Trump speech to Congress: Trump airs familiar grievances in address before Congress
Last updated: Wednesday, March 5, 2025 4:56AM GMT
The president touted the moves his administration has made in his first weeks in office, touching on tariffs, the war in Ukraine and the border.
President Donald Trump addressed a joint session of Congress on Tuesday night, six weeks into his historic return to the White House.
During the speech, Trump said "America is back" and defended the tariffs on key U.S. trading partners. He touched on immigration and the mineral deal with Ukraine, but neglected to go into detail on his economic plan. The speech was also met with protests and disruptions from Democrats.
President Donald Trump addresses a joint session of Congress at the Capitol in Washington, Tuesday, March 4, 2025.
Mar 05, 2025, 3:37 AM GMT
Trump tells his FBI director, attorney general: 'Good luck'
Trump railed against what he claims is a justice system weaponized by Democrats to go after political opponents, including him. Democrats audibly grumbled at the comments.
Trump then wished FBI Director Kash Patel and Attorney General Pam Bondi "good luck" and the pair received standing ovations. Patel and Bondi narrowly survived their confirmation votes. In fact, Patel's was one of the most partisan and divided confirmation votes for an FBI director in history at 51-49.
ByJohn Parkinson
Mar 05, 2025, 3:29 AM GMT
Democrats speak out after leaving speech
Democratic Reps. Sydney Kamlager-Dove and Maxwell Frost released statements after they left the speech.
"Through walking out, my message to Donald Trump is simple: stop the lies, stop the cheating, and stop the stealing -- enough is enough. The American people deserve better," Kamlager-Dove said.
"Donald Trump is many things -- a liar, a grifter, a wanna-be-dictator -- but no matter how hard he tries and how many Republicans in Congress bend the knee and kiss the ring: he will never be king," Frost said.
Mar 05, 2025, 3:19 AM GMT
Trump highlights Laken Riley case as he pushes his border policies
Trump highlighted the tragic killing of nursing student Laken Riley. Her case reignited the national debate over immigration and crime during the 2024 election. The Laken Riley Act, series of initiatives meant to tackle his key goal of curbing illegal immigration, was symbolically the first law Trump signed of his second administration.
Laken Riley's mother and sister are guests of first lady Melania Trump and stood as Trump spoke. Her mother, Allyson Phillips, appeared emotional as the two received applause from Republicans in the chamber.
Mar 05, 2025, 3:24 AM GMT
Trump highlights first lady for her work with foster care, 'Take It Down' Act
Trump called attention to first lady Melania Trump and praised her work protecting children.
First lady Melania Trump arrives before President Donald Trump arrives to address a joint session of Congress at the Capitol in Washington, Tuesday, March 4, 2025.
Melania Trump was flanked by Haley Ferguson, a recipient of the first lady's Fostering the Future initiative and Ellison Berry, a victim of AI-generated pornography.
Berry was present at Melania Trump's roundtable event Monday advocating for the passage of the "Take It Down" Act, which aims to criminalize deepfake and revenge pornography.
"And I'm going to use that bill for myself, too, if you don't mind. There's nobody gets treated worse than I do online. Nobody," Trump said.
