In his State of the Union speech, Trump calls for a U-turn in the USA for eternity and attacks the Democrats

WASHINGTON — President Donald Trump used his State of the Union address Tuesday to sharply denounce Democrats and the Biden administration while introducing the Republican Party to voters ahead of crucial midterm elections this year.

“Tonight, after just one year, I can say with dignity and pride that we have achieved change like no one has ever seen before,” Trump said. “A turnaround for the ages. It is indeed a turnaround for the ages.”

The nearly two-hour speech included significant back-and-forth between Democrats and Republicans in the chamber, particularly when Trump brought up his immigration enforcement activities or Republican efforts to require proof of citizenship to register to vote.

Trump’s disdain for Democrats was clear throughout the speech, as he claimed they wanted to “cheat” in elections and said Democrats’ push for lower costs and affordability was a “dirty, lazy lie.”

“Their policies caused the high prices. Our policies are quickly putting an end to them,” he said. “We’re doing really well. Prices are coming down.”

But there were several moments of bipartisanship, including when Trump recognized U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. Andrew Wolfe and his parents, as well as the parents of the overdue U.S. Army Spc. Sarah Beckstrom, both from the West Virginia National Guard.

Beckstrom and Wolfe only blocks were shot from the White House the day before Thanksgiving while on duty in the District of Columbia. Beckstrom died the next day as a result of her injuries and Wolfe was seriously injured. Both Beckstrom and Wolfe were awarded the Purple Heart by Maj. Gen. James D. Seward, Adjutant General of the State of West Virginia, to applause from lawmakers.

The U.S. men’s Olympic ice hockey team also briefly united Republicans and Democrats when players appeared in the stands overlooking the hall with their gold medals.

Members of both political parties gave the group a standing ovation and chanted “USA, USA, USA!” before the players left after a few minutes. They had met with Trump at the White House earlier in the day.

Sign held by Rep. Al Green

But there were reminders of deep divisions throughout the historic speech – the previous record for a State of the Union address recorded and delivered by former President Bill Clinton.

Texas Democratic Rep. Al Green began Trump’s remarks by holding a sign that read, “BLACK PEOPLE ARE NOT MONES!” in relation to a racist meme in a video Trump shared on social media that depicted former President Barack Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama as primates.

A Sergeant at Arms employee escorted Green out of the chamber a few minutes later as Republicans again chanted “USA!” shouted. Green was removed from the chamber during Trump’s joint address to Congress last year.

In his speech, Trump criticized not only the Democrats, but also the Supreme Court justices who decided and ultimately ruled against his actions that he crossed the line by using it the International Economic Emergency Powers Act imposing tariffs. Four of the nine justices were in the chamber: Chief Justice John Roberts and Associate Justices Amy Coney Barrett, Elena Kagan and Brett Kavanaugh.

Trump said the tariff decision was “regrettable” and that the six justices who ruled against him “really got it wrong.”

Trump reiterated that he would apply other powers he believes he has to keep the tariffs in place, arguing that he believes they are “saving the country.”

“They’re a little more complex, but probably actually better and lead to a solution that’s even stronger than before,” he said. “Congressional intervention will not be necessary.”

Trump claimed that if the tariffs remain in place, they could replace income taxes, although Congress would have to pass legislation to eliminate that part of the tax code.

Closing Homeland Security

Trump spoke in detail His speech touched on immigration and border security before calling for Congress to end the shutdown at the Department of Homeland Security, which began Feb. 14 when emergency funding expired. Democrats have insisted Immigration enforcement reforms.

“Tonight I call for the full and immediate restoration of all border security and homeland security resources for the United States,” he said.

Trump urged lawmakers in the chamber to stand if they believe “the first duty of the American government is to protect American citizens, not illegal immigrants.”

Republicans stood and cheered loudly while Democrats remained seated. Several of its members expressed opposition to that part of the speech, as well as Trump’s approach to immigration enforcement and deportations.

Minnesota Democratic Rep. Ilhan Omar repeatedly said, “They killed Americans” as Trump discussed shutting down DHS.

Michigan Democratic Rep. Rashida Tlaib shouted, “Alex was not a criminal,” referring to Alex Pretti, who was shot and killed by immigration officials in Minneapolis in January, just weeks after federal immigration officials shot and killed Renee Nicole Good.

Tlaib later called for Trump to release all Epstein files, citing Justice Department documents about the criminal investigation into child sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.

SAVE law

Trump also called on Congress to pass it legislation Proof of US citizenship would be required to register to vote in federal elections.

He said Americans should only be able to vote by mail if they are ill, disabled, in the military or traveling, even though that provision is not included in the SAVE Act.

“Congress should come together now and pass this common-sense, land-saving legislation,” he said. “And that should happen before something else happens.”

The house predominantly coordinated along party lines Earlier this month, he planned to send the bill to the Senate, where it is unlikely to receive the Democratic support needed to overcome that chamber’s 60-vote filibuster.

Trump claimed the only reason Democrats wouldn’t facilitate Republicans pass the bill is because “they want to cheat.”

Boycotts of speech

Some Democrats decided to take part in other events Or you can skip Trump’s speech entirely and cite the president’s immigration enforcement tactics, disregard for constitutional norms, and record of false and misleading claims.

Connecticut Democratic Sen. Chris Murphy, ranking member of the Homeland Security Appropriations Subcommittee, said he decided not to go because Trump had “ridiculed the state of the union.”

“I have no obligation to provide the backdrop for a partisan speech full of lies and hate,” Murphy said. “It breaks my heart that I won’t be there. But he turned his speech into a joke.”

Many of those who boycott will take part in counter-programs.

“The American people already know what the state of our union is,” said Indiana Democratic Rep. Andre Carson. “It is one of frustration, rising costs and deep exhaustion. Families are being drained by higher prices. Communities are being disrupted by fatal immigration control tactics. And working people are watching as the richest Americans benefit while the middle class is left behind.”

Virginia Governor Abigail Spanberger gave the democratic answer She followed Trump’s comments and asked three questions in her 12-minute speech.

“Is the President working to make life more affordable for you and your family? Is the President working to keep Americans safe – at home and abroad? Is the President working for you? We all know the answer is no,” she said.

California Senator Alex Padilla made the announcement Answer in Spanish.

“This country has always been defined by people who were told they didn’t belong but who persevered and continued to move forward,” he said in Spanish.

Shauneen Miranda and Ariana Figueroa contributed to this report.