By Desiree Leader | Staff Writer
Image from whitehouse.gov
On March 4, 2025, President Donald Trump addressed a joint session of congress in the Capitol Building. The speech started at 9:14. P.M. and the gathering resembled a pep rally with chants of “USA” coming from the Republican section of the room as the president appeared, exclaiming, “America is Back!”
The Democrats also showed camaraderie amongst themselves, with most of the women wearing shades of pink to express concern over the new administration’s policies concerning women. Many of the Democrats also held paddles bearing phrases like “Musk Steals,” “Save Medicaid,” and “Protect Veterans” in silent protest of the Trump Administration and its policies.
Not so silent was Representative Al Green, Democratic Congressman from Texas, who spoke out during the address. Representative Green stood up and called out to the President several times, even after repeated warnings from the Speaker of the House. He was removed from the auditorium. The Congressman later explained that he was upset because “Medicaid ought not be cut” and admitted that under the same circumstances he would do it again.
While the Republican section of the room cheered, often on their feet, the Democratic portion of the audience remained seated for the entire event, at times booing the President.
Trump, addressing only the Republican section of the audience for most of the speech, spent some time assuring congress that “it has been nothing but swift and unrelenting action to usher in the greatest and most successful era in the history of our country.” In reference to the speed of the changes, Trump said the new administration had “accomplished more in forty-three days than most administrations accomplished in 4 years, 8 years — and we are just getting started!”
Trump also mentioned Greenland and his suggestion that they join the United States, stating, “we strongly support your right to determine your own future,” but then went on to say, “one way or the other, we will get it!”
The President addressed the Democratic Congress several times, addressing them as “radical left lunatics” and “These people, the Democrats.” He also took a moment to refer to Elizabeth Warren as “Pocahontas.”
Brian Contois, Computer Information Studies major, watched most of the broadcast on Tuesday night and had some concerns. He felt that the event was “very high school – I thought I was at a frat party” commenting on the chants of “USA” that were coming from the congress. Contois also questioned the “transgender mice” that Trump alluded to, saying it was false. It appears that the term Trump should have used was Transgenic, which means they are genetically modified for experimentation.
Nursing major, Helen Aviv, agreed, saying that chanting was something not normally seen at a Presidential address. “Why are we doing that? It was like a political rally.” She also felt that he “referred to the democrats in derogatory terms,” and that it was inappropriate to use the name of an Indigenous women (Pocahontas) as a slur.
Trump disagrees with his critics, stating that he “inherited an economic nightmare,” and that his administration is making cuts.
He also credited how the administration’s handling of issues at the southern border, which was detailed as a National Emergency starting last month, showed the lowest ever recorded numbers of illegal immigrants crossing the border. “They heard my words and decided not to come,” he said. What the next forty-six months holds remains to be seen. as well as whether or not there is truth to many of Trump’s claims to having the biggest numbers, and the best plans. One thing is for sure: at 1 hour and 45 minutes, this speech was certainly the longest.
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