Trump Set to Address Congress for the First Time in Five Years

WASHINGTON—When President Donald Trump delivers a joint session address to Congress on Tuesday, he is set to present his policy agenda concentrating on three urgent issues: the Ukraine war, tariffs, and the possibility of a government shutdown.

This address marks Trump’s first appearance before Congress since his 2020 State of the Union speech, which occurred just before the pandemic significantly altered his administration’s focus. Notably, this will be the first time in history that a president has delivered a post-inaugural address to Congress after a five-year interval.

The president’s address is scheduled to begin at 9 p.m. EST.

The context surrounding his address is vastly different from his last, when he was entangled in impeachment proceedings. During the 2020 State of the Union, then-House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) was notably seen tearing her copy of his speech in half at its conclusion.

Following Republicans’ capture of both chambers of Congress in the 2024 election, the party now possesses a trifecta in federal governance. House Speaker Rep. Mike Johnson (R-La.) will be seated alongside Vice President JD Vance behind Trump, creating a tone significantly more favorable to the president’s agenda.

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A temporary, seven-foot steel security fence—designed to be non-scalable—has been erected to encircle the grounds in anticipation of potential protests intended to disrupt the proceedings.

The overarching theme of the address will be “Renewal of the American Dream,” according to a White House source.

The speech is slated to consist of four primary sections: his accomplishments since taking office, his measures to tackle inflation, the urgency for enhanced border security funding, and his vision for global peace.

Ukraine War, Funding Crisis, and New Tariffs

Trump is confronted with a trio of significant challenges.

His address to Congress comes after a tense White House meeting on Feb. 28 with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, which resulted in the failure of a minerals deal between the U.S. and Ukraine. During his speech, Trump is expected to outline his plans for ending the conflict in Ukraine.

“It takes two to tango, and negotiations will need to happen between Russia and Ukraine,” Trump stated at the White House on March 3. “Everyone must convene in a room, and a quick deal can be reached.”

After his statements, the Trump administration announced a pause in aid to Ukraine.

“The president has made it clear that our aim is peace. Our partners must also commit to that goal,” a White House official remarked. “We are pausing and reviewing our aid to ascertain that it effectively contributes to a resolution.”

Trump additionally faces a domestic crisis as government funding is due to expire in 10 days unless a budget agreement is reached.

The government has been operating under a continuing resolution (CR) since December 2024, and Trump has recently called on Congress to enact a temporary funding bill to maintain operations for the remainder of the 2025 fiscal year.

“We are collaborating diligently with both the House and Senate to pass a clean, temporary funding bill (CR) until the end of September. Let’s make it happen!” Trump remarked in a Truth Social post on Feb. 27.

However, Democratic votes will be essential to avert a government shutdown on March 14, as Republicans command 53 Senate seats and require at least seven Democratic senators to support the funding, a task that could prove daunting.

Democrats are keen to include provisions in the funding bill ensuring that allocated funds cannot be withheld, which is a response to Elon Musk’s efforts to curtail government spending.

The president recently doubled the 10 percent tariff on Chinese imports as of March 3.

Trump disclosed his plans last week, highlighting that fentanyl, supplied by China, continues to infiltrate the United States through both borders at “unacceptable levels.”

During his speech, he is expected to advocate for high tariffs, referring to the concept as “the most beautiful word,” a phrase he has frequently employed in recent addresses.

He is also likely to discuss his intentions to implement reciprocal tariffs on all countries starting April 2.

Numerous Democrats have expressed concerns that the proposed tariffs will exacerbate inflation, placing further strain on household finances.

Trump to Promote Achievements

The president is also likely to highlight his accomplishments following an eventful first six weeks of his second term, which have included the signing of 75 executive orders as of March 3.

Having prioritized border security during his campaign, Trump signed 10 executive orders focused on curbing illegal immigration and directing federal law enforcement to immediately begin rounding up and deporting criminal illegal aliens, initially emphasizing those with violent records.

According to Border Patrol Chief Mike Banks, since the implementation of this policy, illegal border crossings have dramatically fallen by 94 percent.

In his address, the president will urge Congress to allocate further funding for border security, which includes financing for deportations and the ongoing construction of the southern border wall, according to the White House.

Trump has drawn significant attention for establishing the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), which is overseen by special government employee Elon Musk, aiming to eliminate what the president has labeled as unnecessary expenditures.

While some critics condemn Musk as an “unelected bureaucrat” and question his involvement, the president has consistently defended the tech entrepreneur. During his address, Trump is expected to continue championing DOGE’s initiatives and Musk’s leadership.

Focused on controlling inflation and lowering costs to ease financial pressures on American families after four years of rapidly escalating consumer prices, Trump will likely outline his strategies for reducing inflation, revitalizing U.S. manufacturing, and stimulating economic growth.

Another key focus for the president is the potential extension and possibly expansion of the 2017 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, set to expire at the end of this year. He has also suggested eliminating taxes on tips and Social Security benefits.

While the president aims for the passage of legislation that supports his agenda, Republicans maintain a narrow three-seat majority in the House, with Democrats firmly opposing many of his initiatives.

Across the nation, Democratic attorneys general are contesting Trump’s executive orders, with at least 80 lawsuits filed challenging his decision to end birthright citizenship, among other measures.