America has been restored to its former glory, US President Donald Trump said in his joint address to Congress on Tuesday evening.
"My fellow citizens, America is back!" he declared.
"It has been nothing but swift and unrelenting action to usher in the greatest and most successful era in the history of our country. We have accomplished more in 43 days than most administrations accomplish in 4 years or 8 years—and we are just getting started," he said.
BREAKINGCongressman Al Green of Texas has been REMOVED from the House chamber after heckling President Trump's speech. pic.twitter.com/pvCvrPIXo8
— Daily Caller (@DailyCaller) March 5, 2025
KAN News reported that hostages Eli Sharabi, Omer Shem Tov, Yair Horn, and Keith and Aviva Siegel were invited to the address. At the time of publication, The Jerusalem Post did not see them in the audience.
Their attendance was reportedly arranged by Miriam Adelson.
Trump announced his desire to create a "Golden Dome" air defense system inspired by Israel's Iron Dome.
"This will be our greatest era," he asserted. "We are going to renew the promise of the American dream."
“My fellow Americans, get ready for an incredible future because the golden age of America has only just begun. It will be like nothing that has ever been seen before."
'The American Dream is surging'
"I return to this chamber tonight to report that America’s momentum is back. Our spirit is back. Our pride is back. Our confidence is back. And the American Dream is surging — bigger and better than ever before. The American Dream is unstoppable, and our country is on the verge of a comeback the likes of which the world has never witnessed and perhaps will never witness again.”
“Now, for the first time in modern history, more Americans believe that our country is headed in the RIGHT direction than the WRONG direction," he claimed.
In his speech, Trump said that a large part of this momentum will be "draining the swamp" of tenured Washington bureaucrats who resist his sweep measures with the Department of Government Efficiency.
“My administration will reclaim power from this unaccountable bureaucracy, and we will restore true democracy to America again. And any federal bureaucrat who resists this change will be removed from office immediately.”
“Because we are draining the swamp. It’s very simple. And the days of rule by unelected bureaucrats are over."
Trump asserted that his administration's withdrawals from organizations such as the World Health Organization and the Paris Climate Accords were victories for America.
“Every day, my administration is fighting to deliver the change America needs to bring a future that America deserves,” he said, as reported by CNN.
Trump further pointed to the large-scale removal of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) policies as a massive success of his administration.
"Our country will be woke no longer," he said. "Common sense has become a common theme, and we will never go back."
He also spoke on trade with Canada and Mexico and claimed that his methods would create more jobs for Americans.
"Whatever they tariff us, we will tariff them. Whatever they tax us, we will tax them."
The president also mentioned his plans to purchase Greenland during the speech.
"I think we're going to get it one way or the other. We're going to get it," Trump said, as reported by Politico. "We strongly support your right to determine your own future. And if you choose, we welcome you into the United States of America."
Trump on Ukraine
Trump asserted that "lots of good things are happening" regarding the war in Ukraine.
“Millions of Ukrainians and Russians have been needlessly killed or wounded in this horrific and brutal conflict, with no end in sight,” Trump said, according to CNN. “The United States has sent hundreds of billions of dollars to support Ukraine’s defense, with no security, with no anything.”
He said that he'd received a letter from Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, which stated that his country was "ready to work under President Trump’s strong leadership to get a peace that lasts.”
“We do really value how much America has done to help Ukraine maintain its sovereignty and independence. Regarding the agreement on minerals and security, Ukraine is ready to sign it at any time that is convenient for you,” Zelensky wrote, according to Trump.
Trump added that his administration has simultaneously had "serious discussions with Russia and have received strong signals that they are ready for peace," CNN reported.
"It's time to stop this madness. It's time to stop the killing," he asserted.
Trump claimed earlier in his speech that Putin decided to invade Ukraine because of the Biden administration's controversial pullout in Afghanistan.
“When Putin saw what happened, I guess he said, ‘Well, maybe this is my chance.’ That’s how bad it was. [It] should have never happened. Grossly incompetent people,” Trump said.
Marc Fogel, the American who was recently released by Russian authorities in a prisoner swap, attended the address with his mother.
Trump addresses Democrats
At the start of Trump's speech, he was met with jeers from Democratic members of Congress and cheers of "USA!" from Republicans.
After the second interruption, Speaker of the House Mike Johnson directed a sergeant at arms to restore order to the session and removed Rep. Al Green (D-TX) within the first few minutes of the speech.
Trump then turned to address the Democratic members of Congress.
“This is my fifth such speech to Congress, and once again, I look at the Democrats in front of me, and I realize there is absolutely nothing I can say to make them happy or to make them stand or smile or applaud," he said.
“Nothing I can do,” the president added, as reported by CNN. “I could find a cure to the most devastating disease — a disease that would wipe out entire nations or announce the answers to the greatest economy in history — or the stoppage of crime to the lowest levels ever recorded. And these people sitting right here will not clap, will not stand, and certainly will not cheer for these astronomical achievements.”
Later in the speech, several Democratic members of Congress, including Reps. Melanie Stansbury (D – NM) and Jasmine Crockett (D – TX) walked out in protest wearing t-shirts that said "resist" on them.
According to CNN, House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries urged Democrats not to bring any props to the address in order to avoid creating a spectacle that the opposite side of the aisle could seize as attack material.
Politico reported that for every standing ovation Trump received from the Republican side of the chamber during his speech, a Democrat walked out.