By Brendan Scanland
WASHINGTON, D.C. — There was a lot to digest following the first joint address to Congress of President Donald Trump’s second term.
The President’s address, over an hour and a half long, drew applause and standing ovation from Republicans, but very little support from Democrats.
Today, Democrats are reacting to the address as they try to push back against the administration’s actions with a Republican trifecta in Washington.
“America is back,” said Trump as he kicked off the speech Tuesday evening before touting accomplishments during his first six weeks in office, including a sharp drop in border crossings.
“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,” said Trump.
Trump took time to lay out policy priorities, like no tax on tips.
“No tax on tips, no tax on overtime, and no tax on Social Security benefits for our great seniors,” said Trump, who also took several jabs at the previous administration.
“We suffered the worst inflation in 48 years,” he said, referring to the Biden administration during one part of his speech. “Joe Biden especially let the price of eggs get out of control,” said the President during another part.
Democrats largely sat in protest, hoisting signs, as others walked out. Some Democrats stood up, Rep. Al Green (D- TX) was ordered to be removed by Speaker Mike Johnson (R- LA) less than 15 minutes into the address.
With a Republican trifecta in Washington, Democrats are stuck between a rock and a hard place as they explore ways to push back against the administration’s actions.
“We cannot call a hearing, we cannot put bills on the floor, we don’t even have standing to do lawsuits ourselves, the courts have been pretty clear about that,” said Congresswoman Stacey Plaskett (D- USVI) as she explained her thoughts on what Democrats can do. “What we can do is just give people the facts and information and to push against the lies and the misinformation.”
Plaskett is concerned about several claims made by the President during the address- specifically claims regarding Social Security fraud.
“In terms of people who are 150, 160 years old getting social Security checks. It’s not true,” said Plaskett. “I think the American people need to hear the truth. And I think we need to get where they’re getting their information so that they can hear truth and what the real facts are.”
Freshman Senator Elissa Slotkin (D- MI) provided the Democratic rebuttal following Trump’s address. Slotkin discussed the administration’s federal downsizing efforts, a major topic during the address.
“We need a more efficient government. You want to cut waste? I’ll help you do it. But change doesn’t need to be chaotic or make us less safe,” said Slotkin, who said democracy is at risk under the current administration.
“It’s at risk when the president decides you can pick and choose what rules you want to follow, when he ignores court orders and the Constitution itself, or when elected leaders stand by and just let it happen. But it’s also at risk when the president pits Americans against each other, when he demonizes those who are different and tells certain people they shouldn’t be included,” said Slotkin.
