Syracuse, N.Y. (NCC News)- President Trump addressed the nation for the first time since coming back in office on Tuesday, March 4. The President spoke about a variety of topics in a joint session of Congress for an hour and 40 minutes.
Trump started off proclaiming that America was back and looked back to when he proclaimed the dawn of the golden age of America. The 45th and 47th President then claimed his administration has accomplished more in 43 days than most accomplish in four or eight years.
The audience was split with many Republicans applauding the President, while many Democrats protested. Al Green, U.S. representative from Texas, interrupted the speech to protest Trump’s intention to cut Medicaid shouting “You have no mandate”.
“It’s worth it to let people know that there are some of us who are going to stand up against this president,” said Green afterwards.
Some democrats also held black paddles that read “SAVE MEDICAID,” “PROTECT VETERANS,” and “MUSK STEALS”.
When it comes to the source material of the speech, the president touched on all the policies that he wants to accomplish and what help he wants out of Congress.
The president said that his administration is preparing a pathway to citizenship through a $5 million gold card for foreigners. He urged Congress to pass tax cuts for everybody. Made his case for tariffs, stating that foreign countries impose the same tariffs on U.S. exports. He called on Congress to pass a law requiring the death penalty for anyone who murders a police officer. He also asked Congress to pass a bill banning and criminalizing sex changes on children.
The speech contained a multitude of pleas to congress in what ended up being the longest address to a joint session of Congress since at least 1964, according to The American Presidency Project by the University of California, Santa Barbara. The one that has the most impact in Central New York is his call to end the CHIPS and Science Act, which was enacted under the Biden administration. The law is intended to boost semiconductor chip manufacturing and the termination of the bill could jeopardize Micron’s plans in CNY.