March 5, 2025
America is back.
President Donald Trump’s opening words as he addressed a joint session of Congress on Tuesday evening. The speech covered many of Pres. Trump’s policy positions enacted since his inauguration as well as his plans moving forward.
Why It Matters: President Trump spoke for 1 hour and 39 minutes, making it the longest address to a joint session of Congress in over 60 years. (Measurements started in 1964, and President Bill Clinton held the previous record in 2000.) In his speech, President Trump underscored policy positions such as immigration, tariffs and foreign policy, in addition to discussing cutting government spending.
In addition to Congress members and Supreme Court Justices, guests of Republicans included family members of individuals killed by men in the U.S. without legal status, relatives of the man who died at the rally in which President Trump survived an assassination attempt and the American teacher recently freed from a Russian prison. Democrats invited guests such as federal workers recently laid off.
Democratic Response: Some Democrats held up signs during the speech with slogans saying, “Save Medicaid,” “Protect Veterans,” and “Musk Steals.” A number of women lawmakers wore pink to signify “our protest of Trump’s policies which are negatively impacting women and families,” according to Rep. Teresa Leger Ferdández (D-NM). Rep. Al Green (D-TX) was escorted out during the speech after standing to interrupt the speech in protest. Sen. Elissa Slotkin (D-MI) gave the official response.
Learn More: WATCH the full speech HERE (CSPAN)
LISTEN to the SmartHER News Quick Hit: What The President Said (And What He Didn’t)
Highlights from Trump’s speech to a 2025 joint session of Congress (CBS News)
by Emily Hooker, based in Texas
