President Donald Trump delivered his State of the Union address on Tuesday night, declaring the nation “bigger, better, richer and stronger than ever before” in a historic 108-minute speech to a joint session of Congress. The address, which set a new record for the longest State of the Union, covered topics ranging from immigration and the economy to foreign policy and the upcoming 250th anniversary of American independence.
Trump’s speech in Washington took place amid a partial government shutdown of the Department of Homeland Security, now in its 11th day, and just days after the Supreme Court invalidated his sweeping tariff plans. The president alternated between celebrating policy achievements and sharply criticizing congressional Democrats, who remained largely silent while Republican lawmakers cheered enthusiastically throughout the evening.
Immigration Enforcement Dominates State of the Union Rhetoric
The president used significant portions of his address to defend his administration’s immigration crackdown. According to Trump, “zero illegal aliens have been admitted to the United States” over the past nine months through the border, though he did not provide supporting data for this claim.
Trump escalated tensions with Democrats when he asked attendees to stand if they believed “the first duty of the American government is to protect American citizens, not illegal aliens.” When Democrats remained seated, the president directly rebuked them, stating “You should be ashamed of yourselves for not standing up.”
The confrontation drew a visible response from Rep. Ilhan Omar of Minnesota, who was captured on camera pointing her finger at Trump and appearing to say “You should be ashamed” in return. Trump went on to call for ending sanctuary cities and imposing penalties on officials who block the removal of criminal aliens.
Economic Claims and Blame Shifting
Trump devoted considerable time to touting economic achievements while placing blame for affordability concerns squarely on Democrats. He accused former President Joe Biden of causing inflation and called Democratic criticism about affordability a “dirty, rotten lie.”
The president cited specific economic indicators, claiming inflation had fallen to 1.7% in the last quarter of 2025, its lowest level in more than five years. Additionally, he noted that gas prices had dropped below $2 per gallon in some areas and took credit for declining mortgage rates and rising stock values.
However, Trump did not address how recent Supreme Court decisions on his tariff policies might impact future economic conditions. Economists have previously warned that widespread tariffs could contribute to higher consumer prices.
Measured Response to Supreme Court Tariff Setback
In a notably restrained tone compared to his initial reaction, Trump addressed Friday’s Supreme Court ruling that struck down his use of the International Emergency Economic Powers Act to impose broad tariffs. He described the decision as “very unfortunate” but avoided the harsh criticism he had leveled at justices in a news conference immediately following the ruling.
Four Supreme Court justices attended the State of the Union, including Chief Justice John Roberts, who authored the opinion against Trump’s tariff authority. Despite the setback, the president insisted that “congressional action will not be necessary” to implement his planned 15% global tariff on top of existing import duties.
The administration has indicated it will use alternative legal authorities to impose tariffs, though one statute being considered includes a 150-day time limit unless Congress extends it. The disconnect between Trump’s assertion and the statutory language remains unresolved.
Tech Industry Power Demands and Iran Negotiations
Trump announced what he called a “unique strategy” requiring major technology companies to build their own power infrastructure to address concerns about data center electricity consumption. The president said companies would have “the obligation to provide for their own power needs” through constructing power plants as part of their facilities.
Meanwhile, on foreign policy, Trump confirmed ongoing negotiations with Iran but noted the country has yet to say they “will never have a nuclear weapon.” While stating his preference for diplomacy, he made clear that allowing Iran to obtain nuclear weapons was not an option, saying “Can’t let that happen.”
Government Shutdown and Election Reform
The president blamed Democrats for the ongoing partial shutdown of the Department of Homeland Security, which oversees FEMA. He demanded “full and immediate restoration of all funding” for the agency, particularly as the Northeast faced blizzard conditions requiring federal disaster assistance.
Trump also renewed his unsubstantiated claims about election fraud, asserting without evidence that “cheating is rampant” in U.S. elections. He pressed Congress to pass the SAVE America Act, which would require proof of citizenship and photo identification to vote while restricting mail-in voting.
The path forward on funding the Department of Homeland Security remains uncertain, as Senate Democrats continue to block Republican legislation. No signs of compromise have emerged since the shutdown began 10 days ago, and both parties appear entrenched in their positions on immigration enforcement reforms.
