President Donald Trump is scheduled to address Congress on Tuesday evening following an intense period of activity in the White House. Trump appears poised to deliver a bold and candid speech as he navigates significant policy changes and tumult in the U.S. relationship with Ukraine. “Tomorrow night will be significant,” Trump declared emphatically on Truth Social on Monday. “I will speak frankly.” Since assuming office, Trump has issued numerous executive orders, likely to be highlighted in his speech on Tuesday. These orders range from declaring a national energy emergency and affirming the U.S. government’s stance on binary sexes to reinstating the Remain in Mexico policy for asylum seekers. The swift pace of policy implementation by Trump’s administration has left Democrats struggling to keep up, from expanding domestic oil drilling to initiating a countrywide deportation initiative to uncovering billions in waste and fraud in the federal government. Of immediate concern to Congress is Trump’s proposal to cut taxes and secure government funding, with a looming shutdown in mid-March if funding is not secured. While the tax cuts have been approved by the House, Senate Majority Leader John Thune has expressed interest in making them permanent. Trump’s tax cuts, originally enacted in 2017, could significantly increase the national debt. To solidify his policy agenda, Trump now seeks legislative support to codify his executive orders, many of which face legal challenges. Lawmakers must pass legislation to ensure the longevity of these orders beyond Trump’s presidency. Rep. Nancy Mace anticipates an extraordinary speech from Trump and urges everyone to tune in. The fate of Trump’s tariffs remains uncertain, as his proposal for reciprocal tariffs challenges traditional Republican views on free trade. The impact of such tariffs on global trade and domestic prices is unclear, making it a contentious issue among lawmakers. Following a public dispute with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, Trump’s stance on Ukraine will be closely watched. Democrats urge Trump to reconcile and support Ukraine against Russian aggression. The outcome of Trump’s address regarding Ukraine will reveal his approach toward the conflict. Sen. Chris Murphy plans to boycott the joint address as a form of protest.
“I predict that the upcoming speech will turn out to be a complete farce,” he stated during an interview with CNN’s Dana Bash. “I believe it will essentially be a rally geared towards the MAGA agenda, rather than a substantive and meaningful address.” Despite the continuous stream of controversial policies emanating from the White House, Republicans have largely stood together in support of the president. “President Trump is set to make a grand reappearance at the Capitol for a joint session of Congress this Tuesday,” expressed House Speaker Mike Johnson, a representative from Louisiana. “As he completes his first month back in the Oval Office, he can boast of a substantial list of achievements, promises kept, and decisive steps taken towards the goal of making America GREAT again.”
