President Donald J. Trump addressed Congress for the first time on Tuesday evening in a speech reminiscent of the nationalistic "America first" rhetoric of his 2016 campaign, touching upon issues ranging from Obamacare to "radical Islamic terrorism" to free trade. "A new chapter of American greatness is now beginning," said President Trump. "A new national pride is sweeping across our nation. And a new surge of optimism is placing impossible dreams firmly within our grasp. What we are witnessing today is the renewal of the American spirit.
Our allies will find that America is once again ready to lead."
Obamacare
President Trump tugged the Republican line on Obamacare, assuring the American people that his administration will aim to "repeal and replace" the Affordable Care Act. Mr.Trump deemed Obamacare as "collapsing," but did not put forth a Republican contingency plan for once the ACA is "repealed and replaced." He denounced the individual mandate found within Obamacare and received thunderous applause from Congress upon his statement that Americans should have the right to control their own healthcare, "not the plan forced on them by the government."
Infrastructure
The President mentioned rebuilding the infrastructure of the United States multiple times throughout his address to Congress, even referencing the liberal Republican President Dwight D.
Eisenhower's action on domestic infrastructure. As Noam Chomsky has stated, it was President Eisenhower who once said that any American who denounces the "New Deal" social programs of FDR does not belong within the US political spectrum. President Trump, unlike many of his fellow Republicans, believes in infrastructure reform and government programs like Medicaid and Medicare.
In agreement with Liberals
Mr.Trump rightfully touted his progress in his first 2 months as President; some of which Democratic lawmakers can get behind such as the rejection of the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP), as well as the 5-year ban he has placed upon officials within his administration on become lobbyists, and a lifelong ban for lobbying on behalf of foreign governments.
An 'America first' economy
President Trump touted the support of America's CEO's in concentrating labor and profits within the United States rather than abroad.
Immigration
On immigration, a focal point of the Trump campaign and presidency, Mr. Trump remained forceful, promising that he still intends to build a "great, great wall on our southern border" to keep out illegal immigrants from Mexico. He also promised strength against drug cartels trafficking drugs into the United States.
Foreign policy
The POTUS reaffirmed his position on NATO, stating that he will remain a strong supporter of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (which "dethroned fascism" and "defeated communism" throughout World Wars I and II and the Cold War), as long as the United States' European allies allot adequate funds to defense.
President Trump recognized Kate Spencer, widow of the late Marine Ryan Spencer, saying that Secretary of Defense Mattis assured that “Ryan was a part of a highly successful raid that generated large amounts of vital intelligence that will lead to many more victories in the future against our enemies.”
Budget
As predicted throughout the week, Donald Trump outlined his soon-to-come and first budget proposal as President. He verified his over $50 billion hike in military spending, and promised further government spending on care for veterans.
A message of unity
Before this evening's address, many pundits in the mainstream media wondered if President Trump could put forth a message of unity to Democratic lawmakers and the American people.
Mr. Trump concluded his speech with a rallying cry of pro-America populism, stating that "This is our vision. This is our mission. But we can only get there together. We are one people, with one destiny. We all bleed the same blood. We all salute the same flag. And we are all made by the same God."
