Trump’s State of the Union address beat the previous record held by president Bill Clinton. His speech lasted nearly 20 minutes longer (one hour and 47 minutes) than Clinton. This annual address is delivered by the president in front of members of the U.S. Congress, the cabinet and the Supreme Court justices including the president’s family, and other notable guests.
During the address, Trump said he had devised an alternative legal justification for maintaining tariffs. However, the Supreme Court has declared the tariffs illegal. Trump also addressed immigration, crime, and the culture war. He also emphasized border security and controlling criminal activity. Experts, however, say data do not support claims that people in the country without legal status commit higher levels of crime.
Trump repeated a warning to Iran regarding its nuclear program and urged Congress to pass the Stop Insider Trading Act, the Delilah Law, restore funding for the Department of Homeland Security, and the SAVE America Act.
The State of the Union has increasingly become a platform for protest. During this session Representative Al Green from Texas held a sign stating, “Black people are not apes,”. This was an answer to a Trump social media post. It cited a video clip showing former President Barack Obama and former First Lady Michelle Obama as apes.
Trump wrapped up his talk with expressions of patriotism, including the men’s national hockey team chanting “U-S-A, U-S-A!”. Besides, he announced that he would celebrate the 250th anniversary of the United States this year.
