TRUMP DECLARES ‘AMERICA IS BACK’ IN PRESIDENTIAL ADDRESS RIFE WITH DEMOCRATIC PROTESTS

“And to my fellow citizens, America is back,” Trump declared early in his speech, leading jubilant Republicans to repeatedly chant “USA!”

“It has been nothing but swift and unrelenting action to usher in the greatest and most successful era in the history of our country,” Trump said of his first month in office. “We have accomplished more in 43 days than most administrations accomplished in four years or eight years, and we are just getting started.”

Trump repeatedly took shots at Democrats, panning the Biden administration’s investigations into him and their chilly response to his second term.

In turn, Democrats found several ways to protest his speech, including repeated interruptions by Rep. Al Green (D-TX) that led to his removal from the chamber.

Here are the top takeaways from the Tuesday night address at the Capitol.

1. Trump brags about immigration record

The president quickly touted his efforts to curb illegal immigration after he was sworn into office, including an order declaring a national emergency at the southern border.

He touted the lowest recorded number of immigrants denied entry at the southern border in February.

“And I deployed the U.S. military and Border Patrol to repel the invasion of our country,” Trump said. “And what a job they’ve done as a result — illegal border crossings last month were by far the lowest ever recorded.”

He then took a shot at his predecessor’s handling of the southern border. President Joe Biden oversaw a record influx of migrants before clamping down on the illegal crossings toward the end of his term.

“In comparison, under Joe Biden, the worst president in American history, there were hundreds of thousands of illegal crossings a month,” Trump said as Republicans cheered.

The sweeping crackdown on illegal immigration caused Trump to brag that his leadership was more effective than legislation.

“The media and our friends in the Democrat Party kept saying we needed new legislation, we must have legislation to secure the border, but it turned out that all we really needed was a new president,” he said.

Republicans roared in approval.

2. Democrats protest Trump’s speech

Democrats protesting Trump’s speech held signs with slogans including “Save Medicaid,”
“Protect Veterans,” and “Musk Steals.”

But it was Green’s repeated disruptions that kicked off the contentious speech.

Republicans drowned out Green with chants of “USA” after the congressman stood up and started yelling at Trump, “You don’t have a mandate.”

AL GREEN REMOVED FROM HOUSE CHAMBER AFTER PROTESTING TRUMP ADDRESS

“Members are directed to uphold and maintain decorum in the house, and to cease any further disruptions — that’s your warning,” House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA) told Green.

Johnson eventually ordered the sergeant of arms to remove Green from the joint address.

“It’s worth it to let people know that there are some people who are going to stand up” to Trump, Green later told reporters after he left the chamber.

Rep. Melanie Stansbury (D-NM) carried a sign that read “This is not normal” as Trump walked in, causing another stir as Rep. Lance Gooden (R-TX) ripped the paper out of her hands.

Little to no clapping came from the Democratic side of the chamber during Trump’s address, and few Democrats stood for applause lines. In one exception, some Democrats did clap when Trump called for a war on the drug cartels.

Progressive Democrats including Reps. Jasmine Crockett (D-TX) and Maxwell Frost (D-FL) exited the chamber as Trump was still speaking. As they left, they took off their jackets to reveal “Resist” and “No kings live here” written on the backs of their T-shirts.

The president chastised Democrats who were largely united in opposing Trump’s speech.

“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.

There were bipartisan moments, however, when the president featured a few guests in the gallery, including Laken Riley’s family, a steel plant worker, a future teacher, and a victim of “deepfake” technology.

Sen. Elissa Slotkin (D-MI) gave the Democratic response to Trump’s speech, and Rep. Lateefah Simon (D-CA) gave the Working Families Party response.

3. Trump defends tariffs

Trump defended a new round of tariffs and signaled more were coming as stock markets plummeted for the second day in response to the trade war. His 25% tariffs against Canada and Mexico, as well as an additional 10% tariff against China, went into effect ahead of his speech on Tuesday.

“April 2, reciprocal tariffs kick in, and whatever they tariff us — other countries, we will tariff them. That’s reciprocal back and forth,” Trump said. “Whatever they tax us, we will tax them.”

“If they do non-monetary tariffs to keep us out of their market, then we will do non-monetary barriers to keep them out of our market,” he continued. “We will take in trillions of dollars and create jobs like we have never seen before.”

Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced retaliatory 25% tariffs against the U.S. on Tuesday, and Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum is expected to announce tariffs on Sunday.

China blacklisted more than 20 U.S. companies and levied a 15% tariff on U.S. farm products in response to Trump’s actions.

The president went so far as to claim that “a new trade policy will also be great for the American farmer. I love the farmer.” But prices could go up for consumers if tariffs remain in effect.

“Tariffs are about making America rich again and making America great again. And it’s happening, and it will happen rather quickly. They’ll be a little disturbance, but we’re OK with that,” Trump said. “It won’t be much.”

4. Trump says Zelensky wants peace

Trump announced during his address that Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky sent him a letter insisting he wanted peace.

Zelensky left the White House last week without signing a bilateral mineral deal after a blowup in the Oval Office that dimmed the chances of a peace agreement with Russia. The Ukrainian leader has since attempted to repair the damage done from that meeting.

“The letter reads, Ukraine is ready to come to the negotiating table as soon as possible to bring lasting peace closer. Nobody wants peace more than the Ukrainians,” Trump said.

“My team and I stand ready to work under President Trump’s strong leadership to get a peace that lasts,” the president continued, reading the contents of the letter at length before the joint session of Congress. “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.”

“I appreciate that he sent this letter,” Trump added.

The president also said he remains committed to ending the three-year conflict.

“I’m also working tirelessly to end the savage conflict in Ukraine, 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.”

The president reiterated his criticism against European allies over the level of financial support they have provided in the war.

“Meanwhile, Europe has sadly spent more money buying Russian oil and gas than they have spent on defending Ukraine by far, think of that,” Trump said.

5. Elon Musk gets Trump shoutout

Trump stood by tech billionaire Elon Musk on Tuesday night, thanking him for his efforts to slash the federal workforce and government spending through the Department of Government Efficiency. Musk’s actions have created heartburn for centrist Republicans facing backlash at town halls in their districts.

“This is a time for big dreams and bold action,” said Trump. “Upon taking office, I imposed an immediate freeze on all federal hiring, a freeze on all new federal regulations and a freeze on all foreign aid.”

“And to that end, I have created the brand new Department of Government Efficiency. DOGE, perhaps you’ve heard of it, which is headed by Elon Musk, who is in the gallery tonight,” said Trump. “Thank you, Elon. He’s working very hard. He didn’t need this.”

Musk, one of Trump’s most powerful senior advisers, received multiple standing ovations from Republicans as Democrats held up signs that said “false.”

Trump’s comments were notable, in part, because his administration has claimed that Musk is not in charge of DOGE. White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt eventually named Amy Gleason as the administrator of DOGE after repeated questioning.

Earlier on Tuesday, National Republican Congressional Committee Chairman Richard Hudson (R-NC) advised members against in-person town halls moving forward.

6. Trump blames Biden for egg price hike

Trump’s multiple attacks on Biden brought audible groans from Democrats during the speech. At one point, he blamed the former president for a spike in egg prices driven by an outbreak of the avian flu.

“Joe Biden especially let the price of eggs get out of control. The egg prices out of control,” said Trump, prompting Democrats to yell in protest. “And we’re working hard to get it back down.”

“Secretary, do a good job on that — you inherited a total mess from the previous administration,” he added, seemingly referring to Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins.

Trump’s election victory last November was aided by voters upset about high prices. Since then, Democrats have attempted to pin the stubborn inflation on Trump, using egg prices as one barometer.

“A major focus of our fight to defeat inflation is rapidly reducing the cost of energy,” Trump said.

7. Trump honors special guests

Trump took a moment of his speech to highlight Alexis Nungaray, the mother of 12-year-old Jocelyn Nungaray, whose suspected killers were two illegal immigrants.

“The death of this beautiful 12-year-old girl and the agony of her mother and family touched our entire nation greatly,” Trump said. Alexis Nungaray was a guest of first lady Melania Trump.

He announced a new executive order naming ​a Texas wildlife refuge in honor of Jocelyn.

“Across Galveston Bay from where Jocelyn lived in Houston, you will find a magnificent refuge, a pristine peaceful 34,000 acre for all of God’s creatures on the edge of the Gulf of America. Alexis, moments ago I formally renamed that refuge in loving memory of your beautiful daughter Jocelyn,” Trump said.

The president also honored 13-year-old D.J. Daniels, who was diagnosed with a rare brain cancer.

“D.J. has been sworn in as an honorary law enforcement officer, actually a number of times,” said Trump. “The police love him. The police departments love him. And tonight, D.J., we’re going to do you the biggest honor of them all. I am asking our new Secret Service Director, Sean Curran, to officially make you an agent of the United States Secret Service.”

Daniels was visibly surprised by the gesture as his father lifted him up to the crowd.

Trump also surprised Jason Hartley — a high school senior who lost his father, an LA County sheriff’s deputy — by informing him of his acceptance to the United States Military Academy at West Point.

“Jason, that’s a very big deal getting in — that’s a hard one to get into, but I’m pleased to inform you that your application has been accepted. You will soon be joining the Corp of Cadets,” said Trump.

Rachel Schilke contributed to this report.