President Trump delivered a sweeping congressional address declaring “America will be woke no longer,” taking firm stances on gender identity, immigration, and announcing potential breakthroughs in the Russia-Ukraine conflict.
Key Takeaways
- Trump signed executive orders establishing official federal recognition of only two genders and banning gender-confused individuals from women’s sports
- He announced the dismantling of DEI policies across the federal government and declared an end to “woke” ideology in America
- Trump claimed his national emergency declaration led to “the lowest illegal border crossings ever recorded” and proposed the largest deportation operation in U.S. history
- On foreign policy, Trump revealed receiving signals from Russia about peace readiness and read a note from Ukrainian President Zelensky regarding a potential peace deal
- Trump concluded his speech by referencing a failed assassination attempt, attributing his survival to divine intervention
Trump’s Bold Stance on Gender and DEI
In one of the most significant moments of his address, President Trump highlighted his executive order on gender policy. “I signed an order making it the official policy of the United States government that there are only two genders, male and female,” Trump declared to thunderous applause from Republican lawmakers. The president further emphasized his administration’s commitment to protecting women’s sports from biological males and criticized the previous administration’s approach to gender issues in schools and federal institutions.
Trump didn’t stop at gender policies. He proclaimed an end to diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) frameworks throughout the federal government. “We’ve ended the tyranny of so-called diversity, equity, and inclusion policies all across the entire federal government. Our country will be woke no longer!” the president stated emphatically. He praised the Department of Government Efficiency, led by Elon Musk, for identifying and cutting what he termed wasteful spending on pro-LGBT initiatives overseas and other DEI-related programs.
Border Security and Immigration Reform
President Trump devoted considerable time to immigration policy, touting what he characterized as significant achievements in border security. He claimed that his national emergency declaration and military deployment had produced immediate results. “Within hours of taking the oath of office, I declared a national emergency on our southern border, and I deployed the U.S. military and border patrol to repel the invasion of our country, and what a job they’ve done. As a result, illegal border crossings last month were by far the lowest ever recorded ever. They heard my words and they chose not to come,” Trump stated.
“In comparison, under Joe Biden, the worst president in American history, there were hundreds of thousands of illegal crossings a month, and virtually all of them, including murderers, drug dealers, gang members and people from mental institutions and insane asylums were released into our country. Who would want to do that?” – TRUMP
The president also unveiled several new immigration initiatives, including a controversial “gold card” program allowing wealthy immigrants to purchase a path to citizenship. Additionally, he highlighted the Laken Riley Act, which mandates the detention of dangerous criminal aliens. Trump proposed what he called “the largest deportation operation in American history,” drawing comparisons to President Eisenhower’s “Operation Wetback” from the 1950s. This announcement drew visible reactions from both sides of the aisle.
Foreign Policy and Developments on Ukraine
In a surprising revelation during his address, President Trump shared information about potential diplomatic breakthroughs regarding the Russia-Ukraine conflict. Trump stated that he had received signals from Russia indicating readiness for peace negotiations. In a dramatic moment, he read what he described as a note from Ukrainian President Zelensky discussing possibilities for a peace deal. These statements represent the first public indication of potential movement toward resolution of the conflict since Trump’s return to office.
“America must stop telling children the ‘lie’ that they are trapped in the wrong body. Our message to every child in America is that you are perfect exactly the way God made you.” – President Donald Trump
The president also discussed his administration’s interest in strategic assets like the Panama Canal and Greenland, suggesting they represent important geopolitical priorities. Trump criticized previous U.S. financial support for Ukraine, while simultaneously expressing determination to bring the conflict to a peaceful resolution. The address revealed a foreign policy approach that balances America-first principles with continued engagement in strategic international concerns.
Personal Note and Chamber Incidents
President Trump concluded his address on a personal note, referencing the assassination attempt against him during the campaign. “I was saved by God to make America great again,” Trump stated solemnly, attributing his survival to divine intervention and reaffirming his sense of purpose. The moment represented a rare display of vulnerability from the typically confident president and drew a standing ovation from Republican lawmakers.
The joint session was not without controversy. Texas Congressman Al Green was escorted from the chamber following what observers described as a protest against Trump’s remarks. Additionally, several female Democratic lawmakers attended wearing pink outfits, which they characterized as a protest against Trump’s policies affecting women. These incidents highlighted the deep political divisions that persist despite Trump’s calls for unity in certain portions of his address.
Sources:
- Read NPR’s annotated fact check of President Trump’s address to Congress
- ‘Woke no longer!’ Trump touts victories over DEI in address to Congress
