- President Trump delivered his first address to Congress in his second term, focusing on social issues and key topics like tariffs, the border, energy costs and inflation.
- Trump emphasized his administration’s efforts to lower illegal border crossings, boost energy production, and reduce government waste. He announced plans for a massive natural gas pipeline in Alaska and vowed to balance the federal budget.
- Additionally, Trump introduced reciprocal tariffs and claimed swift action was just the beginning of his agenda.
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President Donald Trump delivered his first address to Congress in his second term Tuesday night, March 4. He outlined his political agenda, discussed national issues and set the tone for the year ahead.
Trump focused on social issues, including banning transgender athletes from women’s and girls’ sports and ending diversity, equity, and inclusion programs in the military.
The president also addressed the recent election, calling it a mandate from the American people to pass his agenda. He touched on tariffs, the border, cutting government fraud and waste, and lowering energy costs to help reduce inflation.
Things get off to a slightly rowdy start
Within minutes, Trump declared that the momentum, spirit and confidence of America is back and that the country is on the verge of a comeback.
Democrats objected, and Rep. Al Green, D-Texas, interrupted the proceedings. After several warnings, Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., asked the sergeant-at-arms to remove Green from the chamber.
Johnson reminded lawmakers to follow proper decorum, and there were no other major disruptions following Green’s removal.
Trump touts swift border security measures
Trump quickly transitioned to discussing the country’s borders, touting February’s border numbers.
“Within hours of taking the oath of office, I declared a national emergency on our southern border,” Trump said. “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.”
Trump addresses inflation, energy independence
The president also highlighted one of his highest priorities: lowering inflation and controlling prices for working families. He emphasized that lowering energy costs would be central to achieving this goal.
“To do this,” Trump said, “we will be opening power plants and drilling.”
He continued, “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’ve fully authorized the most talented team ever assembled to go and get it. It’s called ‘drill, baby, drill,'” he said to Republican applause.
In Alaska, Trump announced plans to open a natural gas pipeline project. “My administration is also working on a gigantic natural gas pipeline in 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.”
Musk, DOGE get a shoutout
Trump also mentioned the work of Elon Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), saying that the group is helping cut waste and fraud, which will ultimately benefit American taxpayers.
“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 it,” Trump said, referencing the Democrats in attendance. “We found hundreds of billions of dollars of fraud.”
Balancing the budget and tariffs
The president discussed his goal of balancing the federal budget, which hasn’t been accomplished since 2001.
Trump also addressed tariffs. On Tuesday, tariffs on Canadian and Mexican goods went into effect.
“We have been ripped off for decades by nearly every country on Earth, and we will not let that happen any longer,” Trump said.
Trump called other countries’ tariffs on U.S. products unfair, announcing that on April 2, his administration would implement reciprocal tariffs. “Whatever other countries tax us, we will tax them,” he said.
Although it was not a State of the Union address, Trump spoke for nearly 95 minutes, touting swift action and declaring that this is just the beginning.
