After being impeached 48 days ago in the House Chambers, President Trump stood in front of family, friends and a joint Congress to deliver his third State of the Union address

 

President Donald Trump delivered his third State of the Union address on Tuesday. Despite Congress being divided in its support of Trump, the president was greeted with chants of “four more years” by Republican supporters. 

“Our values are renewed, our pride is restored, and for all of these reasons… the state of our union is stronger than ever before,” Trump said.  

 

Unemployment 

One of Trump’s biggest talking points was unemployment, which he said was at its lowest point in over half a century. According to Trump, this includes women’s unemployment. 

While Trump declared this a victory, none of the women on the democratic side of the chamber stood or clapped. Dressed in white, they celebrated the 100th anniversary of women’s suffrage.  

Under the Trump administration, 7 million people have come off of food stamps and 10 million have been lifted off welfare. The Trump administration has introduced limitations on welfare that will remove more than 600,000 people from food stamps

Trump also told the story of Tony Rankins, an army veteran who overcame PTSD and a drug addiction, and is now reunited with his family. 

“He was homeless, but then Tony found a construction company that invests in opportunity zones. He is now a top tradesman, drug free, and reunited with his family,” Trump said.

 

Criminal Justice 

Trump then moved into talking about landmark criminal justice reform, to which both parties applauded. 

 

Trade/Foreign Affairs

Trump moved on to talking about the trade deals that he has created, including replacing NAFTA with the U.S.-Mexico-Canada trade deal, which Trump said is better for American farmers. 

“Unlike so many who came before me, I kept my promises. We did our job,” he said.

Trump then recognized “the true president” of Venezuela, Juan Guaido, as one of his guests. He mentioned him while speaking about standing against the current communist regime in Venezuela. 

“Socialism destroys nations, but always remember freedom unifies the soul,” Trump said.

 

Education

 

Education was another key point in the president’s speech.

“Americans have always rejected limits on our children’s future,” Trump said.

Trump brought in Janiyah Davis, a fourth grader on a waitlist to get into a better elementary school. Davis is the daughter of a single mother. Trump announced that an opportunity scholarship has been created, and he is sending her to the school of her choice. 

Trump explained his position that no parent should be forced to send their child to a failing government school. Then Trump thanked his wife for her “Be Best system,” and for caring about America’s children. 

The president shared his desire to offer technical and vocational education in every high school in America. He also mentioned he wants to ensure more funding for historically black colleges. 

 

Healthcare

 

Next, Trump spoke about Healthcare and about his executive order requiring price transparency, which will go into full effect next year. 

Trump called on Congress to stand with him in preventing free healthcare to illegal immigrants. He also called for bipartisan legislation to lower the cost of prescription drug prices.

Trump claimed the cost of prescription drugs went down last year; however, this statement is false. While drug prices are not increasing as fast as normal, they are not going down

Trump also mentioned that the opioid crisis is on the decline and he will not stop until the U.S. has beat the opioid epidemic once and for all. This comment has been declared mostly true, according to the New York Times. 

Along the lines of healthcare, Trump said he would take all necessary steps to protect all American’s from the Coronavirus. 

The president also had Rush Limbaugh as a guest, who was recently diagnosed with stage-4 lung cancer, and is being awarded the presidential medal of freedom. First Lady Melania Trump presented him with the honor. 

Trump also spoke of Ellie Schneider who was born at 21 weeks and 6 days old. She is one of the youngest babies to survive in the United States. He asked for money to fund neonatal research and to pass a bill banning late term abortions. 

Trump mentioned his recently signed law providing new parents in the workforce with paid-family-leave. 

 

Illegal Immigration

Another one of Trump’s guests was Jody Jones, the brother of an individual who was shot and killed by an illegal immigrant. 

Trump asked Congress to pass a Justice for Victims of Sanctuary cities bill, allowing victims of illegal aliens that were released in sanctuary cities to sue the city or state. 

“The United States should be a sanctuary for law abiding citizens, not illegal aliens,” Trump said.

Trump said his administration has ended catch and release, and said if anyone is here illegally, they will be removed. He also said illegal crossings are down 75 percent since May, which is true

 

Religion

Trump continued by speaking about how his administration protects religious liberty, including the Constitutional right to pray in public schools.

“In America, we don’t punish prayer, we don’t tear down crosses, we don’t ban symbols of faith, we don’t muzzle preachers and pastors,” Trump said. “In America, we celebrate faith, we cherish religion, we lift our voices in prayer, and we raise our sights to the glory of God.” 

 

Foreign Intervention

Trump was also joined by Cal and Marsha Mueller, whose daughter, Kayla, was tortured and killed by an ISIS leader at age 26.

Christopher Hake, a service member who was killed while in Iraq, was also honored through his wife and son, Kelli and Gage. 

After thanking his family for their sacrifice, Trump mentioned his strike that killed General Soleimani. 

“If you attack our citizens, you forfeit your life,” he said. 

Trump called on the Iranian regime to start working for the good of its people, and said America would help them make that recovery. 

Trump switched to talking about the Middle East in general and said he is looking to end the wars occurring there. 

Trump then surprised a military family with a homecoming, an overwhelming and emotional moment for everyone. This sparked the chamber to begin a “USA” chant. 

The president closed his speech by calling on the great presidents and heroes of the past, such as Amelia Earhart and Abraham Lincoln. He also spoke of America’s pastime, beginning with the pilgrims and showing how far the nation has come. 

“Our ancestors built the most exceptional republic to ever exist in all of human history, and we are making it greater than ever before,” Trump said. “The American age, the American epic, the American adventure, has only just begun. Our spirit is still young. The sun is still rising. God’s grace is still shining. And my fellow Americans, the best is yet to come. Thank you. God bless you, and God bless America.”

Immediately following the end of the speech, Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi ripped her paper copy of the State of the Union in half. 

Trump did not reference his impeachment, any obstacles his administration has faced, or attack his opposition.