. You know, people have been complaining that the Democrats are spending too much time in the wilderness.

Well, we're coming out of the wilderness.

We're coming out because we're tired, we're frustrated.

And quite honestly, we have some answers. We have some answers to working families.

Across the country on what policies Democrats will fight for.

We're very concerned that these, the policies, especially in the House budget, will hurt.

People on Medicaid, take away their health care. So he's going to talk about that.

And you know, yo at Studio Espanol.

The university dlsu Miable Espinol, Muco Paquito.

I never said that on tv, but.

Let me just say I'm glad that we're able to communicate to a broader audience. And I think he is the best lawmaker. But one thing, you know, Lindsey, is that many of the lawmakers tonight, especially on the Democratic side, they're going to bring their constituents into the gallery. They want to hear from their constituents.

They're not going to hide, unlike the.

Republicans that do not want to hear from their constituents. We want to hear from everybody. We want to hear from the ranchers who are being fired, the firefighters. We want to hear from the scientists, the scientist sector, you know, the Food and Drug Administration. We want to hear from those ordinary Americans who go to work, work hard. Many of them are veterans who are losing their jobs simply because Elon Musk.

Has been given a task to cut.

Without looking at how to heal and how to make sure that we have the best workforce in America, in the world and to hablaz espanol muy bie and mirmana. Now let's move on to and let's move on to the spending fight. Of course, we've asked Democratic lawyers, all lawmakers all day long about the line in the sand when it comes to a government shutdown. Has it already been crossed? Do you think the Democrats will walk away from the bargaining table and should they? Look, Democrats have bailed the Republicans out.

Over the last two years.

The 118 Congress was a Congress that Democrats not only helped. Speaker Mike Johnson, fellow LSU graduate, of course they bailed him out.

They bailed him out in his speaker job.

They bailed him out with, with the debt ceiling. They, they have bailed the Republicans out time and time again. But the one thing they will not do is pull the rug from under the American people, especially those hard working Americans.

And they're not going to allow these.

Deep tax, these deep cuts and the social safety net in order to give.

Millionaires and billionaires more spending money.

They want to make sure that the American people can make ends meet.

And that's the obligation of not just Democrats but Republicans.

We have to serve the American people, not serve the small, narrow interests of a few. All right, Donna Brazile, appreciate your time. Adios para ahora. Hasta luen. Gracias. And for more on what this speech could mean for Ukraine, we bring in ABC chief White House correspondent Selena Wang. Selena, President Zelensky just today called what happened at that White House meeting on Friday, regrettable. And said Ukraine valued how much America has done to help them and that they're ready to return to negotiations. I imagine Ukraine will be closely watching what President Trump has to say tonight. They're going to be watching this very closely. And Lindsey, the statement today from Zelinsky makes it very clear that he wants to repair this relationship with the United States with President Trump. He really heaped praise on the president, saying that he admires his strong leadership thinking and saying he was grateful for US Military support and also stressed that he wants to work with the United States to quickly bring this war to an end. That is really President Trump's priority. Remember when he was campaigning, he said that he could end this war in 24 hours. But it's unclear, Lindsey, if all of those words are going to be enough to move Trump to get him to reverse course on that pause on military aid.

Now, the interesting dynamic here, though, is that even though Trump wants this war to end quickly, many military analysts say that his moves, including the decision to pause military aid, could actually have the opposite effect since Putin could be more incentivized to keep on fighting a weaker Ukraine. And we have a split screen there. We can see a live view of people starting to walk into the Capitol in anticipation of, of the president's address tonight. Celine, if and when that mineral deal is signed, what would that mean in terms of US Ukrainian relations after that White House meeting and talks of ending the war? So when I talk to Trump administration officials about this minerals deal, they really see it as a way for the US to be invested in the long term future of Ukraine. They believe it is beneficial to Ukraine for the economies to be linked more closely together. And Trump has also emphasized that he thinks this is a way for Ukraine to pay America back for the billions of dollars in US Military aid. Now, we were hearing from sources last we heard that they're aiming to get this deal signed as early as tonight, but no final decision has been made.

A big question here, though, is the details in this minerals deal. We know that it includes Ukraine sharing revenue from its rare earth minerals, but Ukraine has said that they also need more than that. They need security, security guarantees from the US to ensure that Putin doesn't try to invade Ukraine. Again, Trump so far has not committed to that, and he said before that he believes Putin isn't going to break a deal if he's the one negotiating it, even though Putin has broken deals in the past. Lindsey, it'll be very interesting to see if he's able to make that announcement today, perhaps that a mineral deal has been signed. All right, Selena Wang, our thanks to you. I want to bring back in Washington Brooklyn chief Rick Klein. And Rick, let's take a step back politically, what's at stake for President Trump tonight. Lindsey, we've seen the president by his own judgments or his own metrics around popularity. He's been riding relatively high in modern American politics. It's hard to be above water, and he's been there slightly above water the last couple of weeks. But it's a time of tremendous tension. If you just think about the turmoil on the world stage, the turmoil on the economic front with the tariffs, there is so much that is up in the air right now.

And I think a lot of Americans who may have voted for Donald Trump are worried still about what it all means. And Trump thrives when there's a lot of chaos around him. And he has gotten that. And often there's a method to it. Not always, but I think tonight is an opportunity for him to stitch some of it together and explain this is what's going on. This is why you're seeing what you are out of Ukraine. This is why you're seeing what you are out of the tariffs and hope that people will be with him. He doesn't, he doesn't really have to worry about the audience in the room in a direct way because they're very much loyal to him. But he will have to worry about their votes at some point. And he does have to worry about public opinion because so much of that support that he enjoys inside the House chamber is derived from the perception that he is so popular outside of it, not just with the Republican base, but with independents. And the fact that he comes into this room for the first time having won the popular vote as president, that's a big thing and it's a big deal and a big marking point for a lot of those members of Congress.

Many eyes will be on Elon Musk in the chamber tonight. What are you watching for with regard to Elon? Well, what the president says about him. It is astounding that for all of the powerful people with all the titles that someone that doesn't have a government job at all and hasn't been elected to anything in Elon Musk that might be as powerful as the president himself, certainly his power is reflected through Trump. But what exactly is said about him and the fact that so many Democrats are bringing people who lost their jobs in the last couple weeks because of the Department of government efficiency makes for kind of an interesting split screen or some interesting sightlines. Elon Musk is someone who's been championed so far by Donald Trump. Unclear if he's going to be a major part of this administration throughout, but at least for tonight, I'd expect him to be center stage, if not literally, then certainly in the president's mind. All right, Rick Klein, always appreciate your insight. Thanks so much. Thanks, Lindsay. In his address tonight, President Trump is also likely to address his commitment to mass deportations. One of the most recent raids less than 24 hours ago right here in the Washington, D.C. area.

Our Rachel Scott was there embedding with agents from ice, the FBI and other agencies as they made arrests. Here's ABC senior political correspondent Rachel Scott. Tonight, the president preparing to tout his signature promise, the largest deportation effort in American history. And well before dawn, we were on the front, front lines and we want to be rolling by 0345. The administration says they are going after the worst. First, they tell us their target here in Northern Virginia, a Guatemalan man in the country illegally with a criminal record. Almost 4am and we are now rolling ICE agents say the subject of the investigation today, a known member of the 18th street gang. We are there as heavily armed agents, guns drawn, use flashbangs to get inside, leading the suspect out in cuffs, loading him into a waiting patrol car. Authorities say they've arrested more than 20,000 people since Trump took office. ICE and Border Patrol say more than 43,000 are held in detention. But amid this push, thorny questions emerge as we see on the second raid of the morning, multiple agencies on the ground right now, the FBI, the D dea, the atf. You can see the agents inside right now, armed agents seen through a window making another arrest.

Well, this target here was wanted for sexual assault and for battery. Multiple re entries into the country. But also in the home, his two American children and his brother, who authorities say is also undocumented but has no known criminal record. That brother can now be deported, too. We asked Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noemi, what happens to the children there? Is that likelihood that these families could be shut free? There is consequences and we're giving him time to leave these children with someone else. All right, Rachel Scott, for us there, President Trump is also expected to tout his administration's efforts to secure the southern border and claim that crossings and apprehensions have dramatically decreased. The president posted on Truth Social this weekend saying, quote, the invasion of our country is over. Could it be a snippet of what we'll hear from him tonight. ABC News national correspondent Maria Villarreal joins us once again from Texas. So, Maria, one of President Trump's biggest campaign promises, if not the biggest one, was to secure the border and to lead what he calls the largest deportation operation in American history. We'll probably hear about that tonight. But are numbers reflecting what he promised?

You know, that's a difficult question to answer only because, because we're not really getting a ton of numbers from this particular administration. I think in the beginning, when we saw some heavy ICE raids going on and it was easy to tout the, you know, 2,000 a day, 3,000 a day, 4,000 a day, I think we were getting numbers from them. But over the last few weeks, we really haven't heard a lot. And in fact, there is some information that is being sent out by some nonprofit organizations around that look like basically right now that the administration is seen about 600 arrests via ICE throughout the country. So a considerable difference in what we saw back in January. And then when you talk about the deportations, it's the same thing. We're really not getting the numbers in order to really check him on whether or not this administration is living up to that promise. But we knew this was going to be difficult. We knew a lot of the decisions that he was making initially were probably going to get fought out in court. And then logistically, the manpower and the actual detention facility space, the courts that needed, you know, more judges and more attorneys to come into, I mean, the process in and of itself is going to be cumbersome.

So I think as of right now, Lindsey, they're moving in a positive direction to try and fulfill that campaign promise. But I'm not sure if they're there just yet. And a big part of securing the border has to do with joining forces with the Canadian and Mexican governments. What happens now that that has turned his back on the two countries we share a border with after these tariff announcements? You know, that's a really difficult question because not, not to answer it, but really a difficult question for what we are seeing on both borders because, you know, for the last six months or so, we saw a considerable change and in the amount of apprehensions along the border. But on top of that, you know, talking with people that live in these communities, both in Mexico and in the US along the border, what we were hearing from them was it feels safer, it feels like we are supported. It feels like we can kind of get back to the way things were maybe a decade or so ago. You know, we were just Speaking with a border mayor today, he tells us that his family, part of them live in Mexico.

And for a long time, they weren't going across the border because it just wasn't safe. The cartels had taken over this small community. But just in the last six months or so, he said, that has considerably changed. We've seen it on the border as well. Federal agents from Mexico who feel very comfortable in supporting what they are trying to do and the immigration reform Mexico is trying to put forth. But, you know, I do think that these tariffs and the conversation over where they will go, even if it is just for the next few days or the next week, it really puts a strain on that relationship that we've seen, you know, with not just these communities on both sides of the border, but law enforcement as well. All right, Maria Villarreal for us. Thank you so much. Coming up, President Trump is set to deliver his joint address to Congress less than an hour from now. He says he'll remake the American Dream. Our Kira Phillips takes over after this. Stay with us. Thursday, we have a possible hostage situation. There's nobody here. 911 is back. Something's not right. Almost nothing is right about it.

As its most intense season yet continues. Zip Ties, bro Blood. He's a damn serial killer. And it looks like he took Maddie with him. We're gonna.

The 9112 part return begins Thursday.

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Only on Hulu. A 12 year old girl fighting for her life stabbed 19 times. Her two so called friends accused of the heinous crime. How did a sleepover end? In a brutal attack. Now, 11 years later, with the two girls who brutally stabbed her. One released and free and one about to be released inside the case that gripped the nation and still captivates true crime junkies worldwide. It is everywhere. And our jaws were on the floor. Surviving Slenderman, now streaming on Hulu. It started with a spark. Getting that golden ticket today. Good luck. Coming up, the golden ticket will change my life. I know you're nervous. Show me a place where dreams come true. I've never seen anything like it. You're going to Hollywood. My dream come true. There are surprises in every person. 44 days, 76 executive orders, 82 lawsuits, 1500 pardons, thousands of federal workers fired. And President Trump is just getting started. Good evening, everyone. I'm Kyra Phillips. It's the speech that is supposed to rally the nation, the President's vision for the next four years. Trump is about to address Congress for the first time in his new presidency, taking the dais with a message of American renewal.

But Democrats in the audience will tell you his new golden age is actually a return to the dark age. We've got our all star panel fanned out across our nation's capital. So let's get right to it. And we want to begin with our Jay O'Brien. He starts us off. He's up there on Capitol Hill. So, Jay, what is Democratic leadership telling lawmakers about skipping tonight? So Democratic leadership said that they are going tonight. That means all House Democratic leadership, for example, like Hakeem Jeffries, the top Democrat in the House and on down. But in a letter to colleagues, Jeffrey said that going tonight is a, quote, unquote, personal choice. And we do know there are some Democrats planning to skip this as a means of demonstrating against President Trump. This administration, and in particular this overhaul of government we have seen Trump and the administration put into place, particularly those thousands of firings of federal workers orchestrated by Elon Musk and Doge, et cetera, et cetera. So for the Democrats who do show up, Jeffrey said that they should be, quote, unquote, dignified in how they react to this speech. We know that there are Democrats who are going to bring signs on various issues.

Some of Those signs, we're told, are going to be about Elon Musk, not even about Donald Trump, the person addressing the chamber. We know that Democrat after Democrat have invited fired federal workers as their guests to this speech to make a point there. And there is this possibility. We have heard these rumblings of Democrats finding other ways to make their voices heard in the chamber. It doesn't necessarily mean that there are going to be outbursts or things of that nature. But we know Democrats are going to dress all in one certain color, for instance, the Women's Caucus, all dressing in pink and things of that nature. So keep an eye on the visuals that crowd that President Trump is looking out on for another message that Democrats intend to send. And speaking of Democratic messaging, as we wait for the president to arrive, he will be stepping out right here within this live picture any moment now. Jay. But let's talk about the Democratic response. Yes, there's a lot to talk to with, with regard to. And as we're switching over the feed there, we'll get back on track. A lot of moving parts while we there we go.

We got a live picture from inside the Capitol there on the floor, but we are monitoring that one live shot where the president will be arriving. But let's just talk about before we delve into the president's speech and what he'll be talking about tonight, since we're talking about Democrats and these plans for protest, you know, will they protest? Will they not protest? How loud will they be? Will they be censored as Republicans are now threatening if they do make a scene, Will they be more powerful if they just sit there in protest by the way they look at fellow or at their Republican counterparts as they stand up and cheer for the president. Alissa Slotkin was picked for the Democratic response. Why battleground state Democrats seen as a rising star in the Democratic Party? Jay we got the president right now. We see him stepping out, getting into the car, first lady by his side as we follow the motorcade now as he makes his way to the Capitol. Moments ago, Elon Musk also apparently was with the president as he was getting ready to step out and get into the car. Maybe we start there.

The fact that Elon Musk, the Musk in the room. We must talk about just one of the many unique features of the speech tonight. This is the first time we will ever see someone like this, an invited guest on behalf of the president, somebody that was just there inside talking with the president and the first lady before stepping out to head to the Capitol. You would Think you'd be seeing the vice president alongside him before a big event like this. But it was Elon Musk. That's right. And we're getting reporting from our White House team here, Kira, that, as you noted, Elon Musk is inside the beast, is inside the presidential limousine with President Trump. And it speaks to the outsized role he is playing in this administration. Think back to that Time magazine cover that showed Elon Musk, not President Trump, but Musk, behind the Resolute desk in the Oval Office, opponents of this Doge effort and these thousands of firings and this overhaul of the federal government. I've been to these protests. Opponents of this movement say that it's Elon Musk they blame even more than Donald Trump in some instances. I've been to these protests of fired federal workers, and the chants are largely about Elon Musk, and the signs are largely about Elon Musk.

So as he steps into the chamber tonight, he will again make another notch in that solidification of how central of a role he is playing in this administration. And meantime, it comes at a time where some Republicans sitting in that chamber have gotten pushback from some of their constituents in some fiery town halls who have serious concerns about what they're seeing from Doge. And some of those Republicans have come back up here to Capitol Hill saying they have questions about Doge, they want more answers out of Elon Musk. And, oh, by the way, they're now going to meet with him, Kira, at a scheduled meeting tomorrow night to try to get some of those answers. And, you know, let's bring in Elizabeth Scholzley, who covers all things business with us. Elizabeth. I mean, we're not just talking about Doge and Elon Musk and, and all the slashing and the cutting that's already impacting our economy. But, but it's also the tariffs. You've got Elon Musk firing people and telling agencies they need to cut back and, hey, don't come back to work. But then we also were talking about tariffs. The president pushing his tariffs today on our foreign allies and what that means not only for folks that are losing their job, but now there's concern that with tariffs, they won't even be able to afford.

Afford basic necessities like tomatoes and coffee and gas. And, Kira, those tariffs could cost the typical American household, on average, $2,000 in one year because of how businesses would need to potentially pass down the higher costs that they're paying from tariffs to the consumer. And that's something that President Trump has talked about lowering prices on day one. Well, now we're looking at potentially higher prices within days on groceries, especially when you talk about those fresh imports coming from Mexico. As you say, tomatoes, avocados, strawberries, those prices. And companies like Target, major retailers, are warning that those price hikes could take effect within days. You also have the reality that there is this underlying question of how much uncertainty is being caused in the economy because of the policies from this administration. I mean, when you look at the stock market alone, Kira, it tells a big story. In the past two days, the Dow Jones Industrial Average is down 1300 points. The S&P 500, that's what tracks most Americans retirement accounts, has now wiped out its gains from the election. We saw this wave of optimism from companies and from CEOs leading up to President Trump's inauguration, expecting tax cuts and deregulation.

Well, now they're looking at some of the policies that are being put in place and they're a lot more anxious about that. What does that mean for the bottom line of companies and what will that mean for consumers and households which have powered the economy over the past couple of years? As we can continue to follow these live pictures from inside the Capitol there, Jay, where you are, you know, Democrats are considering allowing the government to shut down down now in protest of Doge J. Is that likely? Is there concern that that could backfire? Well, absolutely concern about that. And frankly, it's unclear as to exactly the move that Democrats are going to make here. We've heard some rumblings amongst congressional Democrats that some feel the only card they have to play to push back on Trump, Musk and Doge is to in some way shape or form reform, withhold their votes in a government shutdown vote. Because Mike Johnson at every turn here when he's tried to pass these temporary government funding measures, as we just did in September and we have done numerous times before, that has needed Democratic votes to get that done.

In December, Mike Johnson needed more Democrats than Republicans, more Democrats than Republicans voted for that temporary government funding measure. And so now what we've heard from some congressional Democrats is because they don't control the the House, because they don't control the Senate, they feel they have limited options. And one of those options may be gambling with holding, gambling with withholding those votes, threatening the potential for a government shutdown to try to extract concessions out of Speaker Johnson and in large part President Trump and Elon Musk. I just talked to one Democratic source earlier tonight and I asked how real of a plan is this and look, this has not been something that's been endorsed by Democratic leadership. It isn't even something that's been endorsed by a wide array of Democratic lawmakers. But this one Democratic source seemed open to it and said, quote, unquote, it's not our government to keep open. Trying to put the onus on Republicans here, Kira, to get the votes to fund the government. It doesn't look like that's likely, apparently. Jay, we're getting word the Designated Survivor. We were wondering who that could be tonight. We are. Now we know it's VA Secretary Doug Collins.

Jay, I don't know if you can see the live picture right now. Can you see the lawmakers that are making. They're walking right in front of me about three feet away. So our camera shot faces the wall, but they're walking through the middle of the room. This is the president's cabinet led by JD Vance and others in tow. Fantastic. I understand we have Selena Wang with us, our senior White House correspondent. Selena, something else that we are going to be waiting to hear from the president. That, of course is a number of foreign policy issues, specifically Ukraine. It's been what, just under 24 hours since President Trump announced that pause in military aid to Ukraine. Let's just talk about the ramifications of that. Of course, we saw an oval awful or an oval awful. There's a slip in words there. A pretty, I guess spat, uncomfortable spat in the White House between Zelensky and President Trump when talking about Ukraine. It got so ugly, Zelensky was booted out of the White House. Now apparently Zelensky wants to come back, figure out some type of deal. Is it possible that we could hear something tonight? Yeah, so many questions here.

I mean, first of all, when it comes to the speech, Kyra, I think the big question is does President Trump try to repair this relationship with Zelenskyy or is he going to continue to criticize him when it comes to a potential agreement? We are hearing from sources that actually they've been trying to get this agreement signed with Ukraine, this minerals deal as soon as tonight, but that no final decision has been made here. So that minerals deal, it would include Ukraine sharing revenues from its rare earth minerals. President Trump is casting this as a way for Ukraine to pay the US Back for billions of dollars in military aid. Trump administration officials I speak to also say they believe this is beneficial for the United States to have a long term economic stake in the future of Ukraine, but very unclear what's exactly in that deal. Kira, since Zelensky had made it very clear that they need security guarantees that it's not enough to just have this economic relationship. They need US Military security guarantees to ensure that Putin does not try to invade again. Now, that is something that President Trump has not agreed to to.

In fact, Trump has said that he believes Putin won't break his promise if it's him who's negotiating this deal. But as we know, Putin has broken deals and agreements in the past. Kyra. All right, Selena, we're going to just take folks inside now to just get a feel for the circumstances taking place. Vice President J.D. vance making his way in alongside fellow lawmakers. This, of course, is the moment he starts to shake hands, talk to various supporters, even a number of Democrats in there. Of course, not so excited about the entrance of the vice president right now. Our Rachel Scott, though, is inside the Capitol. Rachel, not sure how far you are from where we're getting this live picture, but do tell us what you see, what you're hearing and, and give us a feel just for the night as it we are moments away from the president giving his address. Well, Kira, we have made our way inside of the chamber. I am seated here along with our other reporter John Parkinson and Lauren Peller also in this chamber. And we are keeping an eye out for all the action that is unfolding right now.

Vice President J.D. vance making his way down as we anticipate, anticipate President Donald Trump's arrival. Notable this is very familiar for the vice president. Of course, he was a senator and he has been making his way not only to Republicans but also to Democrats across the aisle. You'll notice here, sitting in this chamber, a sea of pink. And that is Democrats saying that this is the color of protest and power for them tonight. The president says he's going to be telling it like it is tonight. But make no mistake about it, Kira, this is President Donald Trump's Washington. He has the majority in the House. He has the majority in the Senate, a conservative leaning Supreme Court. The Republican Party here is almost made entirely in his image. And he faces basically little to no resistance. So much so that Democrats are really struggling to find a way to try to counteract what is happening. It's also notable tonight just the guests that are going to be invited. Seated in this very chamber today will also be some federal workers who were fired as a result of the Department of Government Efficiency's actions. And of course, billionaire Elon Musk, the president's most powerful adviser.

Well, he's on his way here tonight with the president of course. And let's not forget, Rachel, four years ago, this is the exact chamber where Magus supporters desecrated democracy. I mean, what a difference four year make, four years makes. It's a remarkable turn of events, especially when we look at President Donald Trump. I mean, the last time that he stood at this podium, he had just been acquitted in his first impeachment trial. Democrats had just started their presidential primary in 2020. Covid had not even really hit the United States yet in full force. And here we are, five years later, he was impeached again. He left Washington in a shadow after January 6, after we saw rioters storm the United, United States Capitol. So many of the members sitting in this very chamber running for their lives. And then now you can't even get members of this own Congress to really agree on the events that happened that day. The President has survived two assassination attempts. He won the popular vote. And now he is back coming before this Congress once again with the Republican majorities in both chambers. Kira. And you know, let's not forget that as we see the vice president here, J.D. vance, shaking hands with all his supporters and Republicans that have been sticking very close to him and the President, we can't forget there are going to be federal workers in the room here that have lost their jobs.

Two different messages playing out as we look at the various people working their way into the room. It's not just those that support the President, the Vice President, and this renewed America that they're going to talk about, but there are many people that will fill this chamber that have lost a job, lost their livelihood, and are there to be seen and hopefully understood. Exactly, Kira. And this is going to be quite the striking balance. We are just told that Elon Musk is making his way in. And there we do see him, Elon Musk, now in this very chamber on the point that you were just making. And here we are hearing some applause, people shouting, Elon. They're trying to wave to him. This is the President's most powerful senior adviser now in this room. But he's also in this room alongside many of these fired federal workers, people that have been directly impacted by the Department of Government Efficiency and their efforts. And it's interesting because it's unclear if Elon Musk has really come face to face with any of those workers. I will tell you, one group of people who have the Republicans in this room, they have been getting an earful at some of their town halls, so much so that Republican leaders have been encouraging them to have these town halls virtually.

Now. I talked to one Republican from Georgia, Rich McCormick, who told told me that it's not just Democrats that are showing up, that it's Republicans, too. And it's not just the fact that they don't believe necessarily that the federal government needs to be downsized. He says that he does support those efforts, but the question is whether or not they're moving too quickly. I'm just spotting one Republican right now holding Adrian Smith. John Parkinson, our fantastic reporter, is reminding me, holding this sign and supportive of, of Doge. This is getting this is about to get underway. The anticipation here very high. Kira, Rachel, thank you so much. And just to note, we we do know that the president is in the holding room right now. We have seen the vice president side by side with the speaker, Mike Johnson. Also, we are told that Elon Musk, who was a part of the president's motorcade, has arrived and will be sitting in the First Lane Ladies Gallery. And we're starting to see just various shots of the guests and various lawmakers that invited them to the party here. As we continue to monitor all these live pictures and wait for the president to step up to the podium and give his remarks tonight, let's bring in our chief justice correspondent, Pierre Thomas.

You know, we were talking about those federal workers that are going to be there in the room, those that have lost their job. We have to talk about the lawsuits. Since Trump was inaugurated, his administration has been sued at least 98 times. Now, Pierre, that's three lawsuits for every business day that he's been in office. The question is, is his strategy of flooding the zone going to work?

Well, it may well, because as you know, litigation takes time. And the time that it takes, these workers, many of them are in limbo.

They're hoping that some of these courts will issue some injunctions, some rulings that will give some clarity as to what.

Can take place while the situations unfold.

And also we're seeing it across the board. Even the FBI Agents association has gone to court to take action because they're.

Concerned about the way the administration is.

Going about looking at people who worked on the January 6th related investigations. Kira.

So this is affecting people across, across.

The board throughout government. So let's talk about why we're going to see some of the Supreme Court justices, but not all of them. Pierre.

Well, again, you know, clearly, I believe the justices who were appointed by President.

Trump and the chief justice will be there. Whether some of the other justices are not showing up because of protests, we.

Don'T exactly have all the answers to that yet, Kira. But again, it's a reminder that Washington.

Is still a very partisan place, even though this is perhaps the most powerful president we've seen in quite some time.

With control of both sides of the aisle in Congress, both houses of the House and the Senate, and also a.

Supreme Court that is stocked with Republicans.

Who have been so far leaning in the direction of things the president would want to do.

Everyone remembers that crucial ruling by the Supreme Court in terms of presidential immunity, which, you know, paved the way for a enhanced President Trump who's now back in power. And Pierre, the president now has, there's a shot of Elon Musk there, who will be sitting in the first lady's gallery. Also, a huge supporter of the president has stood by his side. His pick for Attorney General, Pam Bondi. Indeed, another example of a sea change.

At the Department of Justice. We've perhaps seen the greatest overhaul of DOJ since Watergate. We have an attorney general who is very much a supporter of President Trump.

We have an FBI director who is close to being a campaign surrogate, who's.

Now the FBI director. All the past leadership in terms of the key positions at main justice, in.

Terms of even career people gone.

So this is a stunning transfer of.

Power and a new Washington, if you will. Let's talk about that new Washington with our new bureau chief. Well, he's not so new anymore. Rick Klein, also our political director. Rick, I just, I could take on so many different topics with you, but let's, let's just start with the significance of tonight. This is a very different Cabinet, shall we say, since the last time President Donald Trump was president. These are all people he's, he's handpicked. He has handpicked his, his, his Cabinet now. And his advisers and those around him didn't necessarily have that choice last time around. He was told who to have around him, who he should pick, and we saw how that turned out. How many, you know, we talk about federal workers being fired. He was firing everybody around him the first time he was president. Now he's got controversial people like Cash Patel heading the FBI and a number of folks as we look around the room here and look at live pictures that are very controversial. Lawmakers curse. Yeah, we just, we just had the picture of Cash Patel with, with Chris La Civita, the campaign adviser who's not actually on the inside of the administration.

But you're right, it is remarkable how quickly and how almost flawlessly the cabinet has been filled. But for Matt Gaetz, who was originally nominated for attorney general, but then pulled back. All of the picks that Donald Trump made for his Cabinet have been confirmed, many of them with with no opposition inside his own party. A couple of them with one or two no vote. That includes some very controversial people, including Patel, who had to be, who had to replace a sitting FBI director to even get into that role. In addition to that, Pete Hegseth, Secretary of Defense, a lot of people that I talked to thought in the immediate aftermath of that pick that there was no way that was going to happen. You've seen, and I think you see tonight that Donald Trump's party is ascendant in Washington. This is a divided country, but the Republicans, Republicans control Washington. The visual right now of Vice President Vance and Speaker Mike Johnson will be flanking Donald Trump during the speech tonight tells you what you need to know. And the fact that a couple of Democrats aren't showing up changes the math slightly. And even though this is a divided Congress, you're going to see very much a Trump show because Republicans are so loyal to him.

And you're right, Kyra, the fact that he was able to get his own picks here, people that were loyal to him, that may have been the, the first and foremost quality that they had. Those are the people that are now advising him. Those are the people in his cabinet. And you haven't seen the kind of staff turmoil and turnover that you saw in Trump 1.0. You know, it's interesting too as we saw a shot of the entire Trump family there in support of, you know, their father, their father in law. We didn't see Barron, but we did see the rest of the family. You know, you talk about out all of there's his daughter in law or actually that's Don Jr. S new girlfriend. I believe as we look at these live pictures, it's hard to keep track sometimes, Rick. But as it looks like the speaker is getting ready. Yeah, Rick, stay with me. Let's go ahead and listen in states into the chamber the following the gentleman from Louisiana, Mr. Scalise the gentleman from Minnesota, Mr. Emmer the gentlewoman from Michigan, Michigan, Mrs. McLean the gentleman from North Carolina, Mr. Hudson the gentleman from Pennsylvania, Mr. Reschenthaler the gentleman from Utah, Mr. Moore the gentlewoman from Indiana, Mrs. Houchen the gentleman from Oklahoma, Mr. Hearn the gentleman from New York, Mr. Jeffries gentlewoman from Massachusetts, Ms. Clark the gentleman from California, Mr. Aguilar gentleman from California, Mr. Liu the gentleman from Colorado, Mr. Negus the gentlewoman from Washington, Ms. DelBene, the gentlewoman from Michigan Mrs. Dingell.

The President of the Senate, at the direction of that body, appoints the following senators as members of the committee on the part of the Senate to escort the President of the United States into the House chamber. The senator from South Dakota, Mr. Thune. The senator. The senator from Wyoming, Mr. Barrasso. The senator from Arkansas, Mr. Cotton.

The senator from Oklahoma, Mr. Lankford.

The senator from West Virginia, Mrs. Capito. The senator from South Carolina, Mr. Scott. The senator from New York, Mr. Schumer. The senator from Illinois, Mr. Durbin. The senator from Minnesota, Ms. Klobuchar. The senator from New Jersey, Mr. Booker. The senator from Wisconsin, Ms. Baldwin. The members of the escort committee will.

Exit the chamber through the lobby doors.

Okay, now we know who will be escorting the President into the room. Rick Klein, I want to stay with you. As you were talking about, and we were talking about the fact that President Trump has had a chance to pick a posse around him, that, that is of no opposition as like we were talking from last, last time around when he had to relieve many people of their duties because they just weren't doing what he wanted them to do. He has clearly picked people that he knows will not challenge him and will take his orders. And as we have seen, even pulling Elon Musk into the mix. But if you look at the approval ratings, he may have won this election, he may have a cabinet around him that he has handpicked. But if you look at approval ratings, he's struggling. Yeah. And there's a lot of anxiety out there. And I'm curious if that's acknowledged in any way, shape or form in the President's speech tonight, that he's going to paint a pretty rosy portrait of his first 40 something days. But a lot of people in that chamber, members of Congress and people that have lost their jobs through the efforts of the Department of Government Efficiency are feeling uncertain right now.

And just looking at the events of the last couple of days, look at the chaos that ensued after the Zelinsky Oval Office meeting, the turmoil in the markets and in world affairs with the imposition of tariffs. There are so many fronts where there is massive uncertainty at this moment. And it is reflected in the polling. Donald Trump is doing better in the polls than he did during most much of his first term. But that isn't to say that he's a runaway winner right now. A lot of people are skeptical of his leadership and skeptical, skeptical of the direction that the country is heading in overall. Elizabeth Schulze, I'll let you follow up on that as we Talk about anxiety and fear. Much of that may not be about a war in Ukraine or a trade war over tariffs. It's just your everyday American that's paying twice as much for eggs right now and can't even fill up the gas in their car. And then if you talk to federal workers that are getting fired by the day, there's where that fear is coming from. Kira, we know that that uncertainty over the economy and the unease over persistently high prices is what essentially propelled Donald Trump to the White House.

It's something that he promised to address on day one, and so many households are hoping and expecting that that is a promise he can deliver on. They are seeing those records high prices at the grocery store. They see persistently high costs for day to day expenses like rent. And they want to see what can the government do to lower those prices and what can be done on a larger scale to make the cost of living more affordable, whether it's from Congress or from President Trump himself. And when they've just announced, we will see members of the Supreme Court enter in. Do we want to pause and listen in for a moment? Moment, Selena. All right. As we watch the members of the Supreme Court now enter into the chamber, Selena Wang, I just want to take a question to you. We've got word there are protesters outside the Capitol there in support of Ukraine. That is one question being asked tonight now that Zelensky seems to want to come to some sort of deal with President Trump. Is it possible we could hear about a possible deal tonight? Well, we know that the Trump administration has been working towards this.

And we saw for the statement from Zelinsky today, Kira, that after that disastrous Oval Office meeting, he very much wants to repair this relationship. He was heaping praise on the president, saying he admires his strong leadership, that Ukraine is willing to work with the United States as quickly as possible to bring this war to an end. But it is clear, Kira, if any of that is enough to move President Trump, we are seeing this pretty dramatic rupture in relationship tensions between wartime allies. We're talking about the US Pausing all military aid to Ukraine. And this could have a profound impact if it lasts long enough. In fact, a Ukrainian intelligence official tells us that the impact of that freeze could be felt in two weeks and that the ammunition shortage could get very serious during the summer. Now, White House officials had told me that they believed Zelensky was disrespectful, that he was ungrateful in that Oval Office meeting. Zelensky very much trying to right that ship and make sure that hopefully this aid can be unpaused. Kira? Jay O'Brien, a minute and 30 away from the president's speech. Well, he where he will enter the chamber, the same chamber where four years ago we saw MAGA supporters desecrate democracy.

Now he is the president of the United States and he'll be making that appearance address before the nation. The whole country will be watching because it's everything from domestic to international issues that he will be talking about as we are about to hear from the president in about a minute and six seconds. Tell me what you're thinking about and how do you think he'll start?

Yeah. Keep an eye on two things tonight, Kira.

First, obviously, in addition to what Trump says, keep an eye on what Democrats do in that chamber, the signs of resistance they show, whether they're audible or silent, the colors they're wearing, etc. And also keep an eye on Elon Musk. He's going to get the bulk of the attention in that room in addition to President Trump because of the outsized role he's playing. Musk, remember riding in the motorcade with Trump on his way over here from the White House, not in the beast, the presidential limousine, as we first thought, but in the motorcade, sitting there in the chamber in a prominent place, in a prominent role in this administration, unlike one we've seen in decades in this country. So in addition to the words coming out of President Trump's mouth, watch Elon Musk in that room, too. Jay O'Brien, thank you. Minutes away now from the start of the presidential address to Congress. We hand it over now to our David Muir and team. Stay with us. Our live coverage continues tonight, President Trump's address to a joint session of Congress, his message to the American people and the world, and the stakes could not be higher.

ABC News live coverage begins right now. Tonight on the 44th day of his presidency, with so much at stake right here at home and across the globe, President Donald J. Trump before a joint session of Congress, the American people and the world. This is an ABC News special, the presidential address to the nation and the Democratic response. Now reporting from Washington, David Muir. And good evening tonight from the nation's capital, we are just moments away from President Trump's address to a joint session of Congress and the American people. And make no mistake, the world be watching this address to Congress as well, perhaps closer than it has in years, simply because of the news already made in these first 44 days of President Trump's presidency. New tariffs, obviously, the economy has moved on these tariffs in just the last 24 hours. And the Dow's response, the president's approach to the world, our allies, our adversaries. The Oval Office meeting with President Zelensky of Ukraine. We're told the theme of tonight's address will be the renewal of the American dream. Just before we came on the air, the president making his way from the White House to Capitol Hill, returning to the chamber for the first time since winning the 2024 election, the President and his party in control of Washington.

Republicans are of course, in control of the House and the Senate within majorities, but in both majorities nonetheless. In just six weeks since the start of the second Trump presidency, the new administration, administration has attempted an aggressive downsizing of the federal government, led of course, by Elon Musk and his team. The administration laying off thousands of government employees, targeting some federal agencies, including usaid, the cdc, Noah, among others. Elon Musk is in the chamber tonight. As we look at live pictures of the chamber, Rachel Scott is also there. And Rachel, there he is. Elon Musk, special government employee. And he is the president's most powerful senior, senior adviser. Billionaire Elon Musk is now in this chamber. He is still standing on his feet right near the first lady's box. We have learned that he was in the presidential motorcade. He did enter this chamber to some applause, some Republicans eager to get his attention on the House floor, one even holding up a sign saying, doge, the Department of Government Efficiency rocks. Clearly, some in the room here disagree. And this is striking, David, because many of the attendees today, some of the guests are fired federal workers, people who have been impacted by the Department of Government Efficiency and the efforts to shrink the size of the federal government.

David, the president says tonight he's going to tell it like it is, but really, make no mistake about it, this is President Donald Trump's Washington. He has the majority in the House, the Senate, a conservative leaning Supreme Court. This is a Republican Party that is made almost entirely in his image. David, Rachel Scott in the chamber for us. First Lady Melania Trump arriving. And we know that Elon Musk is in the first lady's box. She has several guests tonight, which we will get to over the course of this evening. President Trump expected obviously, to point out the first lady in the chamber as well as the reasons for her guests being there. Elon Musk not far from the first lady. Rachel Scott talking about the balance of power in Washington. You saw that cutaway there just a moment ago of Speaker Johnson and Vice President J.D. vance Mary Bruce, Republican speaker of the House, obviously J.D. vance, the Vice president, but Donald Trump has a Republican Party right now that's in control of both the House and the Senate. And you are going to see that full Republican power on display here tonight. It will be quite remarkable to see the president unlike we did before, when during his first term to come in.

And I believe we may be getting close to that moment. DAVID the House sergeant at arms, speaker, the President's Cabinet. The President's cabinet now entering the room. And Mary, you've covered this every step of the way. His cabinet nominees, by and large, the vast majority of them getting nominated and accepted by the Senate. And again, a sign of just how behind him this party is. Of course, the president there appointing many. There you see Marco Rubio, you see the Treasury Secretary behind him. I believe that's Pete Hagseth entering as well, all shaking hands despite, I think, a lot of what were initially seen as controversial picks for his Cabinet, all of them ultimately sailing through because the party is in such lockstep behind him. And many of these people, of course, in his Cabinet are those who have shown themselves to be deeply loyal to Donald Trump, willing to do anything to support his agenda. David Pete Hegseth, RFK Jr. The health and Human Human Services Secretary and Martha Raddatz. Pete exit faced a battle there for a while. It looked somewhat questionable. So did RFK junior's nomination. But Republicans by and large stood by this president with these thin majorities and got these nominees across the finish line.

Exactly. DAVID it took a while, especially with Pete Hegseth. There was some reporting about his past and assumed or charged not charged with sexual assault, but there were reports that he denied, obviously. But he, he got through just barely. And it took J.D. vance to get him through. Of course, he's a Fox News personality. He was a major in the military, served in Iraq and used those credentials very fulsomely. Kristi Noem, Secretary of Homeland Security Rachel Scott was embedded with the team today with ICE and the FBI as they raided a local community in Virginia, continuing to make arrests across the country in implementing the President's plan on immigration. And when you look at this Cabinet, John the sweeping nature of his choices. President Trump approached this second time around very differently from the first. This was about lawyers loyalty, this was about getting the picks that he wanted and he got them there.

DAVID this second Trump presidency is in.

Many ways entirely different from the first. You know, first he comes into Washington, he comes into this with something he can claim as a mandate. He won the popular vote. He obviously didn't win the popular vote the first time around. It was a more decisive Electoral College victory.

He was new to Washington last time.

He is certainly no longer new to Washington. And yes, this Cabinet is stacked with people who are personally loyal to Donald Trump, as is his West Wing. He wasn't relying on outside advice on how to pick. He wasn't picking people that he had only recently met. These are people who are not going to take action to block Bobby Kennedy, Jr. I mean, Bobby Kennedy, Jr. I've known for some 30 years. Bobby Kennedy, Jr. Of course, from one of the most famous Democratic families in American history. Bobby Kennedy, Jr. Endorsed Donald Trump and was rewarded with the Health and Human Services secretary post. And interestingly, not a single Democrat voted to confirm Bobby Kennedy. It was an extraordinary scene to witness. And not only that, but several members of the Kennedy family spoke out against RFK Jr. And this nomination, including Ambassador Caroline Kennedy, who waited till the very last moment before she stepped in to make her opinion known that she did not believe that her cousin should be secretary. But he is secretary nonetheless, and his first major challenge could be the measles outbreak that we've seen in West Texas and cases popping up elsewhere in the country.

J.D. vance, Speaker Johnson laughing about something there at the front of the chamber there. Lindsay Davis is also with us here in the studio tonight. And Lindsey, a lot of eyes will also be on the Democrats inside that chamber. And there has been a lot of debate about whether or not they have any sort of cohesive response as of yet to what they've seen in these first 44 days. Sure. A number of Democrats have said that they're absolutely not going to even show up tonight. Some have said that they're going to wear black as a symbol of, of this being a somber evening. Several women have said that they're going to wear pink. Many people doing kind of different versions of, of protests. But look, the stock market is down. Inflation is up. Donald Trump has said he's going to tell it like it is tonight. We have to wonder if he's going to really touch on those issues in the first 44 days. It has been a dizzying time. Right. He signed at least 76 executive orders. There are about 100 lawsuits that are pushing back on some of those. But this is more activity than we've seen in any other American president in their first 100 days in more than 40 years.

And we're talking about a wide variety, from paper straws in federal agencies being banned to mandating that this country only recognize two genders with males and females. But I think that ultimately he has to get breakthrough to the American people, why tariffs are so important to him, at one point calling him his favorite word, but potentially at the expense of the American people. These tariffs that he warned were coming in fact went into effect at midnight last night, imposing the tariffs on our neighbors Canada and Mexico and additional tariffs on China. Tonight, Canada has responded the prime Minister, Justin Trudeau, with retaliatory tariffs against American goods now going to Canada. And he said directly to the American people today, your government is doing this to you. We didn't want this. He made that very clear. He said this was a dumb thing to do. Legendary investor Warren Buffett has reached the consensus over the last couple of days that he believes that tariffs are, in effect, an act of war. He said with a chuckle. But you could tell he was questioning the impact of these tariffs, tariffs if and when they were in fact implemented.

And Mary Bruce, as you just heard from Lindsey, we saw this swing on the Dow two days in a row over these tariffs, down some 1300 points in two days. And the president knows that. The American people are watching tonight. The question is, will he, will he explain why he's done this and why he's doing it now, what he thinks this temporary pain that he has spoken about, how long it lasts and why it's worth it for the American people. This is a chance for the President in front of the largest audience that he's likely to have this year, certainly to offer some clarity as to why he is doing this and what Americans should be bracing for. He is well aware, certainly that many Americans supported him because of the economy. He promised to bring down prices on day one. We haven't seen that yet. And now you hear from experts and economists warning the opposite, that these tariffs make actually raise prices on Americans. And the President has said, you know, this is just the beginning, that he's willing to go even further that countries that put tariffs on us. Well, he's going to tariff them right back.

We did also, though, hear from his commerce Secretary earlier today saying the president may be looking for ways to meet in the middle. I think, David, this speaks to some of the confusion that Americans have about what this means. And the President tonight needs to really offer a clear explanation of why he feels placing these stinging tariffs on our largest trading partners is necessary. So far, we've seen a range of explanations from him. Will he be able tonight to clarify that for the American people and get them on board? And will he brace them to pay a price for all of this. They're running a couple of minutes behind here. The president expected to enter this chamber at any moment. And the moment it happens, we'll go to the House. Sergeant at arms announcing the president of the United States States, as Mary points out, he'll likely talk about the economy, about his move on tariffs tonight, even with some of our closest allies, certainly with China as well. China retaliating against the US Tonight, Mexico saying they'll retaliate by Sunday in response. And Mary, as you point out, economists across the board have said, remember these tariffs, it's the American businesses and companies bringing these products in that pay the tariff when those products arrive.

And in many cases, those companies then pass those additional costs to the American consumer. And John Carl, we saw it just today as we keep our eyes trained on this live picture, that retailers from Best Buy to Target are warning American consumers that prices could rise and quickly here. Automobile manufacturers are warning them. Even cars made in the United States are made largely with parts that are imported from Canada and from Mexico. If you're worried about the price of.

Eggs, we have eggs that come in.

From Canada, dairy that comes in from Canada. Look, this is a big gamble for this president. And we've seen how the markets have reacted. We've seen anxiety from businesses large and small in the country. But, David, I think it's important to say this is exactly what Donald Trump promised to do during the campaign.

He spoke over and over and over.

Again, again about what he thought could be accomplished with tariffs. At times he talked about tariffs of 20%, 25%, 100%, a speech where he talked about 200% tariffs that he could do. So this is not a surprise, but it certainly has caused anxiety here. The gavel. Let's listen in. Mr. Speaker, the President of the United.

States.

William McCarland, the House Sergeant at arms, announcing President Trump's return to that chamber. He has not been here for an address to Congress. We later in the presidency, of course, we'll call it the State of the Union, but it's called an address to a joint session of Congress for presidents in their first month or two, because there hasn't been a lot of time to preside over the Union, although some would say in these first 44 days, and Lindsey made the point, it has been a dizzying, dizzying number of actions taken by the president. You have to wonder if that's going to be a defining sort of move for presidents who come after President Trump to act more quickly in these first initial days. It's also a sign that this president has done this before. He fought for reelection. He won the election, both the popular vote and the Electoral College. And Rachel Scott, he got right to work. He picked people who he knew would be loyal to him. He had a plan. And as John Carl said, he campaigned on these issues and he got to work on them right away, David, and he's faced very little resistance from Republicans.

And this is the divide in Washington that we are seeing play out right here inside of this chamber. Of course, you have Republicans that are rushing to greet the president on the aisles. We have Democrats that are staying seated sort of in protest here as he makes his way down. It is remarkable the last time that the president stood at this podium, he had just been acquitted in his first impeachment trial. Democrats had just begun their 2020 presidential primary. Covid wasn't even at its peak yet in the United States. And here we are, the president now returning here to this House chamber, speaking to this joint session of Congress after surviving two attempted assassinations. And yes, this is his Washington with control and the majority and both chambers of Congress. He has moved very quickly in a way that's almost dizzying even to some Republicans. Even they acknowledge that the president moving at lightning speed, David, to get things done. And Rachel, talk to me about the challenge that the Democrats now face and how to respond to this. I mean, there's no doubt about it, the Republicans are in control, thin majorities, as I mentioned, in the House and the Senate, but they do control Washington at this point.

And this president, at least for the first 44 days, really didn't turn to Congress for much, if at all. These were executive orders and actions. And now comes this address to a joint session and perhaps will try to make the case on things that they need to work together on. But as you pointed out, you're looking around the room, many Democrats aren't even standing. And that's what I'm looking for tonight. David, does the president appear, appeal to Democrats from across the aisle to try to suggest something that they could work on together, some sort of bipartisanship? As you mentioned, he moved forward with a slew of executive actions from his very first day inside of the Oval Office. The big question here for Democrats, what exactly can they do? And this is something that they are struggling with internally. They really do not have a coherent message. Democratic leaders will even tell you that they don't have the majority majorities in either chamber, so much so that they're actually considering whether or not they want to leverage a possible government shutdown in just 10 days and a way to push back against some of the efforts from the Department of Government Efficiency and Elon Musk and the Trump administration.

We'll have to see if they go forward with that. But Democrats, they are keenly aware of what they are up against here. They are having some challenges figuring out a way to confront it, but they're also keenly away that the president, President won on the issues. Right. We're talking about the economy and immigration, of course, two things the president is expected to focus on tonight. David. Rachel, thank you. As we watch as the president greets members of not only the Supreme Court, but the military and big changes at the Pentagon. Martha, the chairman of the Joint Chiefs out in just the last couple of days. One of the first things he said he wanted to do was get rid of woke generals. Pete Hegset said the same thing. Secretary of Defense, he fired General CQ Brown just about ready to speak there and also the chief of Naval operations. So some of those people are unfamiliar there. Tonight, chance of USA inside the chamber handing a copy of the speech to Speaker Johnson. Of course, you'll remember the years when former Speaker Nancy Pelosi was standing behind him. No longer it.

Thank you. Thank you very much. Thank you very much. It's a great honor. Thank you very much. Speaker Johnson, Vice President Vance, the first lady of the United States, members of the United States Congress, thank you very much. And to my fellow citizens, America is back. Six weeks ago, I stood beneath the dome of this Capitol and proclaimed the dawn of the golden age of America. From that moment on, it has been nothing but swift and unrelenting action to usher in the greatest and most successful era in the history of our country. We have accomplished more in 43 days than most administrations accomplished in four years or eight years. And we are just getting started. 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. There's never been anything like it. The presidential election of November 5 was a mandate like has not been seen in many decades.

We won all seven swing states, giving us an electoral college victory of 312 votes. We won the popular vote by big numbers and won counties in our country and one counties in our country. 2,700 to 525. But a map that reads almost completely red for Republican. Now, for the first time in modern history, more Americans believe that our country is headed in the right direction than the wrong direction. In fact, it's an astonishing record 27 point swing, the most ever. Likewise, small business optimism saw its single largest one month gain ever recorded, a 41 point jump.

Members are directed to uphold and maintain decorum in the House and to cease any further disruptions. That's your warning. Members are engaging in willful and continuing breach of decorum. And the chair is prepared to direct the Sergeant at Arms to restore order to the joint session.

Mr. Green, take your seat. Take your seat, sir. Take your seat. Finding that members continue to engage in.

Willful and concerted disruption of proper decorum, the chair now directs the Sergeant at arms to restore order.

Remove this gentleman from the chamber. Sa.

Directed to up hold and maintain decorum in the House. Mr. President, you continue.

Thank you. Over the past six weeks, I have signed nearly 100 executive orders and taken more than 400 executive actions. A record to restore common sense, safety, optimism and wealth all across our wonderful land. The people elected me to do the job, and I'm doing it. In fact, it has been stated by many that the first month of our presidency. Presidency. It's our presidency. Is the most successful in the history of our nation, by many. And what makes it even more impressive is that do you know who number two is? George Washington. How about that? I don't know about that list, but we'll take it. 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. Ever. They heard my words and they chose not to come. Much easier that way. In comparison. Under Joe Biden, the worst president in American history, there were hundreds of thousands of illegal crossings a month.

And virtually all of them, including murderers, drug dealers, gang members and people from mental institutions and insane asylums, were released into our country. Who would want to do that? This is my fifth such speech to Congress. And once again, I look at the Democrats in front of me and I realize there is absolutely nothing I can say to make them happy or to make them stand or smile or applaud. Nothing I can do. I could find a cure to the most devastating disease. A disease that would wipe out entire nations or announce the answers to the greatest economy in history. History or the stoppage of crime to the lowest levels ever recorded. And these people sitting right here will not clap, will not stand, and certainly will not cheer for these astronomical achievements. They won't do it no matter what. Five, five times I've been up here. It's very sad and it just shouldn't be this way. So, Democrats sitting before me for just this one night. Why not join us in celebrating so many incredible wins for America, for the good of our nation, let's work together and let's truly make America great again.

Every day my administrative administration is fighting to deliver the change America needs to bring a future that America deserves. And we're doing it. This is a time for big dreams and bold action. Upon taking office, I imposed an immediate freeze on all federal hiring, a freeze on all new federal regulations, and a freeze on all foreign aid. I terminated the ridiculous green new scam. I withdrew from the unfair Paris climate accord which was costing us trillions of dollars that other countries were not paying. I withdrew from, from the corrupt World Health Organization and I also withdrew from the anti American UN Human Rights Council. We ended all of Biden's environmental restrictions that were making our country far less safe and totally unaffordable. And importantly, we ended the last administration's insane electric vehicle mandate, saving our autoworkers and companies from economic destruction to unshackle our economy. I have directed that for every one new regulation, 10 old regulations must be eliminated. Just like I did in my very successful first term. And in that first term, we set records on ending unnecessary rules, rules and regulations like no other president had done before. We ordered all federal workers to return to the office.

They will either show up for work in person or be removed from their job. And we, we have ended weaponized government where as an example, a sitting president is allowed to viciously prosecute his political opponent like me. How did that work out? Not too good. And I have stopped all government censorship and brought back free speech in America. It's back. And two days ago, I signed an order making English the official language of the United States of America. I renamed the Gulf of Mexico the Gulf of America. And likewise, I renamed for a great president, William McKinley, Mount McKinley again. Beautiful Alaska. Love Alaska. We've ended the tyranny of so called diversity, equity and inclusion policies all across the entire federal government and indeed the private sector and our military and our country will be woke no longer. We believe that whether you are a doctor, an accountant, a lawyer, or an air traffic controller, you should be hired and promoted based on skill and competence, not race or gender. Very important. You should be hired based on merit. And the Supreme Court, in a brave and very powerful decision, has allowed us to do so.

Thank you. Thank you very much. We have removed the poison of critical race theory from our public schools. And I signed an order making it the official policy of the United States government that there are only two genders, male and female. I also signed an executive order to ban men from playing in women's sports. Three years ago, Peyton McNabb was an all star high school athlete, one of the best preparing for a future in college sports. But when her girls volleyball match was invaded by a male, he smashed the ball so hard in Peyton's face, causing traumatic brain injury, partially paralyzing her right side and ending her athletic career. It was a shot like she's never seen before. She's never seen anything like it. Peyton is here tonight in the gallery. And Peyton, from now on, schools will kick the men off the girls team or they will lose all federal funding. And if you really want to see numbers, just take a look at what happened in the woman's boxing, weightlifting, track and field, swimming or cycling, where a male recently finished a long distance race five hours and 14 minutes ahead of a woman for a new record by five hours.

Broke the record by five hours. It's demeaning for women and it's very bad for our country. We're not going to put up with it any longer. What I have just described is only a small fraction of the common sense revolution that is now because of us sweeping the entire world. Common sense has become a common theme and we will never go back. Never, never going to let that happen. Among my very highest priorities is to rescue our economy and get dramatic and immediate relief to working families. As you know, we inherited from the last administration an economic catastrophe and an inflation nightmare. Their policies drove up energy prices, pushed up grocery costs, and drove the necessities of life out of reach for millions and millions of Americans. They've never had anything like it. We suffered the worst inflation in 48 years, but perhaps even in the history of our country, they're not sure. As president, I'm fighting every day to reverse this damage and make America affordable again. Joe Biden especially. Let the price of eggs get out of control. The egg price is out of control and we're working hard to get it back down.

Secretary, do a good job on that. You inherited a total mess from the previous administration. Do a good job. A major focus of our fight to defeat inflation is rapidly reducing the cost of energy. The previous administration cut the number of new oil and gas leases by 95%, slowed pipeline construction to a halt, and closed more than 100 power plants. We are opening up many of those power plants right now. And frankly, we have never seen anything like it. That's why on my first day in office, I declared a national energy emergency. As you've heard me say many times, we have more liquid gold under our feet than any nation on earth and by far. And now I fully authorize the most talented team ever assembled to go and get it. It's called drill, baby, drill. My administration is also working on a gigantic natural gas pipeline in Alaska. Alaska, among the largest in the world. Where Japan, South Korea and other nations want to be our partner with investments of trillions of dollars each. There's never been anything like that one. It will be truly spectacular. It's all set to go. The permitting is gotten.

And later this week I will also take historic action to dramatically expand production of critical minerals and rare earths here in the USA to further combat inflation. We will not only be reducing the cost of energy, but will be ending the flagrant waste of taxpayer dollars. And to that end, I have created the brand new Department of Government Efficiency. Go. Perhaps you've heard of it. Perhaps. Which is headed by by Elon Musk, who is in the gallery tonight. Thank you, Elon. He's working very hard. He didn't need this. He didn't need this. Thank you very much. We appreciate it. Everybody here, even this side, appreciates it. I believe they just don't want to admit that. Just listen to some of the appalling waste we have already identified. $22 billion from HHS to provide free housing and cars for illegal aliens. $45 million for diversity, equity and inclusion scholarships in Burma. $40 million to improve the social and economic inclusion of sedentary migrants. Nobody knows what that is. $8 million to promote LGBTQI plus in the African nation of Lesotho, which nobody has ever heard of. $60 million for indigenous peoples and Afro Colombian empowerment in Central America.

$60 million. $8 million for making mice transgender. This is real. $32 million for a left wing propaganda operation in Moldova. $10 million for male circumcision in Mozambique. $20 million for the Arab Sesame street in the Middle East. It's a program. $20 million for a program. $1.9 billion to recently created Decarbonization of Homes committee headed up. And we know she's involved. Just at the last moment. The money was passed over by A woman named Stacey Abrams. Have you ever heard of her? A $3.5 million consulting contract for lavish fish monitoring. $1.5 billion for voter confidence in Liberia. $14 million for social cohesion in Mali. $59 million for illegal alien hotel rooms in New York City. He's a real estate developer. He's done very well. $250,000 to increase vegan local climate action innovation in Zambia. $42 million for social and behavior change in Uganda. $14 million for improving public procurement in Serbia. $47 million for improving learning outcomes in Asia. Asia is doing very well with learning. I don't know what we're doing. Should use it ourselves. And $101 million for DEI contracts at the Department of Education, the most ever paid. Nothing even like it under the Trump administration.

All of these scams, and they're far worse. But I didn't think it was appropriate to talk about them. They're so bad. Many more have been found out and exposed and swiftly terminated by a group of very intelligent, mostly young people headed up by Elon. And we appreciate it. We found hundreds of billions of dollars of fraud and we've taken back the money and reduced our debt to fight inflation and other things, taking back a lot of that money. We got it just in time. This is just the beginning. The Government Accountability Office, a federal government office, has estimated annual fraud of over $500 billion in our nation. And we are working very hard to stop it. We're going to. We're also identifying shocking levels of incompetence and probable fraud in the Social Security program for our seniors and that our seniors and people that we love rely on. Believe it or not, government databases list 4.7 million Social Security members from people aged 100 to 109 years old. It lists 3.6 million people from ages 110 to 119. I don't know any of them. I know some people that are rather elderly, but not quite that elderly.

3.47 million people from ages 120 to 129. 3.9 million people from ages 130 to 139. 3.5 million people. People from ages 140 to 149. And money is being paid to many of them. And we're searching right now, in fact. Pam, good luck. Good luck. You're going to find it. But a lot of money is paid out to people because it just keeps getting paid and paid and nobody does. And it really hurts Social Security and hurts our country. 1.3 million people from ages 150 to 159 and over 130,000 people, according to the Social Security databases, are age over 160 years old. We have a healthier country than I thought, Bobby. Including to finish 1039 people between the ages of 220 and 229, one person between the age of 240 and 249 and one person is listed at 360 years of age, more than 100 years, more than 100 years older than our country. But we're going to find out where that money is going and it's not going to be pretty. By slashing all of the fraud we waste and theft we can find, we will defeat inflation, bring down mortgage rates, lower car payments and grocery prices, protect our seniors, and put more money in the pockets of American families.

And today, interest rates took a beautiful drop. Big, beautiful drop. It's about time. And in the near future, I want to do what has not been done in 24, balance the federal budget. We're going to balance that. With that goal in mind, we have developed in great detail what we are calling the Gold Card, which goes on sale very, very soon for $5 million. We will allow the most successful job creating people from all over the world to buy a path to US Citizenship. It's like the Green card, but better and more sophisticated. And these people will have to pay tax in our country. They won't have to pay tax from where they came, the money that they've made. You wouldn't want to do that, but they have to pay tax, create jobs. They'll also be taking people out of colleges and paying for them so that we can keep them in our country instead of having them be being forced out, number one at the top school as an example, being forced out and not being allowed to stay and create tremendous numbers of jobs and great success for a company out there. So while we take out the criminals, killers, traffickers and child predators who are allowed to enter our country under the open border policy of these people, the Democrats, the Biden administration, the open border insane policies that you've allowed to destroy our country, we will now bring in brilliant, hardworking, job creating people.

They're going to pay a lot of money and we're going to reduce our debt with that money. Americans have given us a mandate for bold and profound change. For nearly 100 years, the federal bureaucracy has grown until it has crushed our freedoms, ballooned our deficits, and held back America's potential in every possible way. The Nation founded by pioneers and risk takers now drowns under millions and millions of pages of regulations and debt approvals that should take 10 days to get. Instead take 10 years, 15 years, and even 20 years before you reject it. Meanwhile, we have hundreds of thousands of federal workers who have not been showing up to work. My administration will reclaim power from this unaccountable bureaucracy and we will restore true democracy to America again. And any federal bureaucrat who resists this change will be removed from office immediately because we are draining the swamp. It's very simple. And the days of rule by unelected bureaucrats are over. And the next phase of our plan to discuss deliver the greatest economy in history is for this Congress to pass tax cuts for everybody. They're in there. They're waiting for you to vote.

And I'm sure that the people on my right, I don't mean the Republican right, but my right right here, I'm sure you're going to vote for those tax cuts because otherwise I don't believe the people will ever vote you into office. So I'm doing you a big favor by telling you that. But I know this group is going to be voting for the tactic. Thank you. It's a very, very big part of our plan. We had tremendous success in our first term with it. A very big part of our plan. We're seeking permission, income tax cuts all across the board. And to get urgently needed relief to Americans hit especially hard by inflation, I'm calling for no tax on tips, no tax on overtime, and no tax on Social Security benefits for our great seniors. And I also want to make interest payments on car loans tax deductible, but only if the car is made in America. And by the way, we're going to have growth in the auto industry like nobody has ever seen. Plants are opening up all over the place. Deals are being made. Never seen. That's a combination of the election win and tariffs.

It's a beautiful word, isn't it? That along with our other policies will allow our auto industry to absolutely boom. It's going to boom. Spoke to the majors today, all three the top people, and they're so excited. In fact, already numerous car companies have announced that they will be building massive automobile plants in America, with Honda just announcing a new plant in Indiana, one of the largest anywhere in the world. And this has taken place since our great victory on November 5, a date which will hopefully go down as one of the most important in the history of our country. In addition, as part of our tax cuts, we want to cut taxes on domestic production and oil manufacturing. And just as we did before, we will provide 100% expensing. It will be retroactive to January 20, 2025. And it was one of the main reasons why our tax cuts were so successful in our first term, giving us the most successful economy in the history of our country. First term. We had a great first term. If you don't make your product in America, however, under the Trump administration, you will pay a tariff, and in some cases a rather large one.

Other countries have used tariffs against us for decades, and now it's our turn to start using them against those other countries. On average, the European Union, China, Brazil, India, Mexico and Canada, have you heard of them? And countless other nations charge us tremendously higher tariffs than we charge them. It's very unfair. India charges US auto tariffs higher than 100%. China's average tariff on our products is twice what we charge them. And South Korea's average tariff is four times higher. Think of that. Four times higher there. And we give so much help militarily and in so many other ways to South Korea. But that's what happens. This is happening by friend and foe. This system is not fair to the United States and never was. And so on April 2, I wanted to make it April 1, but I didn't want to be accused of April Fool's Day. That's what that's not Just one day was cost us a lot of money, but we're going to do it in April. I'm a very superstitious person. April 2, reciprocal tariffs kick in and whatever they tariff us other countries, we will tariff them. That's reciprocal, back and forth.

Whatever they tax us, we will tax them. If they do non monetary tariffs to keep us out of their market, then we will do non monetary barriers to keep them out of our market. There's a lot of that, too. They don't even allow us in their market. We will take in trillions and trillions of dollars and create jobs like we have never seen before. I did it with China and I did it with others, and the Biden administration couldn't do anything about it because there was so much money, they couldn't do anything about it. We have been ripped off for decades by nearly every country on Earth and we will not let that happen any longer. Much has been said over the last three months about Mexico and Canada, but we have very large deficits with both of them. But even more importantly, they've allowed fentanyl to come into our country at levels never seen before killing hundreds of thousands of our citizens and many very young, beautiful people destroying families. Nobody has ever seen anything like it. They are, in effect, receiving subsidies of hundreds of billions of dollars. We pay subsidies to Canada, into Mexico of hundreds of billions of dollars.

And the United States will not be doing that any longer. We're not going to do it any longer. Thanks to our America first policies we're putting into place, we have had $1.7 trillion of new investment in America in just the past few weeks. The combination of the election and our economic policies that people of SoftBank, one of the most brilliant anywhere in the world, announced a $200 billion investment. OpenAI and Oracle. Larry Ellison announced $500 billion investment, which they wouldn't have done if Kamala had won. Apple announced 500 billion investment. Tim Cook called me. He said, I cannot spend it fast enough. It's going to be much higher than that. I believe they'll be building their plants here instead of in China. And just yesterday, Taiwan Semiconductor, the biggest in the world, most powerful in the world, has a tremendous amount, 97% of the market, announced a $165 billion investment to build the most powerful, powerful chips on earth right here in the usa. And we're not giving them any money. Your chips act is a horrible, horrible thing. We give hundreds of billions of dollars and it doesn't mean a thing. They take our money and they don't spend it.

All that meant to them we're giving them no money. All that was important to them was they didn't want to pay the tariffs. So they came and they're building and many other companies are coming. We don't have to give them money. We just want to protect our businesses and our people. And they will come because they won't have to pay tariffs if they build in America. So it's very amazing. You should get rid of the CHIP act and whatever's left over, Mr. Speaker, you should use it to reduce debt or any other reason you want to. Our new trade policy will also be great for the American farmer. I love the farmer who will now be selling into our home market, the usa, because nobody is going to be able to compete with you because there's goods that come in from other countries and companies. They're really, really in a bad position in so many different ways. They're uninspected, they may be very dirty and disgusting and they come in and they pour in and they hurt our American farmers. The tariffs will go on. Agricultural product coming into America and our farmers starting on April 2nd.

It may be a little bit of an adjustment period. We had that before when I made the deal with China, $50 billion of purchases. And I said, just bear with me. And they did. They did probably have to bear with me again. And this will be even better. That was great. The problem with it was that Biden didn't enforce it. He didn't enforce it. $50 billion of purchases and we were doing great, but Biden did not enforce it. And it hurt our farmers. But our farmers are going to have a field day right now. So to our farmers, have a lot of fun. I love you, too. I love you, too. It's all going to happen. And I have also imposed a 25% tariff on foreign aluminum, copper, lumber, and steel. Because if we don't have, as an example, steel and lots of other things, we don't have a military and frankly, won't have. We just won't have a country very long. Here today is a proud American steelworker, Fantastic person from Decatur, Alabama. Jeff Denard has been working at the same steel plant for 27 years in a job that has allowed him to serve as the captain of his local volunteer fire department.

Raised seven children with his beautiful wife Nicole, and over the years provide a loving home for more than 40 foster children. So great, Jeff. Thank you, Jeff. Thank you, Jeff. Stories like Jeff's remind us that tariffs are not just about protecting American jobs. They're about protecting the soul of our country. Tariffs are about making America rich again and making America great again. And it's happening. And it will happen rather quickly. There'll be a little disturbance, but we're okay with that. It won't be much. No, you're not. Oh, and look. And look where Biden took us. Very low. The lowest we've ever been. Jeff, I want to thank you very much. And I also want to recognize another person who has devoted herself to foster care community. She worked so hard on it. A very loving person, our magnificent first lady of the United States. Melania's work has yielded incredible results, helping prepare our nation's future leaders as they enter the workforce. Our first lady is joined by two impressive young women. Very impressive. Haley Ferguson, who benefited from the First Lady's foster Fostering the Future initiative and is poised to complete her education, become a teacher.

And Elliston Berry, who became a victim of an illicit, deep fake image produced by a peer. With Elliston's help, the Senate just passed the Take It Down Act. And this is so important. Thank you very much, John. John Thune. Thank you Stand up, John. Thank you, John. Thank you all very much. Thank you. And thank you to John Thune and the Senate. Great job. To criminalize the publication of such images online is terrible, terrible thing. And once it passes the House, I look forward to signing that bill into law. Thank you. And I'm going to use that bill for myself too, if you don't mind. Because nobody gets treated worse than I do online. Nobody. That's great. Thank you very much to the Senate. Thank you. But if we truly care about protecting Americans children, no step is more crucial than securing America's borders. Over the past four years, 21 million people poured into the United States. Many of them were murderers, human traffickers, gang members and other criminals from the streets of dangerous cities all throughout the world. Because of Joe Biden's insane and very dangerous open border policies. They are now strongly embedded in our country, but we are getting them out and getting them out fast.

And I want to thank Tom Homan and Christie, I want to thank you. And Paul of Border Patrol, I want to thank you. What a job they've all done. Everybody, Border Patrol, ice, law enforcement in general is incredible. We have to take care of our law enforcement. Last year, a brilliant 22 year old nursing student named Lakin Riley, the best in her class, admired by everybody, went out for a jog on the campus of the University of Georgia. That morning, Lakin was viciously attacked, assaulted, beaten, brutalized and horrifically murdered. Lakin was stolen from us by a savage illegal alien gang member who was arrested while trespassing across Biden's open southern border and then set loose into the United States under the heartless policies of that failed administration. It was indeed a failed administration. He had then been arrested and released in a Democrat run sanctuary city, a disaster. Before ending the life of this beautiful young angel. With us this evening are Lakin's beloved mother, Allison, and her sister Lauren. Last year, I told Lakin's grieving parents that we would ensure their daughter would not have died in vain. That's why the very first bill I signed into law as your 47th president mandates the detention of all dangerous criminal aliens who threaten public safety.

It's a very strong, powerful act. It's called the Lakin Riley Act. So, Allison and Lauren, America will never, ever forget our beautiful Lakin Hope rally. Thank you very much. Since taking office, my administration has launched the most sweeping border and immigration crackdown in American history. And we quickly achieved the lowest numbers of illegal border crosses ever recorded. Thank you, the media and our friends in the Democrat Party kept saying we needed new legislation, we must have legislation to secure the border. But it turned out that all we really needed was a new president. Thank you. Joe. Biden didn't just open our borders. He flew illegal aliens over them to overwhelm our schools, hospitals and communities throughout the country. Entire towns like Aurora, Colorado and Springfield, Ohio, buckled under the weight of the migrant occupation and corruption like nobody's ever seen before. Beautiful towns destroyed. Now, just as I promised in my inaugural address, we are achieving the great liberation of America. But there still is much work to be done. Here tonight is a woman I have gotten to know, Alexis Nungare from Houston. Wonderful woman. Last June, Alexis's 12 year old daughter, her precious Jocelyn, walked to a nearby convenience store.

She was kidnapped, tied up, assaulted for two hours under a bridge and horrifically murdered. Arrested and charged with this heinous crime are two illegal alien monsters from Venezuela released into America by the last administration through their ridiculous open border. The death of this beautiful 12 year old girl and the agony of her mother and family touched our entire nation greatly. Alexis, I promised that we would always remember your daughter. Your magnificent daughter. And earlier tonight, I signed an order keeping my word to you. One thing I have learned about Jocelyn is that she loved animals so much. She loved nature. Across Galveston Bay from where Jocelyn lived in Houston, you will find a magnificent national wildlife refuge. A pristine, peaceful, 34,000 acre sanctuary for all of God's creatures on the edge of the Gulf of America. Alexis, moments ago, I formally renamed that refuge in loving memory of your beautiful daughter, Jocelyn.

1.

So, Mr. Vice President, if you would. May I have the order?

Thank you very much. All three savages charged with Jocelyn and Lakins murders were members of the Venezuelan prison gang. The toughest gang they say in the world. Known as trendy Aragua. Two weeks ago, I officially designated this gang, along with Ms. 13 and the bloodthirsty Mexican drug cartels as foreign terrorist organizations. They are now officially in the same category as isis. And that's not good for them. Countless thousands of these terrorists were welcomed into the US by the Biden administration. But now every last one will be rounded up and forcibly removed from our country. Or if they're too dangerous, put in jails, standing trial in this country. Because we don't want them to come back. Ever. With us this evening is a warrior on the front lines of that battle. Border Patrol agent Roberto Ortiz. Great guy. In January, Roberto and another agent were patrolling by the Rio Grande near an area known as Cartel Island. Doesn't sound too nice to Me. When heavily armed gunmen started shooting at them. Roberto saw that his partner was totally exposed at great danger, and he leapt into action, returning fire and providing crucial seconds for his fellow agent to seek safety.

Just. And just barely. I have some of the prints of that event, and it was not good. Agent Ortiz, we salute you for your great courage and for your line of fire that you took and for the bravery that you showed. We honor you and we will always honor you. Thank you, Roberto, very much. Thank you very. And I actually got to know him on my many calls to the border. He's a great, great gentleman. The territory to the immediate south of our border is now dominated entirely by criminal cartels that murder, rape, torture, and exercise total control. They have total control over a whole nation, posing a grave threat to our national security. The cartels are waging war in America. And it's time for America to wage war on the cartels, which we are doing. Five nights ago, Mexican authorities, because of our tariff policies being imposed on them. Think of this handed over to us 29 of the biggest cartel leaders in their country. That has never happened before. They want to make us happy. First time ever. But we need Mexico and Canada to do much more than they've done. And they have to stop the fentanyl and drugs pouring into the usa.

They're going to stop it. I have sent Congress a detailed funding request laying out exactly how we will eliminate these threats to protect our homeland and complete the largest deportation operation in American history. Larger even than current record holder, President Dwight D. Eisenhower. A moderate man, but someone who believed very strongly in borders. Americans expect Congress to send me this funding without delay so I can sign it into law. So, Mr. Speaker, John Thune, both of you, I hope you're going to be able to do that. Mr. Speaker. Thank you, Mr. Leader. Thank you. Thank you very much. And let's get it to me. I'll sign it so fast you won't even believe it. And as we reclaim our sovereignty, we must also bring back law and order to our cities and towns. In recent years, our justice system has been turned upside down by radical left lunatics. Many jurisdictions virtually seized. Enforcing the law against dangerous repeat offenders while weaponizing law enforcement against political opponents like me. My administration has acted swiftly and decisively to restore fair, equal, and impartial justice under the constitutional rule of law, starting at the FBI and the doj.

Pam. Good luck, Cash, wherever you may be. Good luck. Good luck. Pam Bondi. Good luck. So important. Going to do a great job, Cash. Thank you. Thank you. Keshe they've already started very strong. They're going to do a fantastic job. You're going to be very proud of them. We're also once again giving our police officers the support, protection and respect they so dearly deserved. They have to get it. They have such a hard, dangerous job, but we're going to make it less dangerous. The problem is the bad guys don't respect the law, but they're starting to respect it and they soon will respect it. This also includes our great fire departments throughout the country. Our firemen and women are unbelievable people and we'll never forget them. And besides that, they voted for me in record numbers, so I have no chance. One year ago this month, 31 year old new York police officer Jonathan Diller, unbelievably wonderful person and a great officer, was gunned down at a traffic stop on Long Island. I went to his funeral. The vicious criminal charged with his murder had 21 prior arrests and they were rough arrests too. He was a real bad one.

The thug in the seat next to him had 14 prior arrests and went by the name of killer. He was killer. He killed other people, they say. A lot of them. I attended Officer Diller's service and when I met his wife and one year old son Ryan, it was very inspirational. Actually, his widow's name is Stephanie and she is here tonight. Stephanie. Thank you very much, Stephanie. Thank you very much, Stephanie. We're going to make sure that Ryan knows his dad was a true hero. New York's finest. And we're going to get these cold blooded killers and repeat offenders off our streets. And we're going to do it fast. Got to stop it. They get out with 28 arrests, they push people into subway trains, they hit people over the head, back of the head with baseball bats. We got to get them out of here. I have already signed an executive order requiring a mandatory death penalty for anyone who murders a police officer. And tonight I'm asking Congress to pass that policy into permanent law. I'm all also asking for a new crime bill. Getting tough on repeat offenders while enhancing protections for America's police officers so they can do their jobs without fear of their lives being totally destroyed.

They don't want to be killed. We're not going to let them be killed. Joining us in the gallery tonight is a young man who truly loves our police. His name is DJ Daniel. He is 13 years old and he has always dreamed of becoming a police officer.

But in 2018, DJ was diagnosed diagnosed with brain cancer. The Doctors gave him five months at most, to live. That was more than six years ago. Since that time, D.J. and his dad have been on a quest to make his dream come true. And DJ has been sworn in as an honorary law enforcement officer, actually, a number of times. Peace. The police love him. The police departments love him. And tonight, dj, we're going to do you the biggest honor of them all. I am asking our new Secret Service director, Sean Curran, to officially make you an agent of the United States Secret Service. It. Thank you, DJ. DJs doctors believe his cancer likely came from a chemical he was exposed to when he was younger. Since 1975, rates of child cancer have increased by more than 40%. Reversing this trend is one of the top priorities for our new presidential commission to make America Healthy Again, chaired by our new Secretary of Health and Human Services, Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. With the name Kennedy. You would have thought everybody over here would have been cheering. How quickly they forget. Our goal is to get toxins out of our environment, poisons out of our food supply, and keep our children healthy and strong.

As an example, not long ago, and you can't even believe these numbers, one in 10,000 children had autism. One in 10,000. And now it's one in 36. There's something wrong. One in 36, think of that. So we're going to find out what it is. And there's nobody better than Bobby and all of the people that are working with you. You have the best to figure out what is going on. Okay, Bobby, good luck. It's a very important job. Thank you. Thank you. My administration is also working to protect our children from toxic ideologies in our schools. A few years ago, January, little John and her husband discovered that their daughter's school had secretly, socially transitioned their 13 year old little girl. Teachers and administrators conspired to deceive January and her husband while encouraging her daughter to use a new name and pronouns, they, them, pronoun, actually, all without telling January, who is here tonight and is now a courageous advocate against this form of child abuse. January, thank you. Thank you very much. Thank you. Stories like this are why, shortly after taking office, I signed an executive order banning public schools from indoctrinating our children with transgender ideology.

I also signed an order to cut off all taxpayer funding to any institution that engages in the sexual mutilation of our youth. And now I want Congress to pass a bill permanently banning and criminalizing sex changes on children and forever ending the lie that any child is trapped in the wrong body. This is a big lie. And our message to every child in America is that you are perfect exactly the way God made you. Because we're getting woke up, wokeness out of our schools and out of our military and it's already out and it's out of our society. We don't want it. Wokeness is trouble. Wokeness is bad. It's gone. It's gone. And we feel so much better for it. Don't we? Don't we feel better? Our service members won't be activists and ideologues. They will be fighters and warriors. They will fight for our country. And Pete, congratulations. Secretary of Defense, congratulations. And he's not big into the woke movement, I can tell you. I know him well. I am pleased to report that In January the US army had its single best recruiting month in 15 years. And that all armed services are having among the best recruiting results ever in the history of our services.

What a difference. And you know, it was just, just a few months ago where the results were exactly the opposite. We couldn't recruit anywhere. We couldn't recruit. Now we're having the best results just about that we've ever had. What a tremendous turnaround. It's really a beautiful thing to see people love our country again. It's very simple. They love our country and they love being in our military again. So it's a great thing. And thank you very much. Great job.

Thank you.

We're joined tonight by a young man, Jason Hartley, who knows the weight of that call of duty. Jason's father, grandfather and great grandfather all wore the uniform. Jason tragically lost his dad, who was also a Los Angeles county sheriff's deputy, when he was just a boy. And now he wants to carry on the family legacy of service. Jason is a senior in high school, a six letter varsity athlete, a really good athlete they say. A brilliant student with a 4.46. That's good GPA. And his greatest dream is to attend the US Military Academy at West Point. And Jason, that's a very big deal. Getting in, that's a hard one to get into. But I'm pleased to inform you that your application has been accepted. Accepted. You will soon be joining the corps of Kiddo. Thank you, Jason. You're going to be on the long gray line, Jason. As commander in chief, my focus is on building the most powerful military of the future. As a first step, I'm asking Congress to fund a state of the art golden dome missile defense shield to protect our homeland. All made in the usa. And Ronald Reagan wanted to do it long ago, but the technology just Wasn't there.

Not even close. But now we have the technology. It's incredible, actually. And other places, they have it, Israel has it, other places have it. And the United States should have it too. Right, Tim? Right. They should have it too. So I want to thank you, but it's a very, very important. This is a very dangerous world. We should have it. We want to be protected and we're going to protect our citizens like never before. To boost our defense industrial base, we are also going to resurrect the American shipbuilding industry, including commercial shipbuilding and military shipbuilding. And for that purpose, I am announcing tonight that we will create a new office of Shipbuilding in the White House and offer special tax incentives to bring this industry home to America where it belongs. We used to make so many ships. We don't make them anymore very much, but we're going to make them very fast. Very soon. It will have a huge impact. To further enhance our national security, my administration will be reclaiming the Panama Canal. And we've already started doing it. Just today, a large American company announced they are buying both ports around the Panama Canal and lots of other things having to do with the Panama Canal and a couple of other canals.

The Panama Canal was built by Americans for Americans, not for others, but others could use it. But it was built at tremendous cost of American blood and treasure. 38,000 workers died building the Panama Canal. They died of malaria, they died of snake bites and mosquitoes. Not a nice place to work. They paid them very highly to go there, knowing there was a 25% chance that they would die. The most expensive project also that was ever built in our country's history. If you bring it up to modern day costs, it was given away by the Carter administration for $1. But that agreement has been violated very severely. We didn't give it to China, we gave it to Panama and we're taking it back. And we have Marco Rubio in charge. Good luck, Marco. Now we know who to blame if anything goes wrong. Now, Marco's been amazing and he's going to do a great job. Think of it, he got 100 votes. You know, he was approved with actually 99. But the 100th was this gentleman, and I feel very certain. So let's assume he got 100 votes. And I'm either very, very happy about that or I'm very concerned about it.

But he's already proven. I mean, he's a great judge, gentlemen. He's respected by everybody. And we appreciate you voting for Marco. He's going to do a fantastic Job. Thank you. Thank you. He's doing a great job. Great job. And I also have a message tonight for the incredible people of Greenland. We strongly support your right to determine your own future. And if you choose, we welcome you into the United States of America. We need Greenland for national security and even international security. And we're working with everybody involved to try and get it. But we need it, really for international world security. And I think we're going to get it. One way or the other, we're going to get it. We will keep you safe. We will make you rich. And together, we will take Greenland to heights like you have never thought possible before. It's a very small population, but very, very large piece of land and very, very important for military security. America is once again standing strong against the forces of radical Islamic terrorism. Three and a half years ago, ISIS terrorists killed 13American service members and countless others in the Abbey Gate bombing during the disastrous and incompetent withdrawal from Afghanistan.

Not that they were withdrawing, it was the way they withdrew. Perhaps the most embarrassing moment in the history of our country. Tonight I am pleased to announce that we have just apprehended the top terrorists responsible for that atrocity. And he is right now on his way here to face the swift sword of American justice. And I want to thank especially the government of Pakistan for helping arrest this monster. This was a very momentous day for those 13 families who I actually got to know very well, most of them whose children were murdered and the many people that were so badly, over 42 people so badly injured on that fateful day in Afghanistan. What a horrible day. Such incompetence was shown that when Putin saw what happened, I guess he said, wow, maybe this is my chance. That's how bad it was. Should have never happened. Grossly incompetent people. I spoke to many of the parents and loved ones, and they're all in our hearts tonight. Just spoke to them on the phone. We had a big call. Every one of them called and everybody was on the line. And they did nothing but cry with happiness.

They were very happy. As happy as you can be under those circumstances. Their child, brother, sister, son, daughter was killed for no reason whatsoever in the Middle East. We're bringing back our hostages from Gaza. In my first term, we achieved one of the most groundbreaking peace agreements in generations, the Abraham Accords. And now we're going to build on that foundation to create a more peaceful and prosperous future for the entire region. A lot of things are happening in the Middle East. People have been talking about that so much lately with everything going on with Ukraine and Russia. But a lot of things are happening in the Middle East. It's a rough neighborhood, actually. I'm also working tirelessly to end the savage conflict, conflict in Ukraine. Millions of Ukrainians and Russians have been needlessly killed or wounded in this horrific and brutal conflict with no end in sight. The United States has sent hundreds of billions of dollars to support Ukraine's defense. With no security, with no energy.

Do.

You want to keep it going for another five years? Yeah. Yeah. You. You would say. Pocahontas says yes. 2000 people are being killed every single week. More than that. They're Russian young people. They're Ukrainian young people. They're not Americans. But I want it to stop. Meanwhile, Europe has sadly spent more money buying Russian oil and gas than they have spent on defending Ukraine by far. Think of that. They've spent more buying Russian oil and gas than they have defending. And we've spent perhaps $350 billion. Like taking candy from a baby. That's what happened. And they've spent $100 billion. What a difference that is. And we have a notion separating us, and they don't. But we're getting along very well with them, and lots of good things are happening. Biden has authorized more money in this fight than Europe has spent by billions and billions of dollars. It's hard to believe that they wouldn't have stopped it and said, at some point, come on, let's equalize. You got to be equal to us. But that didn't happen. Earlier today, I received an important letter from President Zelensky of Ukraine. The letter reads, ukraine is ready to come to the negotiating table as soon as possible to bring lasting peace closer.

Nobody wants peace more than the Ukrainians, he said. My team and I stand ready to work under President Trump's strong leadership to get a peace that lasts. We do really value how much America has done to help Ukraine maintain its sovereignty and independence. Regarding the agreement on minerals and security, Ukraine is ready to sign it at any time that is convenient for you. I appreciate that. He sent this letter. Just got it a little while ago. Simultaneously, we've had serious discussions with Russia and have received strong signals that they are ready for peace. Wouldn't that be beautiful? Wouldn't that be beautiful? Wouldn't that be beautiful? It's time to stop this madness. It's time to halt the killing. It's time to end this senseless war. If you want to end wars, you have to talk to both sides. Nearly four years ago, amid Rising tensions. A history teacher named Mark Fogel was detained in Russia and sentenced to 14 years in a penal colony. Rough stuff. The previous administration barely lifted a finger to help him. They knew he was innocent, but they had no idea where to begin. But last summer I promised his 95 year old mother, Malfean, that we would bring her boy safely back home.

After 22 days in office. I did just that. And they are here tonight.

It.

To Mark and his great mom. We are delighted to have you safe and sound and with us. As fate would have it, Mark Fogle was born in a small rural town in Butler, Pennsylvania. Have you heard of it? Where his mother has lived for the past 78 years. I just happened to go there last July 13th for a rally that was not pleasant. And that is where I met his beautiful mom. Right before I walked onto that stage. And I told her I would not forget what she said about her son. And I never did, did I? Never forgot. Less than 10 minutes later at that same rally, gunfire rang out and a sick and deranged assassin unloaded eight bullets from his sniper's perch into a crowd of many thousands of people. My life was saved by a fraction of an inch. But some were not so lucky. Cory Comperator was a firefighter, a veteran, a Christian, a husband, a devoted father, and above all, a protector. When the sound of gunshots pierced the air, it was a horrible sound. Cory knew instantly what it was and what to do. He threw himself on top of his wife and daughters and shielded them from the bullets with his own body.

Cory was hit really hard. You know the story. From there, he sacrificed his life to save theirs. Two others, very fine people, were also seriously hit. But thankfully, with the help of two great country doctors, we thought they were gone and they were saved. So those doctors had great talent. We're joined by Cory's wife, Helen, who was his high school sweetheart, and their two beloved daughters, Allison and Kaylee. Thank you

to Helen, Allison and Kaylee. Corey is looking down on his three beautiful ladies right now and he is cheering you on. He loves you. He is cheering you on. Cory was taken from us much too soon. But his destiny was to leave us all with a shining example of the selfless devotion of a true American patriot. It was love like Cory's that built our country. And it's love like Cory's that is going to make our country more majestic than ever before. I believe that my life was saved that day in Butler for a very good reason. I was saved by God to make America great again. I believe that. Thank you very much. From the patriots of Lexington and Concord to the heroes of Gettysburg and Normandy, from the warriors who crossed the Delaware to the trailblazers who climbed the Rockies, and from the legends who soared at Kitty Hawk to the astronauts who touched the moon, Americans have always been the people who defied all arts, transcended all dangers, made the most extraordinary sacrifices and did whatever it took to defend our children, our country and our freedom. And as we have seen in this chamber tonight, that same strength, faith, love and spirit is still alive and thriving in the hearts of the American people.

Despite the best efforts of those who would try to censor us, silence us, break us, destroy us. Americans are today a proud, free, sovereign and independent nation that will always be free, and we will fight for it till death. We will never let anything happen to our beloved country. Because we are a country of doers, dreamers, fighters and survivors. Our ancestors crossed a vast ocean, strode into the unknown wilderness and carved their fortunes from the rock and soil of a perilous and very dangerous frontier. They chased our destiny across a boundless continent. They built the railroads, laid the highways and graced the world with American marvels like the Empire State Building, the mighty Hoover Dam and the towering Golden Gate Bridge. They lit the world with electricity, broke free of the force of gravity, fired up the engines of American industry, vanquished the communists, fascists and Marxists all over the world, and gave us countless modern wonders sculpted out of iron, glass and steel. We stand on the shoulders of these pioneers who won and built the modern age. These workers who poured their sweat into the skylines of our cities. These warriors who shed their blood on fields of battle and gave everything they had for our rights and for our freedom.

Now it is our time to take up the righteous cause of American liberty. And it is our turn to take America's destiny into our own hands and begin the most thrilling days in the history of our country. This will be our greatest era. With God's help, over the next four years, we are going to lead this nation even higher. And we are going to forge the freest, most advanced, most dynamic and most dominant civilization ever to exist on the face of this Earth. We are going to create the highest quality of life, build the safest and wealthiest and healthiest and most vital communities anywhere in the world. We are going to conquer the vast frontiers of science and we are going to lead humanity into space and plant the American flag on the planet Mars and even far beyond. And through it all, we are going to rediscover the unstoppable power of the American spirit. And we are going to renew unlimited promise of the American dream every single day. We will stand up and we will fight, fight, fight for the country our citizens believe in and for the country our people deserve. My fellow Americans, get ready for an incredible future, because the golden age of America has only just begun.

It will be like nothing that has ever been seen before. Thank you. God bless you, and God bless America.

And there you have it. President Trump addressing a joint session of Congress, his return to Washington and his first speech of its kind in this second term that he's serving on a second consecutive term. But certainly back in Washington, you see Democrats leaving the chamber there, including former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, a very divided chamber. We've seen the chamber divided in these times, but particularly so tonight. In fact, we had talked about it before the speech even started. A bit of a challenge seen facing the Democrats and how to respond to what they perceive as a difficult 44 days, in their view. There isn't sort of a unified response yet from the Democratic Party to a lot of what you've seen from the administration so far, the executive orders of actions. Republicans in that chamber very happy with what they were hearing tonight as you see President Trump walk back down into the crowd.

Thank you very much.

Reaching out to members of the military, which he singled out a number of times, though they didn't applaud. They, they sat there as they often do during these addresses, would not get involved, even though that chamber was a very involved chamber, real really on both sides. The Supreme Court, members of the court just there beside them, also singled out and thanked at one point here in there, a couple of the justices that are on the court because of Donald Trump, Kavanaugh and Coney Barrett as he works his way. Kagan there, Justice Kagan, Chief Justice John Roberts. You heard a lot from the president tonight about immigration. You heard him ask for a sweeping border crackdown bill from both chambers. You heard him talk about the tariffs tonight in the last 24 hours, imposing those tariffs against Canada and Mexico, additional tariffs on China, announcing that reciprocal tariffs will go into effect in April, April 2. He made the joke about not doing it on April Fool's Day so strongly, signaling that there are even more tariffs to come and for additional countries all over the world. Was listening for an explanation of the tariffs, particularly when it comes to Mexico and Canada.

Mary, he talked again about fentanyl, which is a legitimate concern for so many families across this country. Did not necessarily spell out, though, in addition to fentanyl, why he's targeting Canada and Mexico and why he's doing it right now, he did not. And of course, fentanyl and trying to pressure Canada and Mexico to curb the flow of drugs across the border has been one of several reasons that he is cited for imposing these sweeping new tariffs. Of course, less than 1% of the fentanyl seized coming into the US last year actually came from Canada. But, you know, he did make a bit of a nod to the fact that these tariffs may create some economic pain for Americans. He said there might be a little disturbance. But then he went on to actually underscore that he doesn't just view these tariffs as a negotiating tool, but actually a way to enrich the country. He said they're protecting the soul of our country. The tariffs are about making America rich again. And that does sort of run counter to what we've heard from some Republicans who've argued this is just sort of a temporary negotiating tactic.

Now, that said, sources tell us that the president is expected to talk to Canadian President Trudeau tomorrow morning. That that comes, of course, as his Commerce Secretary Lutnick had suggested there might be room to make a deal here, but not necessarily the clarity that I think a lot of Americans may have been looking for as they are bracing for these tariffs. And of course, as you mentioned, you know, he noted those reciprocal tariffs are set to go into effect on April, April 2. The President is saying whatever they tariff us, we will tariff them. Whatever they tax us, we will tax them. David, member of Congress Nancy Mace there, reaching out a number of Republican members of Congress shaking his hand, putting their arms on his back, certainly appreciative of what they heard tonight. Marjorie Taylor Greene right there. Martha, that's the president also making news tonight when it comes to foreign policy and a couple of fronts. First off, Afghanistan, who talked about his predecessor, Joe Biden, the former president, a number of times in very, very critical, harsh language when it comes to the former president, but said that one of the the attackers involved with Abby Gate is on his way back to face justice.

And that was news, David, that was something we had not heard to this point, announcing that he said the top ISIS terrorist responsible for the bombing at abbey gate in 2021, when the Americans were withdrawing in that chaotic, truly disastrous withdrawal, apparently they have arrested someone with the help of the Pakistanis. And the president said that person is back, is coming back to the United States as we speak. And that again, is the first we have heard of that. He, of course, has been very critical of what happened in Afghanistan, although originally he's the one who wanted to withdraw. You heard him say tonight it wasn't the withdrawal itself, it was the way it was done. Yeah, not the withdrawal, but the way it was carried out. Again, critical of his predecessor. And on Ukraine, as you reported on World News Tonight, Martha, President Zelensky signaling very strongly that he's ready for that minerals deal and also ready to seek peace with Russia. And he also offered praise for President Trump, which clearly he believed the president needed to hear from him. A lot of praise heaping on that praise. And I think he was speaking directly to Donald Trump and saying our meeting at the White House on Friday did not go the way it was supposed to.

It is regrettable that it happened that way. It is time to make things right, she said. Lindsay Davis, this is the longest address to address joint session of Congress ever, longest State of the Union ever, even though it's technically not a State of the Union. He broke Bill Clinton's record. That's right, from 2000. A number of people here, though, clearly not bothered by the length of time. Many of them, as you can hear, they're saying, great speech, job well done, Mr. President. Interesting, though, to note with regard to many people talked about when they were voting for president that it all boiled down to the cost of eggs. And ultimately we really didn't hear so much of a plan for that. When you talked about how he'd been critical of his predecessor, Joe Biden, he was blaming him for the high cost of eggs, even though he said once he became president, he'd be able to bring it down. With regard to tariffs, he wasn't really able to say other than he said it may cause a little disturbance, but we're okay with that. Pew surveys don't suggest that that's true. Yeah, he said I love the farmers, but they could feel a little bit of pain again, know they felt this in his first presidency.

John Carl, as we look at the chamber emptying out, we're going to stay tuned here for the Democratic response. But what did you make of what you heard tonight? The energy and length of that speech, again, as the longest speech by far ever in a State of the Union or joint address to Congress. But just how fervent the supporters were on the Republican side and the absolute silence on the Democratic side. Okay, much more from you, John, right after the break when we come back here. Stay tuned. Senator Alyssa Slotkin of Michigan. She'll deliver the Democratic response to President Trump right here in a moment. Don't miss that, we'll be right back.

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We are surrounded by sharks. We can't move and we can't send a distress signal. Now you can listen to a podcast version of Nightline. Available free wherever you listen. Welcome back to ABC News live coverage. Tonight, just moments from now, Michigan's freshman senator Alyssa Slotkin will deliver the Democratic response to President Trump's address to the joint session of Congress. Senator Chuck Schumer, calling her a rising star in the party. At age 48, she became the youngest Democratic woman Elected to the Senate, she previously served in the House. Before that, she served as a CIA analyst in Iraq. Now, her task tonight, delivering a solid Democratic message, of course. Sitting setting forth the party's agenda if they hope to proclaim the House and the Senate. Let's listen. Hi, everyone. I'm Melissa Slotkin. I'm honored to have the opportunity to speak tonight. It's late, so I promise to be a lot shorter than what you just watched. I won't take it personally if you've never heard of me. I'm the new senator from the great state of Michigan, where I grew up. I've been in public service my entire life because I happened to be in New York City on 911 when the twin Towers came down.

Before the smoke cleared, I knew I wanted to make a life in national security. I was recruited by the CIA and did three tours in Iraq alongside the military. In between, I worked at the White House under President Bush and President Obama, two very different leaders who both believed that America is exceptional. You can find that same sense of patriotism here in Wyandotte, Michigan, where I'm speaking from tonight. It's a working class town just south of Detroit. President Trump and I both won here in November. It might not seem like it, but plenty of places like this still exist across the United States. Places where people believe that if you work hard and play by the rules, you should do well and your kids should do better. It reminds me of how I grew up. My dad was a lifelong Republican, my mom a lifelong Democrat. But it was never a big deal because we had shared values that were bigger than any one party. We just went through another fraught election season. Reason Americans made it clear that prices are too high and that the government needs to be more responsive to their needs.

America wants change, but there's a responsible way to make change and a reckless way. And we can make that change without forgetting who we are as a country and as a democracy. So that's what I'm going to lay out tonight, because whether you're from Wyandotte or Wichita, most Americans share three core beliefs. That the middle class is the engine of our country. That strong national security protects us from harm, and that our democracy, no matter how messy, is unparalleled and worth fighting for. Let's start with the economy. Michigan literally invented the middle class. The revolutionary idea that you could work at an auto plant and afford the car you were building. That's the American dream. And in order to expand and protect the middle class, we have to do A few basic things we need to bring down the price of things we spend the most money on. Groceries, housing, health care. We need to make more things in America with good paying union jobs and bring our supply chains back home from places like China. We need to give American businesses the certainty they need to invest and create the jobs of the future.

And we need a tax system that's fair for people who don't happen to make a billion dollars. Look, the President talked a big game on the economy, but it's always important to read the fine print. So do his plans actually help Americans get ahead? Not even close. President Trump is trying to deliver an unprecedented giveaway to his billionaire friends. He's on the hunt to find trillions of dollars to pass along to the wealthiest in America. And to do that, he's going to make you pay in every part of your life. Grocery and home prices are going up, not down. And he hasn't laid out a credible plan to deal with either of those. His tariffs on allies like Canada will raise prices on energy, lumber and cars and start a trade war that will hurt manufacturing and farmers. Your premiums and prescriptions will cost more. Because the math on his proposals doesn't work without going after your health care. Meanwhile, for those keeping score, the national debt is going up, not down. And if he's not careful, he could walk us right into a recession. And one more thing. In order to pay for his plan, he could very well come after your retirement.

The Social Security, Medicare, and VA benefits you worked your whole life to earn. The President claims he won't, but Elon Musk just called Social Security the biggest Ponzi scheme of all time? While we're on the subject of Elon Musk, is there anyone in America who is comfortable with him and his gang of 20 year olds using their own computer servers to poke through your tax returns, your health information and your bank accounts. No oversight, no protections against cyber attack, no guardrails on what they do with your private data. We need a more efficient government. You want to cut waste? I'll help you do it. But change doesn't need to be chaotic or make us less safe. The mindless firing of people who work to protect our nuclear weapons, keep our planes from crashing, and conduct the research that finds the cure for cancer, only to rehire them two days later. No CEO in America could do that without being summarily fired. So we've talked about economic security. How about national security? Let's start with the border. As someone who spent my whole career protecting our homeland, Every country deserves to know who and what is coming across its border, Period.

Democrats and Republicans should all be for that. But securing the border without actually fixing our broken immigration system is dealing with the symptom and not the disease. America is a nation of immigrants. We need a functional system, key to the needs of our economy, that allows vetted people to come and work here legally. So I look forward to the president's plan on that, because here's the thing. Today's world is deeply interconnected. Migration, cyber threats, AI, environmental destruction, terrorism. One nation cannot face these issues alone. We need friends in all corners, and our safety depends on it. President Trump loves to say peace through strength. That's actually a line he stole from Ronald Reagan. But let me tell you, after the spectacle that just took place in the Oval Office last week, Reagan must be rolling in his grave. We all want an end to the war in Ukraine, but Reagan understood that true strength required America to combine our military and economic might with moral clarity. And that scene in the Oval Office wasn't just a bad episode of reality tv. It summed up Trump's whole approach to the world. He believes in cozying up to dictators like Vladimir Putin and kicking our friends like the Canadians in the teeth.

He sees American leadership as merely a series of real estate transactions. As a Cold War kid, I'm thankful it was Reagan and not Trump in office in the 1980s. Trump would have lost us the Cold War. Donald Trump's actions suggest that in his heart, he doesn't believe we're an exceptional nation. He clearly doesn't think we should lead the world. Look, America is not perfect. But I stand with the majority of Americans who believe we are still exceptional, unparalleled. And I would rather have American leadership over Chinese or Russian leadership any day of the week. Because for generations, America has offered something better. Our security and our prosperity. Yes, but our democracy, our very system of government, has been the aspiration of the world. And right now, it's at risk. It's at risk when the President decides you can pick and choose what rules you want to follow, when he ignores court orders and the Constitution itself, or when elected leaders stand by and just let it happen. But it's also at risk when the President pits Americans against each other, when he demonizes those who are different and tells certain people they shouldn't be included.

Because America is not just a patch of land between two oceans. We are more than that. Generations have fought and died to secure the fundamental rights that define us. Those rights, and the fight for them make Us, who we are are. We're a nation of strivers, risk takers, innovators. And we are never satisfied. That is America's superpower. And look, I've lived and worked in many countries. I've seen democracies flicker out. I've seen what life is like when a government is rigged. You can't open a business without paying off a corrupt official. You can't criticize the guys in charge without getting a knock at the door in the middle of the night. So as much as we need to make our government more responsive to our lives today, don't for one moment fool yourself that democracy isn't precious and worth saving. But how do we actually do that? I know a lot of you have been asking that question. First, don't tune out. It's easy to be exhausted, but America needs you now more than ever. If previous generations had not fought for this democracy, where would we be today? Second, hold your elected officials, including me, accountable.

Watch how they're voting. Go to town halls and demand they take action. That's as American as apple pie. Third, organize. Pick just one issue you're passionate about and engage. And doom scrolling doesn't count. Join a group that cares about your issue and act. And if you can't find one, start one. Some of the most important movements in our history have come come from the bottle up. In closing, we all know that our country is going through something right now. We're not sure what the next day is going to hold, let alone the next decade. But this isn't the first time we've experienced significant and tumultuous change as a country. I'm a student of history and we've gone through periods of political instability before and ultimately we've chosen to keep changing this country for the better. But every single time, we've only gotten through those moments because of two engaged citizens and principled leaders. Engaged citizens who do a little bit more than they're used to doing to fight for the things that they care about. And principled leaders who are ready to receive the ball and do something about it. So thank you tonight for caring about your country just by watching, watching you qualify as engaged citizens.

And I promise that I and my fellow Democrats will do everything in our power to be the principal leaders that you deserve. Good night, everyone. There you have it. Michigan's freshman Senator Alyssa Slotkin giving the Democratic response tonight. We just have a few moments left here. I want to bring in Rachel Scott who is in the chamber now. We see you, Rachel. We could hear you before and you witnessed the whole evening. We've covered the president already. Let's just ask a question, quick question on the Democratic response because we heard a couple of important things from Senator Slok in there. First of all, she's from Michigan. That's a state that went for President Trump. She was the beneficiary of split ticket voters who voted for him, but who voted for her as a Democratic senator, a freshman senator. She talked about her father being a Republican, her mother being a Democrat growing up, but that their shared values in the family were much bigger than a political party. This would seem to be a message, message that she's trying to put forward for the Democrats. Responsible change instead of reckless change. She said responsible change instead of reckless change, David.

That was the response from her. And it comes at a pivotal time as the Democratic Party is really struggling with their message going forward, not only from the defeat at the White House of President Trump elected to be our president, but also both chambers now being controlled by Republicans. This, this is the strong majority that President Trump wanted to see. And so there's been this disjointed response from Democrats on how exactly to confront what President Trump is pushing forward with. And you heard there from Slok in this effort to sort of get back to the kitchen table issues, focus on the economy, things that helped her ultimately win the election. The big question here, what exactly Democrats are going to do going forward? David that's right. She said stay engaged. Rachel Scott live on Capitol Hill. Rachel, thank you. And thanks to all the Republicans, Democrats, Independents at home who stayed up with us here tonight. For John, Mary, Martha, Lindsey and all of us here at ABC News, thanks for watching. Our coverage continues on ABC News Live, Nightline and of course, GMA first thing in the morning. I'll see you tomorrow. For World News Tonight, I'm David Muir.

Good night. The President of the United States.

America is back. We have accomplished more in 43 days than most administrations accomplished in four years, eight years. And we are just getting started. Finding that members continue to engage in.

Willful and concerted disruption of proper decorum. The chair now directs the sergeant at arms to restore order. Remove this gentleman from the chamber and.

These people sitting right here will not clap, will not stand, and certainly will not cheer for these astronomical achievements. They won't do it, no matter what. Upon taking office, I impose an immediate freeze on all federal hiring, a freeze on all new federal regulations and a freeze on all foreign aid. And we have ended weaponized government where, as an example, a sitting president is allowed to viciously prosecute his political opponent like me. How did that work out? Not too good. We've ended the tyranny of so called diversity, equity and inclusion policies all across the entire federal government and indeed the private sector and our military. And our country will be woke no longer. To further combat inflation, we will not only be reducing the cost of energy, but will be ending the flagrant waste of taxpayer dollars. And to that end, I have created the brand new Department of Government Efficiency. Go. Perhaps you've heard of it, which is headed by Eli Musk, who is in the gallery tonight. By slashing all of the fraud, waste and theft we can find, we will defeat inflation, bring down mortgage rates, lower car payments and grocery prices, protect our seniors, and put more money in the pockets of American families.

Meanwhile, we have hundreds of thousands of federal workers who have not been showing up to work. And any federal bureaucrat who resist this change will be removed from office immediately because we are draining the swamp. It's very simple. And the days of rule by unelected bureaucrats are over. Remind us that tariffs are not just about protecting American jobs. They're about protecting the soul of our country. Tariffs are about making America rich again and making America great again. And it's happening. And it will happen rather quickly. There'll be a little disturbance. The golden age of America has only just begun. It will be like nothing that has ever been seen before. Thank you, God bless you and God bless America.

Hey, everyone, I'm Lindsay Davis. Thanks so much for streaming with us. We do begin with our special coverage from Washington tonight of President Trump's address, the longest joint address to Congress in modern history. Donald Trump touted the accomplishments of his first six weeks in office, saying, our pride is back, our confidence is back, and the American dream is surging. At a time when pocketbook issues and uncertainty in the economy is top of mind for many Americans. The President highlighted tax cuts, including American made cars and new investments from Oracle, SoftBank and Apple. Trump assured American farmers that they'll reap benefits from his tariffs after a, quote, adjustment period. And he commended Elon Musk for his work in the Department of Government Efficiency, cutting what he called appalling waste, including DEI and foreign aid. President Trump says that Ukraine is close to coming to the negotiating table for a peace deal with Russia. The President declared our country woke no longer and called on Congress to ban and criminalize gender reassignment. It was a sharply divided chamber with celebratory Republicans on one side and solemn Democrats on the other, many in protest, holding paddles reading false and save Medicaid.

Several members left. And Texas Representative Al Green was escorted out after disrupting the president's speech. And you just heard the Democratic rebuttal to the president by freshman Michigan Senator Alyssa Slotkin. She's a rising star of the Democratic Party with extensive national security experience. Two months into her US Senate term, her home state of Michigan bracing for the impacts of President Trump's including on the auto industry. And moments ago, President Trump just arrived back at the White House after his record breaking speech. Just ahead, we'll be joined live by the United States Secretary of Transportation, Sean Duffy. But first, let's bring in our powerhouse political team. We have everybody here, Mary, John, Martha, Mary, let's start with you. Obviously, we were keeping track of the time, the longest address to the Congress ever, beating out Clinton from 2000. Give us a sense of what the White House is saying about tonight. Well, they certainly feel that the president did a very good job tonight. They feel that he set the right tone, that it was optimistic. I'm told that was the word that one White House official just used to describe this to me. Look, the president did what he came to do in the sense that he laid out everything that he's done in the last 44 days in office, that flurry of executive actions, trying to really, I think, crystallize for the American people what he's done so far.

Also trying to sell some of what he's done, especially when it comes to Doge and these efforts to overhaul the federal government. He spent a large chunk of this very long speech going through and listing off areas where he feels they've saved money, where they've been able to, to make effective costs. And that's, of course, because we know that he is facing some pushback from voters and even from some Republican members of Congress who are facing pushback from their voters at these town halls, that there is some frustration, not necessarily with the goal of Doge and the effort to cut and trim some fat in the federal bureaucracy, but the way in which they are going about it. In fact, we've seen some Republican leaders urging members not to have those in person town halls. And then of course, he really tried to defend his tariffs, making clear that, yes, while he, you know, admits that there may be some adjustment, there may be some disturbance, disturbance. So Americans may need to brace for some economic pain here. As he has said in the past, he launched a full throated defense of why he feels that these tariffs are ultimately good for America, saying they will enrich the country And Martha, let's bring you in here.

I was struck by him talking about Greenland in particular, saying that we're going to get it one way or another. I know. I think our ears are all perked up on that. It seemed like he spent more time talking about that perhaps than Gaza or Ukraine. He did. He did. He really didn't give much time to Gaza and Israel or Ukraine. And Ukraine has been so on fire in the news since last Friday in that really disastrous, chaotic Oval Office meeting with President Zelensky where they, he and J.D. vance berated Zelensky over and over again and basically kicked him out of the White House after that. So he said very little about that. He's talked about Greenland and Panama before, but that's exactly right. Talked about them far more than Ukraine. I mean, he did say that. He did acknowledge that President Zelensky today did make statements saying it was regrettable what happened in the Oval Office. And Zelensky also said he's ready for negotiations. But I also kept remembering, he said Donald Trump said he would solve that war. He would end that war in 24 hours. He said he would end it even before he took office.

And even if they start those peace negotiations, even if they get that mineral deal, they got a long way to go. I mean, those are the complicated, very complicated details. But clearly President Zelensky is eager for that to start and again said it was regrettable what happened, even though they were berating him. And John, you covered a number of these speeches. Did this seem more divisive than those in the past? You know, it really did. We've come accustomed to that chamber being incredibly divided. I mean, this is not new.

We saw it throughout the four State of the Union addresses that Trump gave the first time around, throughout all of Biden's State of the Union addresses.

But there was something different here, and that is the absolute fervents of the support that he has from Republicans when he was president. The first time around, there were still pockets of resistance within the Republican Party in the Republican leadership that weren't fully on board with all things Trump. That seemed to be a genuinely enthusiastic, full on. All in all, Trump Republican Party and the Democrats just didn't know how to respond. I mean, you had some who decided not to go to the speech at all. You had some that decided to walk out.

You had Al Green decide to make.

A scene to be forced out. You saw others who just thought that.

They would be there and kind of.

Scowl their way through. Trump played into that. I mean, it was striking to me, even when Trump was recognizing Mark Fogle and his return from Russia to pan over to the Democratic side of the aisle and see Democrats like Senator Adam Schiff not even applauding. I mean, this is a guy who was, you know, prisoner in Russia and is now free at home.

Quite a moving story. That said, the Democrats did seem to.

Kind of bring it home with Alyssa Slotkin. That's the hardest assignment in politics, is.

To respond to a State of the Union address.

And I thought she had a quite effective and quite short, purposely short response. But Democrats are still trying to figure out how to deal with this. Donna Brazile has said of Slotkin that she can not only preach to the choir, but she preaches to the congregation, whether you're Democrat, Republican, independent. Clearly that was her attempt tonight and it was so powerful for her to stay there. I am standing here in a place that I won and that Donald Trump won. Sure. A split ticket there. All right, Martha, Mary, John, all the biblical names. We thank you so much for joining us once again. That's right. I do want to bring in Rachel Scott, who's still there in the Capitol. And Rachel, we were talking about the colors of protest. How come Democrats chose not to come or walked out or they had the paddles give us the actual color that you saw being there in the building. Well, Lindsey, it didn't take all but 10 minutes for us to see Congressman Al Green stand up and just start yelling things toward the president saying that there would not be a mandate for Medicaid. It got to the point where there were so many disruptions that the speaker of the House owed ultimately tried calling it to order multiple times, instructed the sergeant at arms to remove those members who were being disruptive.

So we saw Greene be escorted out of the chamber. Look, I've covered Congress for a number of years now. My colleague John Parkinson has covered Congress for about 15 years. He says he has never seen anything like that happen in the House chamber during a joint address, during a joining address to a joint session of Congress or State of the Union. And then there was sort of the split other response from Democrats, those who are protesting silently holding up these paddles in the air, saying that Elon Musk is lying, that he cannot be a king, trying to fact check the president in real time. We also saw several Democrats just get up and leave. They turn their backs. They had resist on the back of their T shirts and they just walked out of the chamber. So really not a coordinated response from Democrats on this front. It seems like they're factions of the party that really wanted to express their viewpoints in different ways. Ultimately, though, it does raise the question for the minority leader, Hakeem Jeffries, who did call for decorum in that chamber today. Lindsey. All right, Rachel Scott, it was quite something to observe.

Our thanks to you as always. Want to bring in Jay O'Brien, who joins us as well from the Capitol. And Jay, I know you've been chasing down the Democrats who left the chamber early, willingly or otherwise. What are they telling you tonight? Yeah, Al Green removed from the chamber, Lindsey, because of that interruption, at least five Democrats, by our count, walking out of the chamber. Midway through, I spoke with one of the Melanie Stansberry. I asked her, was that walk out during Trump's address not being removed but just walking out of their own volition planned ahead of time? She indicated that it was. She said there were Democrats who wanted to get into, quote, unquote, good trouble, she said, quoting John Lewis there. I also asked Al Green, though, why he chose to walk out of the chamber, but rather while he chose to interrupt President Trump and then be removed from the chamber. He said he was concerned about Medicaid cuts outlined, he says in the House Republican blueprint. Republicans have said they have not outlined any specific cuts to Medicaid at this point. And then I asked him something that Rachel just noted, which is that Leader Jeffries called on Democrats to have decorum and to be dignified in that chamber tonight.

Did Congressman Green feel he was living up to what Hakeem Jeffries told Democrats to do? Here's what Green said. Leader Jeffries called for decorum. He called for a dignified Democratic presence. Do you feel you were following his wishes by standing up and disrupting? I was following the wishes of conscience. There are times, times when it is better to stand alone than not stand at all.

This president is disrupting the health care system. He is all but defying court orders. At some point, we are all going.

To have to stand up. So Al Green's take on exactly what transpired in that chamber, Lindsey. But I can tell you there is still this looming question over Democrats. While we saw those demonstrations tonight, will they be willing to go further and threaten their votes, votes that Speaker Mike Johnson is almost certainly going to need to pass a temporary government funding measure in just 10 days from now and avert a government shutdown? We've heard from some Democrats who have left that option open, but we haven't heard from Democratic leadership, Akeem Jeffries on down on this issue and that that is the next thing that Congress is going to have to tackle here. Lindsey. Yeah, that clock quickly ticking down. Jay O'Brien, our thanks to you as always. I want to bring in Elizabeth Schulzie. And Elizabeth, President Trump spent several minutes tonight defending his decision to impose those sweeping tariffs on Mexico, Canada and China. He also blamed the Biden administration for what he called an economic catastrophe, even claiming the former president is responsible for the high prices of eggs. Right. And we know that the high price of eggs right now is at a record that was hit under the Trump administration, Lindsey, about $5 on average per dozen eggs, a lot more expensive than that in other parts of the country.

But the president putting the blame on the Biden administration, when you look at the data here, what it shows you is that the egg prices that we're seeing right now and some of the shortages are caused by bird flu. That was a phenomenon that was dealt with during the Biden administration and is continuing to now resurface under the Trump administration. But it is really notable that one of the suggestions from the Trump administration to deal with those rising egg prices is to import more eggs from other countries. Well, it turns out where the US Imports a lot of its eggs is from Canada. And now we have these 25% tariffs in effect. Well, that would make those imports a lot more expensive. The president was light on details when it came to how he would lower costs in general, which of course was a promise that he made. Day one was to try to bring down the cost for everyday essentials, including groceries. And the president mentioned a couple of times there will be a little disturbance when these tariffs kick in. How soon can Americans expect to feel the impact of this decision? Acknowledging there the reality that companies could very quickly decide to pass down some of those higher costs from tariffs to American households, it's estimated could be of to $2,000 on average per household.

When you look at the cost of those tariffs, and that's on top of existing price increases that have already been in place for so many day to day essentials, not just groceries. Rent, gas prices could also go up. So when you're thinking about these tariffs, groceries, probably the most immediate impact. Target CEO said price hikes could happen on goods from Mexico. So produce like tomatoes, avocado, strawberries, those prices could go up within days. Some of the other goods that we're talking about could go up within weeks or months. So car parts, car prices overall, other machinery, shoes, electronics, these tariffs are really sweeping in their nature. Lindsey. Across the board on the biggest trading partners of the US and that's why there is this disruption to the economy and uncertainty, too, in the stock market. When you think about this dramatic move that we've seen lower in the stock market over the past couple of days. Yeah, stock market down, inflation is up, things not moving in the direction that many Americans had hoped for. Elizabeth Schulzie, our thanks to you. I want to bring in Trump's administrator of the Small Business Administration, Kelly Lefler.

Thank you so much for joining us. What did you make of the president's speech tonight? Well, Lindsey, it was a tour de force of a president who's 42 days in that has more accomplishments in those 42 days than Joe Biden had in four years. We heard him, him talk about closing the border to violent, criminal, illegal aliens. We heard him talk about $100 billion in cost savings from Doge. We heard him talk about keeping men out of women's sports. And we heard about $1.7 trillion in investment already. That's it took Joe Biden four years to get $1 trillion. People are investing in America. It is a new day in America. And people at home had to have loved what they've seen from this great president. One question, though. We've of course, been talking a lot about the economy. Sources say that the president is set to speak to Canadian Prime Minister Trudeau tomorrow. Are you concerned that these tariffs with our allies will place undue burden on small business owners? Well, certainly tariffs is something that President Trump has a tremendous track record record with. During his first administration, he successfully implemented tariffs that leveled the playing field, resulted in about 2.1% inflation tariffs that Joe Biden kept in place.

And if we are going to level the playing field for American manufacturing, this is our best tool right now. President Trump is an incredibly strategic negotiator, and we have to make sure that we're putting America first. That's what this does. President Trump himself said, look, there could be some minor disturbances, but that's not going to be permanent. And this is something that we worked through in the past and came out the other side better for it. And that's something that Joe Biden even agreed with it by keeping those tariffs on. And we've heard, though, the CEOs of big companies warning Americans to get ready to pay more for food in a matter of days. If big corporations are concerned, what's your message To America's roughly 33 million small business owners? Well made in America is our path forward. We learned that during the pandemic. Our supply chains being overseas is driving our costs up, our dependency makes us less safe, strong, secure and prosperous. And so made in America is a tremendous opportunity for small businesses. Most small businesses in America, most manufacturers are small businesses. And fortunately, President Trump is someone that loves small business.

He always says, Kelly, small business is big business. So he knows this is going to power a revolution on Main street to create a blue collar boom to ensure that we can live the American dream again. And that starts on Main Street. Kelly Loeffler, we thank you so much for your time and insight tonight. Really appreciate it. Thank you. Immigration was also a topic the president touched on on several occasions throughout the night. And our Maria Villarreal joins us now for more on this. Maria? As expected, the president touted his administration's immigration achievements just five minutes into his speech tonight. Let's take a listen to some of his words.

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 ever.

Maria, do the numbers back up the president's claims? You know, listen, I think, I think it's no surprise, Lindsey, that this is his comfort zone. He loves talking about the border and immigration. He feels very supported, especially in that room tonight. But when you're talking about saying that you had the lowest numbers ever recorded, I mean, you have to go down to the semantics of it. I mean, really, the U.S. only started recording apprehension numbers, you know, in 1925. So I think that there's a little distance discrepancy there in how far back we go in just collecting the data. But I'm pretty sure he's probably referencing new numbers that just came out from the Border Patrol chief, talking about how not only did we see the lowest numbers recorded, you know, in the month of February, just over 8,000 apprehensions, but then he's comparing those numbers to 2024. But a lot has happened over the last year. We obviously saw the executive order that was put in place by the Biden administration over the last eight to 10 months, we've seen a steady decrease. And while there is, you know, obviously some significance to what we've seen over the last two months during this particular administration, you know, playing with the numbers to favor this administration is what we are unsure of.

We still haven't gotten secure and accurate data of what has happened really, over the last eight weeks. And so the president said, quote, that he repelled the invasion of our country. But we really didn't hear a plan from him moving forward. What could the administration's immigration priority look like now that they allege that the border situation is controlled? Not much talk tonight also about the massive deportations that he initially campaigned on. You know, listen, I think it was very run and gun for the first few weeks because that's what he had ready to go and in place. He had the logistics and the resources to only do what we have already seen happen. So that basically means the ICE enforcement and the raids, being able to send the military down to the border, all of that kind of comes under this umbrella of him saying that the border is a national security threat. However, in order to really get to that campaign promise of not just deporting all those people, but then obviously sending more resources and technology down to the border. He needs one thing, Lindsey, and that's money. So we heard him nod to that tonight, saying that he wants a border security bill to come together between both sides of Congress.

And the one thing that he needs from both sides is the money. There is no way you're going to put more manpower, which is border Patrol, ICE agents, dea, all the federal agencies here. You know, put more judges in the court system, you know, create legal pathways to citizenship, add more technology. The only way you do that is by more Congress, more funding from Congress. And again, you know, we're probably going to see those discussions ramp up back again in the next few weeks. All right, Maria Villarreal, we know you'll be staying on top of it for us. Thank you. Now let's bring in President Trump's White House chief of staff from his first administration, Reince Priebus, an ABC News contributor, and former progressive Senate candidate Christina Sin Soon Ramirez. Thank you both for joining us. Reince, let's start with you. What did you think of the president's speech tonight? Well, I thought it was extremely strong. And when he talked about, he said common sense revolution, giving the government back to the people, that the government works for the people, the people don't work for the government, I thought was really insightful into the, the mindset of the president when he said that he was saved by God to make America great again.

And I really thought when I heard that that that really explains this blitzkrieg mission that he's been on over the last several weeks as president. I also thought that the Democrats found themselves again, and you and Jonathan and the panel talked about this, but the Democrats found themselves again standing in the 25% on these issues. I mean, they couldn't stand up for just taking these notes. They couldn't stand up for no tax on tips. They couldn't stand up for no tax on American cars. They couldn't stand up for no taxes on Social Security. They couldn't stand up for Russian prisoners being brought back to the United States. They couldn't stand up for record low border crossings. And they couldn't stand up for no boys in girls sports, even though half.

The women were wearing pink.

I mean, it's just like it's almost if they don't get it now, I will say the senator from Michigan did a good job of laying out the things that we can agree on, a strong middle class, a strong defense, that democracy is still worth fighting for. I mean, she lost it when she tried to defend the Democrats actions on the border. She lost it when she started trying to claim the President Trump is trying to raid Social Security. But again, the Democrats can't find their footing. And it was very clear tonight that the president was taking a victory lap. He was pounding the Democrats into the ground. I think they embarrassed themselves out of the gate with walkouts and disorganized protests. And Al Green made a fool of himself as well. So again, it's just more of the same from the Democrats. They just can't seem to get their act together. Christine, your Christina, your response to Reince on that. Did you feel that the Democrats didn't have a cohesive strategy tonight? No. What I feel is that nearly every single Republican that has come on this show and responded sounds like a cult follower because the Republican Party has become the cult of Donald Trump and they're unwilling to stand up on the issues that Americans truly care about or stand up to Donald Trump when he is wrong, when he goes against the interests of the American people.

Look, Donald Trump was elected to address one major issue for the American people, their deep economic pain. He barely talked about the economy. There are rising costs of inflation. Half of Americans can barely afford their rent. And now tariffs are coming into play. And I'll tell you what, one thing. Donald Trump and Elon Musk have no idea what it's like when an average American is looking at, am I going to afford my rent or am I going to afford my groceries? So when he says there's going to be a little more pain for American farmers, for American consumers, for American for what? The American people are broken. They deserve a government, a president that understands their economic pain and responds to it. And you didn't hear anything about that and that's also why you didn't you hear him talk about Elon Musk saving American taxpayers money? Well, Doge of course has helped shutter the Consumer Financial Protection bureau that saved $20 billion for American consumers. And Elon Musk and Doge have falsely reported by billions of dollars the supposed money they've saved the American people. Well, if Elon Musk wants to save the American people some money, he should return the $38 billion that he has received for his companies feeding and leeching off of the American people and government for his own profit and benefit.

That's where we can actually see some real cost savings. Much more than anything he's come near saving for the American people in Doge. Reince, want to just give you 30 seconds. She said you sound like a cult follower. Well, her answers are too complicated. I mean, the fact of the matter is we're 36 trillion in debt too complicated for Americans to have to decide between rent and groceries. That's not complicated. Whether the CFPB is what their funding is and what taxpayer money it saves. We're going broke in this country. And people have had it with a bloated, out of control Washington D.C. and what about Elon Musk having $30 million loaded? Keep going. From the American people? That's all right, Christina. Let's just let Reince continue. That's okay. Just, it's fine. I mean, this is what, this is why the Democrats can't win, because they're unhinged. Their arguments are wildly complicated. And the fact of the matter is he was elected for simple things. And every single thing that President Trump is doing right now, whether you like him or hate him, every single thing he's doing, he campaigned on. He said he was going to do it.

Even all the things you hate, he laid it out. He was elected. And the Democrats are flat footed and they've got no answers. Christina, give you the final word here tonight. Donald Trump was elected to address the economy. It's getting worse. The stock market is falling, consumer prices are going up, inflation is rising. That is economic pain. That's not complicated. And maybe it's complicated to you, but is it rent, is it groceries, is it gas for the American people? Ultimately, that is what has to be answered. Because this deep economic pain is not going away for the American people. And ultimately, I think that that's, that's why you see Republicans telling senators and congressmen, don't go home and meet the voters that you should be accountable to. Because right now they're angry at Doge and gutting of the va, gutting of possibly Social Security, of Elon Musk, calling Social Security the biggest Ponzi scheme. Ultimately, Americans will decide who has power in 2026. And it'll be the failure to address their economic pain and instead serve the top 1% instead of the majority of Americans that will make Republicans lose in 2026. Christina Sinsoon Ramirez, Reince Priebus, we thank you both so much for the academic debate tonight so that we can have these conversations and Americans can ultimately decide.

Thank you both so much. Joining us now, Washington Bureau chief Rick Klein. Rick, let's get straight to Elon Musk in the chamber tonight. President Trump introduced the richest man in the world to ruckus. Applause from Republicans. What did you make of that? Yeah, Lindsey, it's extraordinary and I think it's an acknowledgement of the power that Elon Musk has in this room that was filled with powerful people, senators, congressmen, of course, the vice president and the House speaker, the members of the Supreme Court, members of the military. It might be Elon Musk, who, second only to Donald Trump, is the most powerful man right now in the country, given his economic power, given the social media power he has through X and given the proximity to the president. And yes, so much of what has been accomplished in this first 40 something days of Donald Trump has been because of the work that Elon Musk has done and because of the power that Donald Trump has given Musk. And it is an extraordinary phenomenon that we're watching. And the raucous applause from Republicans, the silence and all those signs to rebuke him from Democrats show how polarizing he is and in some ways how effective he has been because he has captured the national conversation and done an extraordinary amount in a relatively short period of time.

And very interesting, he went right to him many minutes before we heard anything about a mention of J.D. vance, of course, as vice president. But Rick Klein, thank you so much for your insight as always. For more on what the president had to say tonight, let's bring in ABC senior White House correspondent Selena Wang. And Selena, the president made a series of claims tonight on prices, blaming former President Biden for the high cost of eggs. He also said that tariffs would be a little disturbance for Americans, but not too much. What's the context? Context here? Yeah, exactly, Lindsey. So the context on the egg prices, they were increasing under former President Biden, but they've been surging under President Trump. And the reason why is because of the bird flu. And when it comes to context around those tariffs? Well, economists say it's going to cause a lot more than just a little disturbance. We're talking about significant tariffs on our three biggest trading partners. Economists warn that this could upend global supply chain since shockwaves through the global economy and increase inflation. That's because tariffs are taxes on goods that U.S. importers pay. They largely pass on those higher costs to consumers.

So we're talking about higher prices for groceries, for cars, for clothes and a lot more. And if you think about a car, the estimate is that this could go up by thousands of dollars because car parts pass through the borders between Canada, US And Mexico so many different times that those costs could really add up. Lindsey, and ultimately, what was your takeaway? If we give you the final word of the night on the president's address, did this seem more divisive to you than in the past? Well, what's very clear is that President Trump giving the speech this time around, he is feeling emboldened, he is feeling confident. This is really his Washington. With Republican control of both the House and the Senate, the president going through and ticking off everything he's accompanied accomplished in these less than two months. He believes that this is promises made and promises kept. Although within the audience there, you saw very split divisiveness on the accomplishments of this. In his view, he's doing exactly what he campaigned on. All right, Selena Wang, our thanks to you as always. And that wraps up our coverage of the presidential address to Congress, President Trump's first since taking office office for the second time.

I'm Lindsey Davis. Be sure to stay tuned to ABC News LIVE for more context and analysis of the day's top stories. Thanks so much for streaming with us. Look at where we are practicing medicine on the ocean.