Trump Defends Agenda In Combative Address
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Who are the key speakers in Trump's address to Congress?
Hey there, it's the NPR Politics Podcast. I'm Sarah McCammon. I cover politics. I'm Asma Khalid. I cover the White House. And I'm Susan Davis. I cover politics. It is 1147 p.m. Eastern Time on Tuesday, March 4, 2025. And earlier tonight, President Trump gave a joint address to Congress. As soon as the president arrived in the House chamber, the tone and tenor of things was noticeably different than many previous similar speeches. Republicans gave Trump a standing ovation and chanted USA as he approached the lectern. Some Democrats skipped the event altogether, and those who were there were largely silent and seated. That is, until the speech started.
What happened during the disruption in Trump's speech?
Mr. Green, take your seat. Take your seat, sir. Take your seat. Finding that members continue to engage in willful and concerted disruption of proper decorum, the chair now directs the sergeant at arms to restore order. Remove this gentleman from the chamber.
So that was early on in Trump's speech when House Speaker Mike Johnson directed the sergeant at arms to remove Congressman Al Green, a Democrat from Texas, from the chamber for interrupting Trump after Trump said he and Republicans had won a mandate to govern. This was quite a moment, wasn't it?
Yeah, look, I don't think that interruptions of the president during a speech like this, a State of the Union or a joint address, are that atypical anymore. I think going back to Barack Obama's presidency where Congressman Joe Wilson of South Carolina very famously shouted, you lie at him. And that was a moment that was seen as sort of breaking with historical decorum. But I got to say, ever since then, it's almost been a bit of a feature of these events to have some element of the minority party, for lack of a better word, heckle, where I think that Al Green took it to a new level was he refused to stop, that he interrupted the proceedings and actually led to the sergeant at arms, which is sort of the law enforcement body of the House of Representatives, to remove a congressman.
I can't say that's never happened before, but in my recollection, at least of the modern era, I can't recall any instance of that are happening. Sometimes there's been protesters up in the galleys that have been taken out by security. But for a member of Congress to disrupt was a bit of a surprise. I would also note that Al Green is someone who has been a very loud Trump critic since his first term. He was one of the first lawmakers to introduce articles of impeachment against Trump in his first term. So it didn't necessarily surprise me that he was the type of lawmaker leading that kind of charge.
How did Democrats respond to Trump's address?
It also struck me that Democrats are really struggling in this moment with just how to articulate a response to President Trump. After he was escorted out of the chamber, he made a stop at the White House traveling press hold. And we got a pool note saying that he was explicitly yelling no mandate because he was referring to the no mandates to cut Medicaid. And he said it's worth letting people know that there were some folks willing to stand up for that issue. Again, it's pointing to the fact that, you know, Democrats in the chamber, outside the We're all trying to figure out the best way to show opposition in this moment. I don't think they've come to any agreement on how to do that.
Yeah. And, you know, some of the Democrats were holding up these preprinted protest signs. They came ready with them that read Musk steals, protect veterans, save Medicaid. And then Trump responded to this big moment by speaking to Democrats directly.
So Democrats sitting before me. For just this one night, why not join us in celebrating so many incredible wins for America? For the good of our nation, let's work together and let's truly make America great again.
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Chapters
7 chapters
1
Who are the key speakers in Trump's address to Congress?
0:24–1:05
2
What happened during the disruption in Trump's speech?
1:05–3:04
3
How did Democrats respond to Trump's address?
3:04–4:13
4
What claims did Trump make during his speech?
4:13–8:53
5
How did Trump's speech address economic issues like tariffs?
8:53–13:55
6
What role does Elon Musk play in Trump's administration?
13:55–15:19
7
How did Trump emphasize immigration in his address?
15:19–22:27