Donald Trump speaks to a divided US Congress
Donald Trump spoke to a joint session of the US Congress:
Trump declares ‘America is back,’ defends tariffs, other policies in address to Congress
March 5, 2025
Washington — U.S. President Donald Trump in a Tuesday night speech to a joint session of Congress defended his new tariffs on U.S. trading partners and pledged that more are coming.
“Other countries have used tariffs against us for decades, and now it’s our turn,” Trump said in what was his first address to U.S. lawmakers of his second term. …
U.S. stock markets have taken a significant tumble, and the three countries have threatened retaliation, prompting concerns of a broader trade war. …
Trump also said the United States will begin imposing “reciprocal tariffs” on all U.S. trading partners on April 2.
“Whatever they tariff us, we will tariff them,” he said. “Whatever they tax us, we will tax them.” …
Trump also said he will impose a 25% tariff on imports of foreign aluminum, copper, lumber and steel.
Trump’s address comes six weeks into his second term, which has been marked by tensions with U.S. allies, shifts in foreign policy and an overhaul of the federal government. The White House on Monday said the theme of the address was the “renewal of the American dream.”
With Vice President JD Vance and Speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives Mike Johnson seated behind him, Trump began his speech by proclaiming that “America is back,” triggering chants of “USA” from Republican lawmakers.
“Six weeks ago, I stood beneath the dome of this Capitol and proclaimed the dawn of the Golden Age of America. From that moment on, it has been nothing but swift and unrelenting action to usher in the greatest and most successful era in the history of our country,” he said.
Trump also said his administration has “accomplished more in 43 days than most administrations accomplished in four years or eight years.” …
Early in his speech, Trump touted his declaration of a national emergency on the U.S.-Mexico border and deployment of the U.S. military and border patrol to “repel the invasion of our country.”
Trump said his administration has launched “the most sweeping border and immigration crackdown in American history.” He also repeated the false claim that 21 million people entered the United States illegally during the Biden administration.
Trump also took time during his address to laud a recent executive order he signed banning transgender women from women’s sports. He also falsely insinuated that transgender youth do not exist. The president has also signed other orders targeting transgender Americans.
On shrinking the federal government, Trump, who imposed an immediate freeze on all federal hiring since returning to the White House, praised his adviser Elon Musk, the tech billionaire, whose Department of Government Efficiency has been behind the layoffs of tens of thousands of government workers and other cuts throughout the federal government.
Trump said his administration “will reclaim power from this unaccountable bureaucracy and we will restore true democracy to America again.” He added that any government workers who “resist this change” will be “removed from office immediately.”
Democratic lawmakers — and some Republicans — have criticized the layoffs and cuts.
During the address, Republican lawmakers were raucous in their support for Trump. Democratic lawmakers, meanwhile, protested in a mix of ways.
Just a few minutes into his address, Trump was interrupted by jeering from the floor of the House, prompting Speaker Johnson to direct the sergeant at arms to remove Democratic Representative Al Green of Texas. Trump continued his address after Green was removed from the chamber.
Several Democratic women lawmakers wore pink in protest of what they say are Trump policies that harm women. Some Democratic lawmakers walked out in the middle of Trump’s address; others skipped the speech entirely. …
Trump said he is working to end the war in Ukraine, which was started by Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine more than three years ago.
“It’s time to stop this madness. It’s time to halt the killing. It’s time to end the senseless war,” he said.
Trump’s comments come one day after the United States paused military aid to Ukraine and a few days after an acrimonious Oval Office meeting on Friday concluded with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy leaving the White House without an agreement.
In his address, Trump said he received a letter Tuesday from Zelenskyy that said Kyiv is “ready to come to the negotiating table as soon as possible.”
“I appreciate that he sent this letter,” Trump said.
Trump’s address set the record for the longest address to a joint session of Congress at one hour and 40 minutes. https://www.voanews.com/a/trump-declares-america-is-back-defends-tariffs-other-policies-in-address-to-congress/7998336.html
Mr. Trump, who has suggested using military force or coercion to gain control of Greenland, had a message for the Denmark-owned territory.
“I also have a message tonight for the incredible people of Greenland,” Mr. Trump said. “We strongly support your right to determine your own future, and if you choose, we welcome you into the United States of America.” https://www.cbsnews.com/live-updates/trump-2025-speech-joint-address-congress/
ABC reported the following about the speech and its reception:
‘Partisan and divisive’: House leadership disagrees on reception of Trump’s joint address
March 5, 2025
As Washington sought on Wednesday to make sense of President Donald Trump’s joint address to Congress, House Republicans saw the speech as going “overwhelmingly well,” while Democrats called it “partisan and divisive.”
Republican House Speaker Mike Johnson and Democratic House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries appeared on ABC News’ “Good Morning America” on Wednesday, presenting their parties’ differing views of Trump’s Tuesday speech.
“That was one of the most partisan and divisive speeches every delivered by an American president,” Jeffries told ABC News’ George Stephanopoulos.
Trump spoke to thundering applause from Republican majorities in the House and Senate, but faced heckles from some raucous Democrats.
“The speech last night went overwhelmingly well,” Johnson said on Wednesday on “GMA.” “It was not a speech for the mainstream media — it was a speech for the American people.” https://abcnews.go.com/Politics/partisan-divisive-house-leadership-disagrees-reception-trumps-joint/story?id=119468316
Having watched several parts of the speech last night, let me, as a non-partisan, add that the Democrats were very divisive and partisan–so I find that charge by them against Donald Trump to be quite hypocritical. I will also add that comments about Greenland will also tend to further divide the Europeans from the USA.
As far as Donald Trump being divisive, here is something from my book Unintended Consequences and Donald Trump’s Presidency: Is Donald Trump Fulfilling Biblical, Islamic, Greco-Roman Catholic, Buddhist, and other America-Related Prophecies?:
Donald Trump has been a polarizing figure and has offended many … (p. 89)
Jesus warned:
25 Every kingdom divided against itself is brought to desolation, and every city or house divided against itself will not stand. (Matthew 12:25)
17 Every kingdom divided against itself is brought to desolation, and a house divided against a house falls. (Luke 11:17)
Yes, the US Congress is “a house divided.” As is much of the nation.
As far as what will happen to a hypocritical nation, the Bible warns:
5 O Assyrian, the rod of mine anger, and the staff in their hand is mine indignation.
6 I will send him against an hypocritical nation, and against the people of my wrath will I give him a charge, to take the spoil, and to take the prey, and to tread them down like the mire of the streets. (Isaiah 10:5-6, KJV)
Yes, the USA is “an hypocritical nation” and will one day be no more (see also our free e-book: Lost Tribes and Prophecies: What will happen to Australia, the British Isles, Canada, Europe, New Zealand and the United States of America? ). The “dawn of the Golden Age of America” is not about to appear.
Whether you love him, loath him, tolerate him, or whatever, Donald Trump has never called for national repentance, and despite some positive statements, he is NOT what the USA needs.
The USA needs the return of Jesus and the coming Kingdom of God.
Some items of possibly related interest may include:
The Gospel of the Kingdom of God This free online pdf booklet has answers many questions people have about the Gospel of the Kingdom of God and explains why it is the solution to the issues the world is facing. It is available in over 1,500 languages at ccog.org. Here are links to four kingdom-related sermons: The Fantastic Gospel of the Kingdom of God!, The World’s False Gospel, The Gospel of the Kingdom: From the New and Old Testaments, and The Kingdom of God is the Solution.
Is God Calling You? This booklet discusses topics including calling, election, and selection. If God is calling you, how will you respond? Here is are links to related sermons: Christian Election: Is God Calling YOU? and Predestination and Your Selection; here is a message in Spanish: Me Está Llamando Dios Hoy? A short animation is also available: Is God Calling You?
Christian Repentance Do you know what repentance is? Is it really necessary for salvation? Two related sermons about this are also available: Real Repentance and Real Christian Repentance.
USA in Prophecy: The Strongest Fortresses Can you point to scriptures, like Daniel 11:39, that point to the USA in the 21st century? This article does. Two related sermon are available: Identifying the USA and its Destruction in Prophecy and Do these 7 prophesies point to the end of the USA?
Who is the King of the West? Why is there no Final End-Time King of the West in Bible Prophecy? Is the United States the King of the West? Here is a version in the Spanish language: ¿Quién es el Rey del Occidente? ¿Por qué no hay un Rey del Occidente en la profecía del tiempo del fin? A related sermon is also available: The Bible, the USA, and the King of the West.
Lost Tribes and Prophecies: What will happen to Australia, the British Isles, Canada, Europe, New Zealand and the United States of America? Where did those people come from? Can you totally rely on DNA? What about other peoples? Do you really know what will happen to Europe and the English-speaking peoples? What about Africa, Asia, South America, and the Islands? This free online book provides scriptural, scientific, historical references, and commentary to address those matters. Here are links to related sermons: Lost tribes, the Bible, and DNA; Lost tribes, prophecies, and identifications; 11 Tribes, 144,000, and Multitudes; Israel, Jeremiah, Tea Tephi, and British Royalty; Gentile European Beast; Royal Succession, Samaria, and Prophecies; Asia, Islands, Latin America, Africa, and Armageddon; When Will the End of the Age Come?; Rise of the Prophesied King of the North; Christian Persecution from the Beast; WWIII and the Coming New World Order; and Woes, WWIV, and the Good News of the Kingdom of God.
Unintended Consequences and Donald Trump’s Presidency: Is Donald Trump Fulfilling Biblical, Islamic, Greco-Roman Catholic, Buddhist, and other America-Related Prophecies? Is Donald Trump going to save the USA or are there going to be many disastrous unintended consequences of his statements and policies? What will happen. The link takes you to a book available at Amazon.com.
Unintended Consequences and Donald Trump’s Presidency: Is Donald Trump Fulfilling Biblical, Islamic, Greco-Roman Catholic, Buddhist, and other America-Related Prophecies? Kindle edition is available for only US$3.99. And you do not need an actual Kindle device to read it. Why? Amazon will allow you to download it to almost any device: Please click HERE to download one of Amazon s Free Reader Apps. After you go to for your free Kindle reader and then go to Unintended Consequences and Donald Trump’s Presidency: Is Donald Trump Fulfilling Biblical, Islamic, Greco-Roman Catholic, Buddhist, and other America-Related Prophecies?
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