President Trump delivered his second State of the Union speech on Tuesday, imploring lawmakers to “break decades of political stalemate” and “heal old wounds” just weeks after the longest government shutdown in history.
With House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Vice President Mike Pence seated behind him on the dais of the House chamber, Mr. Trump spoke for nearly an hour and a half, with frequent interruptions of applause from Republican members who broke into chants of “USA!” at several points.
The House chamber was marked by dozens of Democratic women wearing white, the color historically associated with the suffragette movement.
Mr. Trump’s speech was his first address to a joint session with one House controlled by Democrats. His remarks came as Congress works to craft a deal on border security to prevent another shutdown before a looming mid-month deadline.
State of the Union live updates — follow below:
Congress closes joint session
10:35 p.m.: House Speaker Nancy Pelosi declared the joint session of Congress dissolved. The session then adjourned.
President Trump departs House chamber
10:29 p.m.: President Trump concluded his speech and exited the House chamber at around 10:30 p.m.
President Trump wraps up speech on hopeful note
10:23 p.m.: President Trump concluded the speech on a hopeful note, with a final call for bipartisanship.
“Think of this Capitol — think of this very chamber, where lawmakers before you voted to end slavery, to build the railroads and the highways, to defeat fascism, to secure civil rights, to face down an evil empire,” Mr. Trump said.
He added that the country’s “biggest victories are still to come.”
“We must choose whether we are defined by our differences — or whether we dare to transcend them,” Mr. Trump said. “We must choose whether we squander our inheritance — or whether we proudly declare that we are Americans: we do the incredible, we defy the impossible, we conquer the unknown.”
In an allusion to two of his favorite campaign slogans, “Make America Great Again” and “America First,” Mr. Trump called for Congress to keep America “first in our hearts” and to “choose greatness.”
President Trump denounces anti-Semitism
10:14 p.m.: President Trump denounced the “vile poison of Anti-Semitism,” and referred to the mass shooting at the Tree of Life Synagogue in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, earlier this year, which killed 11 people.
“With one voice, we must confront this hatred anywhere and everywhere it occurs,” Mr. Trump said. SWAT Officer Timothy Matson, a first responder during the shooting who was shot seven times, was a guest at the State of the Union.
Mr. Trump praised another guest at the address, Judah Samet, a survivor of the massacre at the synagogue and of the Holocaust. The chamber then broke out in an impromptu round of the song “Happy Birthday to You.”
Joshua Kaufman, a survivor of the Dachau concentration camp, was also in attendance at the State of the Union address.
President Trump addresses controversial Middle East policies
10:11 p.m.: President Trump addressed his decision to withdraw troops from Syria and Afghanistan, which has been met with resistance from many Republicans.
“We have spent more than $7 trillion dollars in the Middle East. As a candidate for President, I pledged a new approach. Great nations do not fight endless wars,” Mr. Trump said. He claimed that the U.S. has helped to liberate Syria and Iraq from the terrorist group ISIS.
Mr. Trump also discussed the war in Afghanistan, which has been ongoing for the past eighteen years. The administration is currently negotiating peace talks with the Taliban. Some Republicans are concerned that the Afghan government is not playing a bigger role in the negotiations.
“As we make progress in these negotiations, we will be able to reduce our troop presence and focus on counter-terrorism,” Mr. Trump said. “We do not know whether we will achieve an agreement — but we do know that after two decades of war, the hour has come to at least try for peace.”
President Trump announces summit with Kim Jong-Un
10:07 p.m.: President Trump announced a second summit with North Korean Leader Kim Jong-Un at the end of the month.
“If I had not been elected President of the United States, we would right now, in my opinion, be in a major war with North Korea,” Mr. Trump claimed. “Much work remains to be done, but my relationship with Kim Jong Un is a good one.”
He said that he will meet with Kim on Feb. 27 and 28 in Vietnam.
10:00 p.m.: After receiving bipartisan applause over his support for paid family leave, President Trump addressed the contentious issue of abortion rights around an hour into his speech. He criticized a law recently passed in the New York state legislature which strengthened abortion protections.
“Lawmakers in New York cheered with delight upon the passage of legislation that would allow a baby to be ripped from the mother’s womb moments before birth,” Mr. Trump said, incorrectly. The law passed in New York decriminalizes abortion past 24 weeks of pregnancy. Late-term abortions are rare and typically occur when the life of the mother or fetus is in danger.
He also criticized embattled Virginia Gov. Ralph Northam, who was criticized last week for his comments on how late-term abortions occur.
“To defend the dignity of every person, I am asking Congress to pass legislation to prohibit the late-term abortion of children who can feel pain in the mother’s womb,” Mr. Trump said, to cheers from Republicans. “And let us reaffirm a fundamental truth: all children — born and unborn — are made in the holy image ofGod.”
Trump outlines priorities for Congress
9:50 p.m.: President Trump called on Congress to pass the United States Reciprocal Trade Act, “so that if another country places an unfair tariff on an American product, we can charge them the exact same tariff on the same product that they sell to us.”
He also alluded to the long-promised infrastructure plan, a priority of his administration since taking office.
“I am eager to work with you on legislation to deliver new and important infrastructure investment, including investments in the cutting edge industries of the future,” he said.
Mr. Trump also discussed the need to lower health care costs and prescription drug prices.
Democrats cheer loudly at a line on women gaining new jobs
9:47 p.m.: An unexpected audience cheered at a line in Mr. Trump’s speech: Democratic congresswomen. When Mr. Trump said that women filled 58 percent of the new jobs created in the last year, Democratic congresswomen jumped up and cheered.
“You weren’t supposed to do that,” Mr. Trump quipped to the Democratic side of the chamber. “Thank you very much.”
After women began to sit down, Mr. Trump urged them to remain standing: “Don’t sit yet, you’re going to like this,” he joked.
He then acknowledged that more women were serving in Congress than at any other time in history. This was met by standing ovations and a chant of “USA.” This time, Democrats joined in on the chant.
Trump calls for Congress to fund a border wall
9:42 p.m.: President Trump touted his “common sense” proposal to build a wall at the southern border. Although other presidents had not managed to build a border wall, Mr. Trump said, “I will get it built.”
“This is a smart, strategic, see-through steel barrier — not just a simple concrete wall,” Mr. Trump said. “Walls work and walls save lives!”
He used the examples of San Diego, California, and El Paso, Texas, as two cities on the border with walls.
President Trump discusses “crisis” at southern border
9:30 p.m.: President Trump called on Congress to pass a bill to fund the government. Mr. Trump signed a bill reopening the government without money for a border wall after a 35-day shutdown in late January. The continuing resolution to fund the government ends on Feb. 15, and Mr. Trump has continued his call for funding for a border wall.
“Now is the time for Congress to show the world that America is committed to ending illegal immigration and putting the ruthless coyotes, cartels, drug dealers, and human traffickers out of business,” Mr. Trump said. He said that he ordered 3,750 military troops to the southern border to stop “caravans” of migrants from entering the United States.
“Tonight, I am asking you to defend our very dangerous southern border out of love and devotion to our fellow citizens and to our country,” Mr. Trump said. He repeated an argument he has often made to justify the wall, saying that wealthy and powerful people keep walls around their houses to protect from intruders.
“Tolerance for illegal immigration is not compassionate — it is actually very cruel,” Mr. Trump said, citing human and drug trafficking concerns. However, much of the drugs which passes over the border is smuggled in through legal points of entry.
He then pivoted to discussing the victims of crime by illegal migrants. He praised three of his guests, the daughter, granddaughter, and great-granddaughter of Gerald and Sharon David, who were killed by an illegal immigrant in Reno, Nevada in January.
“Not one more American life should be lost because our nation failed to control its very dangerous border,” Mr. Trump said.
He also celebrated another guest, Immigration and Customs Enforcement Officer Elvin Hernandez, who immigrated to the U.S. legally from the Dominican Republic as a child and now leads investigations into sex trafficking.
President Trumps touts passage of First Step Act
9:28 p.m.: President Trump touted the passage of the bipartisan First Step Act, a criminal justice reform act, which Mr. Trump said “gives non-violent offenders the chance tore-enter society as productive, law-abiding citizens.”
He also praised guest Alice Johnson, a first-time non-violent drug offender sentenced to life in prison, whose sentence he commuted after hearing about her situation from Kim Kardashian West. He also praised guest Matthew Charles, the first man released under the First Step Act.
Trump says State of the Union is “strong,” briefly alludes to Mueller investigation
9:22 p.m.: President Trump said the “state of our union is strong,” again to a standing ovation and chants of “USA” from Republicans. Many Democrats did not clap.
“That sounds so good,” Mr. Trump quipped, responding to the chants.
“An economic miracle is taking place in the United States — and the only thing that can stop it are foolish wars, politics or ridiculous partisan investigations,” Mr. Trump said, referring to special counsel Robert Mueller’s investigation into Russian interference in the 2016 election. “If there is going to be peace and legislation, there cannot be war and investigation.”
Mr. Trump has also made the controversial decision to withdraw troops from Syria and Afghanistan, which many Republicans oppose.
Mr. Trump also called for executive and judicial appointments to be confirmed by the Senate.
Trump touts his administration’s accomplishments
9:16 p.m.: Mr. Trump touted his administration’s accomplishments in his first two years in office to a standing ovation from the Republican side of the chamber.
“The U.S. economy is growing almost twice as fast today as when I took office, and we are considered far and away the hottest economy anywhere in the world — not even close,” Mr. Trump said, repeating a common line from campaign rallies about low unemployment rates among African Americans, Asian Americans, Hispanic Americans and women.
Mr. Trump also touted the tax overhaul which passed Congress at the end of 2017.
Democrats looked on wearing frowns or stone-faced as Republicans applauded several of Mr. Trump’s lines on about the state of the economy.
Trump outlines the “agenda of the American people”
9:05 p.m.: Mr. Trump began his State of the Union address with a call for bipartisanship.
“The agenda I will lay out this evening is not a Republican agenda or a Democrat agenda. It is the agenda of the American people,” Mr. Trump said. Democrats prefer to use the adjectival “Democratic” instead of “Democrat,” but Mr. Trump and other Republicans use “Democrat” as an adjective instead.
“Victory is not winning for our party. Victory is winning for our country,” Mr. Trump said. He introduced three soldiers who served on D-Day, as this year marks the 75th anniversary since that battle in World War II. Astronaut Buzz Aldrin, who was one of the men to fly to the moon 50 years ago on Apollo 11, was also in attendance.
“We must reject the politics of revenge, resistance and retribution — and embrace the boundless potential of cooperation, compromise and the common good,” Mr. Trump said, in a paean to bipartisanship, although he is known for publicly insulting and belittling his political enemies. “We must choose between greatness or gridlock, results or resistance, vision or vengeance, incredible progress or pointless destruction.”
President Trump enters the chamber
9:03 p.m.: President Trump has entered the House chamber to deliver the State of the Union address. He shook hands with lawmakers on his way to the dais to give the speech.
First lady enters the House chamber
8:56 p.m.: First lady Melania Trump entered the House chamber to extended applause. The president’s cabinet, excepting Energy Secretary Rick Perry, the designated survivor, then entered the chamber.
Supreme Court Justices enter the chamber
8:54 p.m.: Chief Justice John Roberts, along with Associate Justices Elena Kagan, Brett Kavanaugh, and Neil Gorsuch, entered the House chamber for the State of the Union. Justices Clarence Thomas and Samuel Alito do not attend because of personal philosophy.
President Trump has arrived at the Capitol
8:50 p.m.: President Trump has arrived at the Capitol.
Rick Perry is the designated survivor
8:49 p.m.: CBS News has confirmed that Department of Energy Secretary Rick Perry is the designated survivor, meaning that if the Capitol is attacked, Perry will become president.
President Trump leaves the White House
8:40 p.m.: President Trump has left the White House to travel to the Capitol for the State of the Union.
Kamala Harris delivers pre-State of the Union address
8:39 p.m.: Sen. Kamala Harris, a 2020 presidential candidate, delivered remarks on Facebook Live at 7:45 p.m. ET prior to President Trump’s State of the Union address.
Harris told viewers to take Mr. Trump’s speech with a grain of salt. She said that when Mr. Trump talks about a growing economy and crisis on the border, that listeners should not forget about the realities of minorities, immigrants and middle class. She urged leaders to recommit themselves to the truth and fighting for an “optimistic America.”
Harris ended her video by telling viewers to tune into Stacey Abrams and California Attorney General Xavier Becerra’s speeches after Mr. Trump’s address.
Harris brought a government worker who was furloughed during the recent shutdown as her guest to the State of the Union, telling CBS News’ Nancy Cordes the shutdown was “not without harm.” Harris and her guest Trisha Pesiri-Dybvik spoke to Cordes before the senator’s pre-speech rebuttal to President Trump’s address.
Excerpts from President Trump’s State of the Union address
8:07 p.m.: The White House has released excerpts of President Trump’s State of the Union address, less than an hour before Mr. Trump is set to give the speech. Based on the excerpts provided, the speech will address the need for bipartisanship and unity, as well as his administration’s accomplishments over the past year.
Mr. Trump is expected to say that he is not laying out a party agenda, but an “agenda of the American People.”
“Together, we can break decades of political stalemate. We can bridge old divisions, heal old wounds, build new coalitions, forge new solutions, and unlock the extraordinary promise of America’s future. The decision is ours to make,” Mr. Trump will say.
Mr. Trump will call for a border wall, a signature issue of his campaign and presidency. The president recently capitulated to Democrats by reopening the government after a 35-day shutdown with no money for a wall guaranteed. Mr. Trump signed a continuing resolution for the government to remain open through Feb. 15.
“No issue better illustrates the divide between America’s WORKING CLASS and America’s POLITICAL CLASS than illegal immigration. Wealthy politicians and donors push for open borders while living their lives behind walls and gates and guards,” Mr. Trump will say. The capitalization was present in the excerpts provided for the press.
Find all the excerpts here.
Why does the first lady leave for the State of the Union first?
7:58 p.m.: First lady Melania Trump was set to depart the White House at 7:50 p.m. for the Capitol, 40 minutes before the president is scheduled to leave.
Asked why the couple does not leave together, the first lady’s spokesperson Stephanie Grisham told CBS News, “Just like last year, she wants to ensure her guests have a special evening. She goes ahead with them so they can visit for a while and to ensure they feel comfortable.”
Flake says he’s “glad” activist who confronted him in elevator will be at State of the Union
7:32 p.m.: Former Sen. Jeff Flake, a CBS News contributor, said on CBSN he was “glad” Democratic Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez of New York invited Ana Maria Archila, the activist who confronted him in an elevator during the Brett Kavanaugh confirmation hearings, to the State of the Union.
“I’m glad she’s there. She had a real impact,” Flake said. The Arizona Republican joined CBS News as a contributor in January.
In September, Flake surprised his colleagues on both sides of the aisle when he called for a delay in the Senate floor vote on Supreme Court nominee Brett Kavanaugh’s confirmation after his interaction with Archila. He later did vote to confirm Kavanaugh.
Archila told “CBS This Morning” in October that she and Flake were able to establish a human connection during the viral interaction: “I connected to him because he’s a father, I am a mother. This is not just about us today, not just about the politics of this moment; this is about the lives of the people we love so much.”
An activist and co-executive director of the Center for Popular Democracy, a liberal advocacy group based in New York City, Archila said she had been going to Washington, D.C., for weeks trying to talk to members of the Senate about her concerns over placing Kavanaugh on the Supreme Court — even before the allegations of sexual assault arose.
“I think that he stands for the rollback of decades of progress for women’s rights, for communities of color, for workers, for immigrants,” she said. “I was doing the work of making my voice heard, bringing others to make sure that the decision was informed by the appearances of people who stood to lose so much.”
Trump’s speech runs about 5,000 words
7:12 p.m.: President Trump’s speech runs about 5,000 words — easily an hour in length, depending upon the applause he receives. Aides say chief White House speechwriter Stephen Miller started drafting the address three weeks ago. Counselor Kellyanne Conway, daughter Ivanka Trump and son-in-law Jared Kushner weighed in throughout the process. The president spent about four to five hours on practice sessions and revisions yesterday and several more hours today.
The biggest goal of the speech is finding a bipartisan opening, if possible, to set a new tone between the White House and Democrats. Coming of the nation’s longest government shutdown and facing the prospect of another in just 11 days, Mr. Trump knows this State of the Union address could have a short shelf life. He’ll call for unity and reaching for greatness, themes that are sure to ring hollow if government offices close down again on Feb. 15.
Republicans have little appetite for a second shutdown. The White House has expressed some optimism lawmakers can strike a deal by Friday, giving the president some, but not all, of the wall funding he seeks.
“More cooperation and unity. Less divisiveness. There is a divided government, but that does not mean they cannot work together,” said Conway earlier today.
The president will push for legislation to reduce prescription drug prices, approve the rewritten trade deal with Mexico and Canada and revive the bipartisan deal to spend billions on new roads, bridges, runways and ports. White House press secretary Sarah Sanders suggested infrastructure “is one of the easiest” areas for bipartisan agreement.
“Everybody in this country knows we have crumbling bridges and roads that need to be fixed,” she said today.
The president will push Congress again for funding for a barrier along the southern border, though he is not expected to declare a national emergency tonight that could free up billions without congressional approval. Sanders said Mr. Trump is “as committed today as he’s ever been to making sure we get real border security that includes a wall, and he’ll make that case tonight.”
Mr. Trump will have to temper his rhetoric about victory over ISIS this evening. While he’s expected to celebrate substantial progress against the terror group in Iraq and Syria, defense officials have warned ISIS could regroup after U.S. forces leave. Gen. Joseph Votel, commander of Central Command, said the U.S. needs to maintain pressure on ISIS. “It is a resilient network,” he said. “It does have certain components that are still left in it.”
Reporting by Major Garrett
Who will sit in the first lady’s box?
6:27 p.m.: First lady Melania Trump will be joined by 13 guests in her box at the State of the Union address. The White House’s message to supporters describes the guests this way: “This year’s guests come from all different walks of life, and each has an incredible story to tell. Many have overcome exceptional hardship. Some have served our country in the Armed Forces or in law enforcement. Others have endured personal tragedy because of America’s broken immigration system.” Those guests include:
- Debra Bissell, Heather Armstrong, Madison Armstrong: The daughter, granddaughter and great-granddaughter of Gerald and Sharon David who were “tragically murdered in their home in Nevada by an illegal immigrant in January 2019,” according to the White House.
- Elvin Hernandez: Special agent with the Trafficking in Persons unit of the Department of Homeland Security.
- Roy James: Plant manager of Vicksburg Forest Products lumber facility which reopened after a brief closure following the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, the tax overhaul backed by the Trump administration.
- Alice Johnson: Granted clemency by President Trump after Kim Kardashian West intervened.
- Grace Eline: Child cancer survivor.
- Ashley Evans: Recovering opioid addict who suffered relapse during pregnancy.
- Matthew Charles: First prisoner released as a result of the First Step Act.
- Timothy Matson: Member of the Pittsburgh Police SWAT team that responded to the mass shooting at the Tree of Life Synagogue in October.
- Judah Samet: Holocaust survivor and member of the Tree of Life Synagogue in Pittsburgh.
- Joshua Trump: 6th grader who was bullied over his last name.
- Tom Wibberley: Father of Navy seaman Craig Wibberley who was killed on the U.S.S. Cole.
Tissues for the Trump family
6:07 p.m.: Potentially expecting an emotional State or the Union speech, advance staffers in the first lady’s box in the House chamber have handed out individual tissues packages to the seats of President Trump’s children.
The seats are for Ivanka Trump, her husband Jared Kushner, and Eric Trump’s seats, according to a staffer’s description.
Reporting by Bo Erickson
Who’s coming to the State of the Union?
5:45 p.m.: Bringing guests to the House chamber for the State of the Union address is a longstanding tradition. Lawmakers can each bring one guest, while the president may invite two dozen guests to sit in the first lady’s box.
The speaker of the House may also bring 24 guests to sit in the speaker’s box. In many cases, the guests epitomize an issue currently facing the nation or a lawmaker’s state. This year, as President Trump faces a busy legislative agenda where he continues to fight for border security funding, efforts to reform health care and stabilization of the nation’s economy, the guest list ranges from undocumented immigrants to veterans, or to parents of school shooting victims.
Find a list of the more notable guests here.
Republicans already saving SOTU seats
5:39 p.m.: With several hours to go before President Trump’s arrival in the House chamber, at least six Republican members are already saving their center-aisle seats for optimal State of the Union viewing.
Rep. Mike Johnson, R-Miss., was seen passing the time by talking on the phone. His Mississippi colleague Rep. Trent Kelly was sitting behind him.
Rep. Jeff Duncan from South Carolina has the first aisle seat in the back row of the chamber, potentially the first person to shake President Trump’s hand when he enters. Meanwhile, Texas Rep. Louie Gohmert was seen pacing the center aisle and Reps. Virginia Foxx of North Carolina and Billy Long of Missouri arrived to save aisle seats.
A lone Democrat joined the waiting group of Republicans in the House chamber around four hours before the address: Rep. Jeff Van Drew of New Jersey.
Reporting by Rebecca Kaplan and Bo Erickson
House Democrats to wear white for SOTU
5:01 p.m.: CBS News has learned that most House Democrats will wear white to promote a message of economic security for women and families, according to the office of Rep. Lois Frankel, D-Fla., chair of the Democratic Women’s Working Group.
The color is historically associated with the suffragette movement. Many Democrats also wore white to Mr. Trump’s 2017 State of the Union as a message in support of women’s rights.
Reporting by Rebecca Kaplan.
Will Trump talk border debate?
The president’s speech comes as congressional negotiators continue to work on a deal on border security before government funding for several departments runs out again on Feb. 15.
Mr. Trump, however, has cast doubt on the ability of negotiators to arrive at a satisfactory deal in time, putting the odds at less than “50-50.” On Friday, he signaled that he could declare a national emergency at the border in order to secure funding for the wall without congressional approval.
Democrats have said they would be willing to expand on a $1.6 billion proposal for border security programs, but have refused to provide any additional funding for the president’s border wall or any structural barrier. Mr. Trump is currently seeking $5.7 billion for his wall.
Who’s giving the Democratic rebuttal?
In traditional fashion, the opposing political party is given the opportunity to respond to the president’s address with a televised rebuttal. This year that honor falls to former Georgia gubernatorial candidate Stacey Abrams. Party officials familiar with the plans say that Abrams will make the address Tuesday night from her hometown of Atlanta.
“She is just a great spokesperson. She’s an incredible leader. She has led the charge for voting rights which is at the root of just about everything else,” Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer told reporters last week. “And she really has, if you look at her background, she knows what middle class people, working class people go through.”
After the announcement, Abrams wrote on Twitter: “At a moment when our nation needs to hear from leaders who can unite for a common purpose, I am honored to be delivering the Democratic State of the Union response.”
An Abrams aide told CBS News on Tuesday her speech is “geared towards a national audience but certainly hits on the themes you expect from Leader Abrams: health care, the economy, education, etc. She’ll weave in personal experiences and deliver a speech that recognizes the gravity of the moment while providing a roadmap for unity and prosperity.”
The aide added that Abrams will be surrounded by Georgians during her speech, including “activists, labor leaders, health care professionals, educators, entrepreneurs, voters who struggled to vote in 2018 or who watched their communities struggle to vote, her family, and more.”
California Attorney General Xavier Becerra will give the Democratic response in Spanish.
Trump speech comes after shutdown delay
Mr. Trump’s speech before Congress comes a week after the speech was initially scheduled. He agreed to postpone the speech, originally slated for Jan. 29, at House Speaker Nancy Pelosi’s request, until after the partial government shutdown was over. The 35-day shutdown ended on Jan. 25.
“As the Shutdown was going on, Nancy Pelosi asked me to give the State of the Union Address. I agreed. She then changed her mind because of the Shutdown, suggesting a later date. This is her prerogative — I will do the Address when the Shutdown is over,” Mr. Trump tweeted at the time. “I am not looking for an … alternative venue for the SOTU Address because there is no venue that can compete with the history, tradition and importance of the House Chamber. I look forward to giving a ‘great’ State of the Union Address in the near future!”
Mr. Trump’s speech is only the second State of the Union speech to be postponed. President Ronald Reagan postponed the speech in 1986 by a week following the Space Shuttle Challenger disaster.
