Trump to Speak at Joint Session of Congress on Tuesday—Key Details to Consider

President Donald Trump is set to address a joint session of Congress on March 4, marking his first such address in five years since returning to the White House last month.

This address comes after several weeks of swift actions from his administration, which has significantly changed the function of the executive branch, with over 100 executive actions signed within 42 days.

Topics may include the ongoing enforcement against illegal immigration, significant alterations in the United States’ international relationships, and efforts to overhaul federal agencies through mass firings and total dismantling in certain areas.

With a narrow Republican majority in both the Senate and House of Representatives, the passage of legislation to support many of the president’s pivotal campaign promises, such as additional sweeping tax cuts, will be essential.

In parallel, numerous organizations and nonprofits have launched over 100 lawsuits contesting many of Trump’s executive actions since he resumed office. Democrats in Washington have accused his administration of instigating a “constitutional crisis” by bypassing Congress while disbanding certain agencies and halting funds that lawmakers had earmarked.

The president will also address the public shortly after a tense meeting with a vital foreign ally in the Oval Office, which has left a crucial economic agreement uncertain.

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Here’s what you need to know about Trump’s inaugural joint congressional address during his second term.

What Time and How Can I Watch?

The speech is scheduled for 9 p.m. (ET) on March 4 from the House of Representatives Chamber in the U.S. Capitol Building in Washington.

Several radio stations and television networks will broadcast Trump’s address live.

What to Expect From Trump’s Speech

In a post on his social media platform, Truth Social, on the morning of March 3, Trump stated in capital letters: “Tomorrow night will be big.” He suggested that he would “tell it like it is” throughout the address.

This evening will provide Trump with an opportunity to discuss his agenda and the significant policy changes he has enacted since his second inauguration last month.

The speech also comes in the wake of a February 28 White House confrontation with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy that has cast doubt over a potential cease-fire agreement to resolve the ongoing Russia-Ukraine conflict.

While Zelenskyy has expressed his willingness to finalize an economic deal offering access to his nation’s rare earth minerals in exchange for U.S. military support, Trump’s administration has stated that the agreement is currently off the table following the tense Oval Office exchange.

During a press conference on March 3, the president indicated he would address the situation regarding the Ukraine deal during his speech on Tuesday night.

Trump is also expected to highlight his efforts to restructure the government through the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), aimed at auditing federal agencies to eliminate waste, fraud, and abuse.

DOGE has been collaborating with various agency leaders to propose significant cuts and mass layoffs within the federal bureaucracy, provoking a surge of lawsuits from an increasing number of groups, unions, and nonprofit organizations.

Trump may touch upon Elon Musk’s involvement with DOGE, as federal judges have inquired about the leadership of the advisory commission and the full scope of Musk’s role as a “special government employee” orchestrating the initiative.

The White House has clarified that Amy Gleason serves as the acting administrator of the U.S. DOGE Service, the agency overseeing DOGE.

Trump’s crackdown on illegal immigration, a central pledge of his 2024 campaign, is a likely discussion point. His administration has halted the asylum process at the southern border and refugee resettlement efforts.

Efforts to end birthright citizenship for children born in the U.S. to undocumented immigrants have faced obstacles with two federal judges blocking such measures.

Tariffs are also expected to feature prominently in Tuesday night’s speech.

One of Trump’s self-declared “favorite words,” tariff has served as a negotiation tool during both his first term and since returning to the White House, as he seeks to reshape America’s international trade relationships and bolster security at the borders with neighboring countries.

The expiration of the 25 percent tariffs on imports from Canada and Mexico coincides with the day of Trump’s address, highlighting their significance in his remarks.

Additionally, the president has pledged an extra 10 percent tariff on top of existing Chinese import tariffs, along with reciprocal tariffs for other trading partners.

While the administration frames the tariffs as efforts to revive American manufacturing and address unfairness in U.S. trade relations, critics warn of potential trade conflicts with vital allies and long-term inflationary repercussions if companies raise their prices to offset the import taxes, as seen with several, including AutoZone.

Why Isn’t It a State of the Union Address?

Although a speech to a joint session of Congress shares many similarities with a State of the Union address—both occurring in the same venue around the same time yearly—they serve different purposes and contexts.

State of the Union addresses typically occur during the second, third, and fourth years of a presidency, allowing the president to highlight accomplishments from the previous year in office.

Joint addresses present a newly inaugurated president with the chance to outline their agenda for the future.

Trump will address Congress as a second-term president, with only four years remaining to fulfill his goals.

Additionally, he is the first executive to serve two non-consecutive terms in over 130 years.

Who Is Delivering the Democrat Response?

Sen. Elissa Slotkin (D-Mich.) will provide the Democrat response to the president’s address at 10 p.m. (ET), after winning her first term alongside Trump securing a victory in Michigan by over 80,000 votes.

Slotkin’s election was a gain for the Democrats in a cycle that saw them lose their Senate majority.

Rep. Adriano Espaillat (D-N.Y.) will deliver the response in Spanish, while Rep. Lateefah Simon (D-Calif.) is set to represent progressives from the Working Families Party.

Democrats are expected to reiterate their opposition to Musk’s involvement with both DOGE and the federal government, while also challenging the Trump administration on inflation and rising prices.