President Donald Trump’s joint congressional address – the longest in history by a good 10 minutes – got off to a rowdy start Tuesday night as Texas Rep. Al Green, one of many Democrats who shouted over the opening remarks, was forcefully removed from the chamber.
“America is back,” were Trump’s first words as Republicans rose to their feet cheering and chanting “U-S-A.” But as Trump wound up from there, the half of the assembly to his right began howling as he launched into his talking points.
Speaker Mike Johnson warned the instantly rambunctious crowd that he would direct the sergeant-at-arms to remove anyone who causes further disruptions – and then he did. As House Democrat Rep. Green continued to remain standing and shouting, the Texas congressman was forcibly removed, raising his brass-tipped cane toward the dais as he was led out.
BREAKING: Speaker Mike Johnson forcibly removes House Democrat Al Green from the chamber via the Sergeant at Arms after repeated disruptions. pic.twitter.com/XryXWNliSw
— Eric Daugherty (@EricLDaugh) March 5, 2025
As Republicans stood and cheered during the president’s opening statements, Democrats remained seated. Trump noted the clear divide in the room, asking the Democrats to join him in “celebrating so many incredible wins for America.”
“These people sitting right here will not stand and certainly will not cheer for these astronomical achievements,” the president said. “They won’t do it no matter what.”
And at no point in the speech – even as he announced the appointment of a new Secret Service agent and acceptance of a West Point cadet, both of whom were in the room – did they show any adulation.
“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 nothing I can do,” Trump added. “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.”
Some Democrats in attendance had “False” paddles that they held up when the president stated something they believed was misleading. Several raised their paddles as the president claimed that people of impossible ages were collecting Social Security payments.
Trump also touted his new Department of Government Efficiency led by Elon Musk.
“Perhaps you’ve heard of it,” he teased. “[Musk] didn’t need this.”
Trump covered a broad range of topics, including:
Blamed Joe Biden for Egg Prices
“Joe Biden especially let the price of eggs get out of control — and we’re working hard to get it back down.”
Trump blamed former President Biden for the recent rise in egg prices after claiming that he inherited an “economic catastrophe.” The U.S. had the strongest economy in the world when Trump took over, with inflation easing, but it has been showing signs of strain in recent weeks since federal funding cuts and tariffs.
Drill, Baby, Drill
“We have more liquid gold under our feet than any nation on earth, by far, and now I fully authorize the most talented team ever assembled to go and get it,” Trump said. “It’s called drill baby drill.”
Immigration Update
“Illegal border crossings last month were by far the lowest ever recorded ever,” the president said. This is true. In February, officials were on track to arrest 8,500 migrants, according to preliminary data from the Department of Homeland Security.
He also established the Laken Riley Act that requires the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to detain certain undocumented immigrants, who have been arrested for burglary, theft, larceny, or shoplifting.
“The Democratic party kept saying we need new legislation to secure the border, but it turned out that all we really needed was a new president,” he added.
Tariffs
“Under the Trump administration, you will pay a tariff, and in some cases a rather large one,” the president said. “Other countries have used tariffs against us for decades, and now it’s our turn to.”
He continued to praise his unpopular tariffs — “a beautiful word, isn’t it” — on India, Mexico, and Canada. “Tariffs are about making America rich again,” he added.
DEI Rollback
Trump announced that he removed critical race theory from public schools. He also declared again that there are only two genders: male and female. Trump continued to speak about transgender athletes in women’s sports, saying “we’re not going to put up with it.”
The president also restated his proclamation that English is the official language of the United States.
Withdrawal from the World Health Organization
The president moved to withdraw the United States from the World Health Organization in the early days of his second term. The United States is required to give a year’s notice for the decision to take effect.
A New Record-Long Speech
Trump’s roughly hour-and-40-minute address was a new record before a joint session of Congress, beating Bill Clinton’s State of the Union address on January 23, 2000, at 1 hour and 28 minutes.
How to Watch Trump's Address to Congress