President Donald Trump on Tuesday delivered his first joint address to Congress since returning to power, telling lawmakers that “America is back” and touting the flurry of actions he has taken over the first six weeks of his second term, including the deportations of migrants and imposing tariffs against major trading partners.
[time-brightcove not-tgx=”true”]Throughout the 100-minute speech, the longest in at least 60 years, Trump repeatedly assailed the Biden Administration and blamed his predecessor for high prices and illegal border crossings. He also praised the work of billionaire Elon Musk, who was tapped to slash federal spending with his Department of Government Efficiency and was in attendance at the Capitol.
But Trump’s speech will perhaps best be remembered for the numerous disruptions that underscored the deep partisan tensions in the chamber, as Democratic lawmakers vocally protested, some ultimately being removed or walking out in defiance. Shortly after Trump began, he was interrupted by Democratic Rep. Al Green of Texas, who was sitting only a few rows in front of the dais. Green shouted: “You have no mandate to cut Medicaid,” a reference to a budget resolution adopted by House Republicans and endorsed by Trump that could jeopardize the health insurance coverage of millions who rely on the program. House Speaker Mike Johnson asked the sergeant at arms to eject Green from the floor.
Trump’s speech largely covered the same themes of his campaign: economic revitalization, a crackdown on illegal immigration, and a shift in America’s foreign policy posture. The speech was a moment for Trump to solidify his agenda and push back against any potential resistance within his party. With Republicans holding slim majorities in the House and Senate, Trump framed the speech as an opportunity to rally his party behind his policies, even as tensions simmered within GOP ranks over recent moves on trade and foreign aid.
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“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,” he vowed, repeating a line that was also a common theme of his inaugural address.
These are the key moments from Trump’s 2025 Joint Address to Congress.
Trump points the finger at Biden
Trump repeatedly name-checked former President Joe Biden, calling him “the worst president in American history” and claiming that Biden used his office to “viciously” prosecute him. Rarely do Presidents mention their political opponents by name during joint sessions of Congress.
He went on to blame his predecessor for the uptick in prices of everyday goods, which Trump promised to lower on his first day in office. “Joe Biden especially let the prices of eggs get out of control,” he said, prompting boos from Democrats. “The egg prices are out of control and we’re working hard to get it down. Secretary [Brooke Rollins], do a good job on that.”
Trump’s assertion was clearly aimed at exploiting the frustration many voters feel about rising prices. Inflation accelerated last month as the cost of groceries, gasoline and rents rose, and polling shows inflation and high prices remain the top issue for voters. A recent Reuters-Ipsos poll found that 52% of respondents don’t think Trump is doing enough to bring down prices.
Trump also blamed Biden for illegal border crossings and violent incidents involving migrants, including the death of Laken Riley, a 22-year-old student from Georgia who was killed by a Venezuelan immigrant who was unlawfully in the U.S. and had been previously apprehended and released by authorities. “Laken 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,” Trump said.
Trump also railed against the bipartisan CHIPS and Science Act, a sweeping Biden Administration-era law that sought to boost domestic semiconductor production. “Your CHIPS Act is a horrible, horrible thing,” Trump said before many of the lawmakers who passed it. “We give hundreds of billions of dollars (to semiconductor manufacturers) and it doesn’t mean a thing. They take our money and they don’t spend it,” he said, claiming that overseas chip manufacturers didn’t want to pay tariffs.
“You should get rid of the CHIPS Act and whatever is left over, Mr. Speaker, you should use it to reduce debt or any other reason you want to,” Trump added.
Democrats shout, walk out, hold signs
More than a half dozen Democrats walked out of Trump’s speech, while others held up signs and wore t-shirts in protest of his aggressive actions since returning to power. When Trump called Biden the “worst president in American history,” Democrats made a flurry of audible comments: “Lie after lie after lie after lie,” one said. “Tell the truth,” another shouted.
Rep. Rashida Tlaib, a Michigan Democrat, held up a whiteboard that she wrote messages on throughout the speech. At one point, it read “No King!” Rep. Maxwell Frost, a Florida Democrat, walked off the floor after he stood up in a black t-shirt that said, “No Kings Live Here.”
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During one viral moment, Democratic Rep. Al Green of Texas shouted that Trump has “no mandate” to cut Medicaid, before he was expelled from the floor. Green told the White House press pool afterwards that he doesn’t know whether he will face any formal punishment. “It’s worth it to let people know that there are some people who are going to stand up” to Trump, he said.
Prior to the speech, the House Freedom Caucus, a group of far-right Republicans, said it would censure any Democrats who disrupted Trump’s remarks. “Our colleagues are on notice that the heckler’s veto will not be tolerated. You will be censured,” the group posted on X, a sharp reversal after some Republicans repeatedly heckled Biden during his State of the Union addresses.
It was unclear how Democrats would respond to Trump’s address. Several Democratic congresswomen were dressed in pink to protest Trump’s policies that “are negatively impacting women and families,” as TIME first reported. Others wore blue and yellow, the colors of Ukraine’s flag. But the interruptions and pointed displays of discontent signaled a broader, if fragmented, resistance to Trump’s rhetoric and policies among Democrats. Several Democrats, including Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and a handful of Senators, chose not to attend the speech.
Trump later addressed his detractors head on: “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,” Trump said. “These people sitting right here will not clap, will not stand, and certainly will not cheer for these astronomical achievements.”
Trump pushes for more border security funding
Trump once again painted a grim picture of the state of the U.S. border, blaming the Biden Administration for what he described as “less safe” immigration policy. He called on Congress to increase border security funding, particularly for his mass deportations agenda—a campaign promise that remains at the forefront of his policy goals.
“I have sent Congress a detailed funding request laying out exactly how we will eliminate these threats, 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,” Trump said.
In attendance in the chamber as guests of the First Lady were the families of two young women who were murdered by Venezuelan immigrants in the U.S. unlawfully that had been previously apprehended and released by authorities.
Trump defends his tariffs amid trade war
Trump vowed to impose reciprocal tariffs on the nation’s trading partners, arguing that countries such as China, India, and South Korea have long imposed unfair trade barriers on American goods.
He said the new levies—set to take effect on April 2—would match the tariffs and trade restrictions other nations place on U.S. exports, marking a sharp escalation in his protectionist trade agenda. “Other countries have used tariffs against us for decades, and now it’s our turn,” he declared.
“Whatever they tariff us, we tariff them,” he added. “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.”
The announcement follows a directive Trump issued last month ordering federal agencies to study the feasibility of the plan. It also comes after Trump imposed controversial tariffs against three of the nation’s biggest trading partners, which amounted to 25% tariffs on Mexican and Canadian imports and 20% on Chinese products. The measure launched a trade war as China retaliated with tariffs of up to 15% on U.S. farm exports and Canada announced it would plaster tariffs on more than $100 billion of American goods in the next three weeks.
Elon Musk gets a warm welcome from Republicans
During his speech, Trump singled out the billionaire SpaceX founder who has become a central figure in the Administration’s effort to reshape the federal government.
“DOGE—perhaps you’ve heard of it,” Trump said as he touted the Department of Government Efficiency. “Thank you, Elon. You’re working very hard. He didn’t need this. He didn’t need this. We appreciate it,” the President added. He then gestured to the Democratic side of the chamber and said: “Everybody here, even this side, appreciates it, I believe. They just don’t want to admit that.”
Musk had a prominent seat in the House gallery near the First Lady, even as some Democratic lawmakers brought guests who were directly impacted by his DOGE initiatives, including fired federal workers and others who have felt the effects of a government funding freeze. Several Democrats held up signs that read “Elon Steals.”
Trump referencing Musk during the first high-profile speech of his second term underscored the billionaire’s outsize influence in the Administration, despite conflicting statements about his official role. While the White House has maintained that Amy Gleason is the acting administrator of DOGE, Trump appeared to suggest otherwise, telling lawmakers it is “headed by Elon Musk.”
Trump warns federal workers who resist ‘will be removed’
Trump delivered a warning to federal workers: those who resist his administration’s policies will be removed immediately. Framing his second term as a mandate for sweeping reform, Trump railed against bureaucratic delays and regulatory hurdles, defending the work of DOGE, which has rapidly slashed spending and cut staff at federal agencies.
Trump also took aim at what he called widespread absenteeism in the federal workforce, claiming that “hundreds of thousands” of employees have failed to return to the office following the rollback of pandemic-era remote work policies. His push to bring workers back has been fraught with logistical challenges, with reports of agencies struggling to accommodate the shift. Nevertheless, Trump signaled his intent to press forward, declaring that his administration would reclaim power from what he described as an unaccountable bureaucracy. “The days of rule by unelected bureaucrats are over,” he proclaimed, as Democrats scoffed and pointed to Musk.
Trump criticizes transgender athletes
The President used part of his speech to spotlight Payton McNabb, a former high school volleyball player whose athletic career was derailed after sustaining a traumatic brain injury in a match against a team that included a transgender woman. Invited as a guest of First Lady Melania Trump, McNabb’s presence underscored one of Trump’s key policy initiatives—his recent executive action banning transgender women from competing in women’s sports.
“It’s demeaning for women and it’s very bad for our country,” Trump said of transgender athletes, reiterated his longstanding promise to “get men out of women’s sports”, a message that resonated strongly with his base. The issue, a staple of Trump’s campaign rhetoric, drew some of the night’s loudest applause.
Trump makes 13-year old with brain cancer an honorary Secret Service agent
In a heartwarming moment, Trump introduced 13-year-old DJ Daniel, who was diagnosed with brain cancer in 2018 and given only five months to live. Despite the grim prognosis, DJ defied the odds and, over six years later, is still fighting. Trump shared DJ’s dream of becoming a police officer and revealed that, in honor of his perseverance, DJ had been sworn in as an honorary law enforcement officer.
Trump then directed the newly appointed director of the U.S. Secret Service, Sean Curran, to officially make DJ an agent. The chamber erupted in cheers as DJ was handed his badge, and lawmakers chanted “DJ! DJ!” in celebration.
Later, Trump highlighted the story of Jason Hartley, a high school senior who wants to attend the U.S. Military Academy at West Point like his father. Trump revealed that Hartley’s application has been accepted and he will be joining the corps of cadets.
Trump defends approach to Ukraine
After a heated Oval Office confrontation with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky last week, Trump signaled that he is “working tirelessly to end the savage conflict” between Ukraine and Russia.
“Millions of Ukrainians and Russians have been needlessly killed or wounded in this horrific and brutal conflict, with no end in sight,” Trump said. “The United States has sent hundreds of billions of dollars to support Ukraine’s defense, with no security, with no anything.”
He added: “When [Russian President Vladimir] Putin saw what happened, I guess he said, ‘Well, maybe this is my chance.’ That’s how bad it was. Should have never happened. Grossly incompetent people,” Trump said of the Biden Administration.
As a result, Trump recently paused aid to Ukraine, which has sparked a fierce debate in Congress. Some conservatives who were formerly staunch supporters of aid to Ukraine began praising Trump’s more isolationist stance after the meeting last week. During that meeting, Trump told Zelensky that “you don’t have the cards right now” while Vice President J.D. Vance insisted Ukraine should express more gratitude for U.S. support and agree to a ceasefire with Russia, even without clear security guarantees from the U.S.
Trump suggested that the minerals deal between the two countries is still a possibility, despite the fallout between the two leaders. Trump said he got a letter from Zelensky that said Ukraine was ready to sign a minerals deal with the U.S. and come to the negotiating table. “I appreciate that he sent this letter—just got it a little while ago,” Trump said.
“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,” he said Zelensky wrote.
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Trump still wants Greenland
Trump reiterated his desire to take control of Greenland and escalated his rhetoric towards the self-governing Danish territory. “One way or the other, we’re going to get it,” Trump declared. “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.”
Trump has long been fixated on the glacier, viewing it as strategically important for national security. Officials in Denmark and Greenland have said that the island is not for sale.
However, Trump added that it would be Greenland’s choice: “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,” Trump said.
Trump makes Abbey Gate announcement
Trump announced that the U.S. has apprehended a key figure involved in the 2021 bombing at Kabul’s Abbey Gate, which claimed the lives of 13 U.S. service members and at least 170 Afghan civilians during the American withdrawal from Afghanistan under the Biden Administration.
The individual, identified as Mohammad Sharifullah, is facing charges of providing material support for terrorism, including his role in the deadly attack during the chaotic U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan. According to Trump, Sharifullah was a member of ISIS-K, a branch of the terrorist group ISIS, and he had been involved in planning and executing multiple lethal attacks for the organization.
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