President Trump is set to deliver an address to a joint session of Congress, marking his first speech since returning to the White House. With the administration aiming to reshape the federal government, crack down on illegal immigration, and redefine the U.S. role abroad, Trump’s speech comes amidst a Republican majority in both the Senate and the House of Representatives. However, progress on legislation to fulfill the president’s campaign promises has been slow.
Scheduled for 9 p.m. ET, Trump’s address presents an opportunity to showcase his agenda to a prime-time audience, amid concerns about the country’s direction and the state of the union, according to a recent poll. Expected topics include the government restructuring initiative, efforts to curb illegal immigration, and the imposition of tariffs on various countries. Foreign policy issues, such as potential peace deals in the Middle East and Ukraine, may also feature prominently.
While this speech is not a State of the Union address, it serves as a platform for Trump to outline his current agenda as a second-term president with a unique political landscape. Following Trump’s speech, Democratic responses from Sen. Elissa Slotkin, Rep. Adriano Espaillat, and Rep. Lateefah Simon are anticipated, focusing on economic concerns and critiquing Trump’s approach to inflation and his relationship with Elon Musk.
Overall, Trump’s address to Congress is poised to provide insight into the administration’s priorities and set the tone for future policy directions in a challenging political environment.