WASHINGTON — President Donald Trump used his State of the Union address Tuesday to lambaste Democrats and the Biden administration, while pitching the Republican Party to voters ahead of this year’s crucial midterm elections.
“Tonight, after just one year, I can say with dignity and pride that we have achieved a transformation like no one has ever seen before,” Trump said. “A turnaround for the ages. It is indeed a turnaround for the ages.”
Trump applauded Republicans for approving the party’s signature tax and spending cuts package, which he signed in July.
The president spoke to a nearly filled House chamber, though Democrats mostly stood or sat quietly as Republicans cheered Trump and gave him several standing ovations throughout the speech.
The U.S. men’s Olympic hockey team, however, was able to unite Republicans and Democrats when they appeared in the gallery overlooking the chamber, wearing their gold medals.
Members of both political parties gave the group a standing ovation and chanted “USA, USA, USA!” before the group left after a few minutes. They had met with Trump at the White House earlier in the day.
Texas Democratic Rep. Al Green held up a sign at the beginning of Trump’s remarks that read “Black People Aren’t Apes!” in reference to a video Trump shared on social media that depicted former President Barack Obama and first lady Michelle Obama as primates.
A Sergeant at Arms employee escorted Green from the chamber a few minutes later as Republicans again chanted “USA!” Green last year also was removed from the chamber during the State of the Union.
Some Democrats opted to attend other events or skip Trump’s speech entirely, citing the president’s immigration enforcement tactics, disregard for constitutional norms and record of false and misleading claims.
Connecticut Democratic Sen. Chris Murphy, ranking member on the Homeland Security Appropriations Subcommittee, said he decided not to go because Trump has “made a mockery of the State of the Union.”
“I have no obligation to be a backdrop to a partisan speech full of lies and vitriol,” Murphy said. “I’m heartbroken that I’m not going to be there. But he’s turned his speech into a joke.”
Many of those boycotting will attend counter-programming.
“The American people already know what the state of our union is,” said Indiana Democratic Rep. André Carson. “It is marked by frustration, rising costs, and deep exhaustion. Families are stretched thin by higher prices. Communities are disturbed by fatal immigration enforcement tactics. And working people are watching the wealthiest Americans benefit while the middle class is left behind.”
Virginia Gov. Abigail Spanberger was set to give the Democratic response following Trump’s remarks, while California Sen. Alex Padilla would give the Spanish-language response.
Shauneen Miranda and Ariana Figueroa contributed to this report.
