President Trump faced a divided Congress in a record-setting address, forcefully defending his new tariff policies while announcing major government overhauls and a national emergency declaration at the southern border.
Quick Takes
- Trump delivered the longest congressional address in modern history at 1 hour 39 minutes, defending new tariffs on Canada, Mexico, and China while announcing “reciprocal tariffs” on all trading partners starting April 2
- The President declared a national emergency at the southern border and initiated a major immigration crackdown
- Trump praised Elon Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) for reducing federal government size through cuts and layoffs
- Democratic lawmakers protested throughout the speech, with some wearing “RESIST” t-shirts and interrupting the President
- The administration has paused military aid to Ukraine and advocated for ending the conflict, creating tensions with allies
America First Trade Policy Takes Center Stage
President Donald Trump used his first address to a joint session of Congress since returning to office to emphatically defend his “America First” trade agenda. The speech, which broke records at one hour and 39 minutes, focused heavily on the administration’s controversial tariff policies. Trump announced 25% tariffs on Canada and Mexico, increased tariffs on Chinese imports to 20%, and revealed plans for “reciprocal tariffs” on all U.S. trading partners beginning April 2, alongside additional 25% tariffs on foreign aluminum, copper, lumber, and steel.
“Whatever they tariff us, we tariff them. Whatever they tax us, we tax them,” Trump declared during his address, framing the aggressive trade stance as necessary retaliation for decades of unfair practices by foreign nations. Financial markets have responded with uncertainty to these announcements, with economists warning about potential price increases for American consumers as the costs of imports rise across various sectors.
Border Emergency and Domestic Policy Shifts
Beyond trade, Trump announced several major domestic policy initiatives during his address. Chief among these was the declaration of a national emergency at the U.S.-Mexico border, enabling more aggressive immigration enforcement actions. The President also highlighted his recent executive order banning transgender women from women’s sports, a move that drew standing applause from Republican lawmakers while Democratic members remained seated in protest.
Trump placed blame for current economic challenges on the previous administration, specifically targeting inflation. “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,” he stated. This remark drew eye rolls from Democrats, who have criticized Trump’s tariff policies as potentially inflationary.
Government Overhaul and Foreign Policy
A significant portion of the address was dedicated to the administration’s efforts to reduce the size of government. Trump praised advisor Elon Musk and the newly created Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) for implementing substantial federal workforce reductions. The President claimed these measures would lead to cost savings, though critics worry about diminished governmental capacity and service disruptions.
The administration’s foreign policy approach also featured prominently, particularly regarding Ukraine. Trump revealed he had paused military aid to Ukraine and called for an end to the conflict with Russia. “It’s time to stop this madness. It’s time to halt the killing. It’s time to end the senseless war,” he declared. The President mentioned receiving a letter from Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, though he criticized the Ukrainian leader for what he characterized as insufficient gratitude for American support.
A Divided Chamber
The congressional response to Trump’s address highlighted America’s deep political divisions. Republican lawmakers frequently rose for standing ovations, while Democrats staged various forms of protest. Some Democratic members wore “RESIST” t-shirts, and Rep. Al Green interrupted the speech at one point. The stark partisan reactions reflected the contentious nature of Trump’s policy agenda, which has energized his base while alarming his opposition.
The address capped what Trump described as 43 days of significant accomplishments since returning to office. In addition to the tariffs and border emergency, the President highlighted his withdrawal from several international organizations and agreements, reinforcing his administration’s focus on unilateral action rather than multilateral cooperation—a continuation of his approach during his first term.
Sources:
- Shoutout to DOGE, defending tariffs: Takeaways from Trump’s address to Congress
- Trump declares ‘America is back,’ defends tariffs, other policies in address to Congress
