Trump touts his agenda in speech to Congress, boosting tariffs, DEI rollback, DOGE
Donald Trump assessed his presidency as a ringing success during his first address to a joint session of Congress since he reclaimed the White House in January.
WASHINGTON — President Donald Trump assessed his presidency as a ringing success Tuesday in his first address to a joint session of Congress since he reclaimed the White House in January.
"America is back," an ebullient Trump said. "We have accomplished more in 43 days than most administrations accomplished in four years or eight years, and we are just getting started."
But Trump arrived on Capitol Hill with a mixed record on the primary promises of his campaign: to combat illegal immigration, end inflation and stop the wars in Ukraine and the Middle East. He also came on the heels of having imposed tariffs on Canada and Mexico and increased rates on Chinese goods in moves that most economic experts say are likely to increase prices for consumers.
The address, a mix of culture-war red meat, grievance-settling, name-calling and outright falsehoods, was the first time the full complement of lawmakers has heard directly from Trump since he embarked on a mission to expand the powers of his office at the expense of congressional prerogatives.
At an hour and 40 minutes, it was the longest speech a president has ever delivered to Congress.
Rating: 5