Trump airs grievances, charts MAGA plan in address before bitterly divided Congress

Sen. Elissa Slotkin delivered the Democratic response to Trump's address.

Last Updated: March 5, 2025, 12:09 AM EST

President Donald Trump addressed a joint session of Congress on Tuesday night, six weeks into his historic return to the White House.

During the speech, Trump said "America is back" and defended the tariffs on key U.S. trading partners. He touched on immigration and the mineral deal with Ukraine, but neglected to go into detail on his economic plan. The speech was also met with protests and disruptions from Democrats.

Mar 04, 2025, 9:59 PM EST

Trump pressures Congress to extend his tax cuts

Trump called on Congress to make his 2017 tax cuts permanent. "I'm sure you're going to vote for those tax cuts, because otherwise I don't believe the people will ever vote you in to office," he told members.

Trump called on Congress to make his 2017 tax cuts permanent. "I'm sure you're going to vote for those tax cuts, because otherwise I don't believe the people will ever vote you in to office," he said.
1:48
Trump pressures Congress to extend his tax cutsTrump called on Congress to make his 2017 tax cuts permanent. "I'm sure you're going to vote for those tax cuts, because otherwise I don't believe the people will ever vote you in to office," he said.
ABCNews.com

Mar 04, 2025, 9:57 PM EST

'Bureaucracy has crushed our freedoms': Trump

Trump again talked about government inefficiency and waste and claimed that "bureaucracy has crushed our freedoms."

"My administration will reclaim power from this unaccountable bureaucracy, and we will restore true democracy to America again," he said. "And any federal bureaucrat who resists this change will be removed from office immediately."

Mar 04, 2025, 9:55 PM EST

Trump claims 'gold card' for immigrants will be ready soon

Trump touted his "gold card" immigration plan, which would give citizenship status to foreign applicants who pay $5 million.

He claimed it will be available "soon."

"These people will have to pay tax in our country," he said.

Mar 04, 2025, 9:54 PM EST

There are two audiences tonight

I'm sitting in the House chamber right above Trump, and the split screen in front of me is remarkable. On the Republican side, the audience is sitting in rapt attention, laughing at Trump's jokes and encouraging him with applause. The energy on the Democratic side, meanwhile, is cold and often actively hostile, with several half-shouted cries of protest.

President Donald Trump speaks during an address to a joint session of Congress in the House Chamber of the US Capitol in Washington, DC, on March 4, 2025.
Saul Loeb/AFP via Getty Images

—Nathaniel Rakich, 538