2020 State of the Union Special

>> THIS PROGRAM WAS MADE POSSIBLE BY VIEWERS LIKE YOU.

THANK YOU.

>> Woodruff: GOOD EVENING, AND WELCOME TO OUR PBS NEWSHOUR SPECIAL LIVE COVERAGE OF PRESIDENT TRUMP'S STATE OF THE UNION ADDRESS.

I'M JUDY WOODRUFF.

HE ADDRESSES A NATION AND A CONGRESS DEEPLY DIVIDED.

IN THE LAST MONTH ALONE, TENSIONS WITH IRAN TURNED VIOLENT, SPARKING FEARS OF WAR.

A PUBLIC HEALTH EMERGENCY IS IN EFFECT NOW AS A DEADLY VIRUS SPREADS FROM CHINA ACROSS THE GLOBE.

THERE'S BEEN CONFUSION OVER PRIMARY ELECTIONS IN IOWA.

AND, THERE'S BEEN AN IMPEACHMENT TRIAL, MEANING TONIGHT, THE PRESIDENT WILL APPEAR BEFORE SENATORS ON THE EVE OF THEIR CASTING THEIR VOTE TO ACQUIT OR REMOVE HIM FROM OFFICE.

MR. TRUMP IS EXPECTED TO TOUT HIS ECONOMIC ACCOMPLISHMENTS, INCLUDING RECENT MAJOR TRADE DEALS WITH CANADA, MEXICO AND CHINA.

WE WILL BE WATCHING TO SEE IF HIS TONE SEEMS AIMED AT CALMING AND UNIFYING THE COUNTRY, OR IF HE STRIKES MORE OF A COMBATIVE NOTE, STOKING FURTHER DIVISION.

AS WE WAIT FOR THE PRESIDENT TO ENTER THE HOUSE CHAMBER, OUR LISA DESJARDINS IS THERE AT THE CAPITOL.

AND OUR YAMICHE ALCINDOR IS AT THE WHITE HOUSE.

>> Woodruff: HERE WITH ME AT OUR THIS IS A LIVE PICTURE, NOW, OF THE HOUSE CHAMBER WITH SPEAKER NANCY PELOSI ON THE RIGHT, THE VICE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES MIKE PENCE ON THE LEFT, WAITING FOR THE SERGEANT AT ARMS.

THE HOUSE SERGEANT AT ARMS PAUL IRVING TO ANNOUNCE THAT THE PRESIDENT HAS ARRIVED.

TYPICALLY, THIS IS ALL RIGHT ON SCHEDULE.

IT HAPPENS ABOUT A MINUTE AND A.

LET'S SEE IF IT HAPPENS RIGHT NOW.

WE HAVE BEEN LOOKING AT PICTURES TO HAVE THE CHAMBER.

THIS IS THE HOUSE CHAMBER AND THE THE U.S. CAPITOL.

MEMBERS OF CONGRESS ARE ALL EXPECTED TO ATTEND.

SOME DON'T.

WE ARE TOLD TWO MEMBERS OF THE HOUSE ARE BOYCOTTING TONIGHT.

ONE OF THEM IS CONGRESSWOMAN ALEXANDRIA OCASIO CORTEZ OF NEW YORK.

BUT, IN GENERAL, MOST MEMBERS OF THE HOUSE, MOST MEMBERS, OR VAST MAJORITY MEMBERS OF THE HOUSE AND THE SENATE DO SHOW UP FOR THIS ANNUAL STATE OF THE UNION ADDRESS.

HERE WE SE THE SERGEANT AT ARMS MOVING TOWARD THE DOOR.

THE PRESIDENT'S CABINET ARRIVED, THE SUPREME COURT, MEMBERS OF THE SUPREME COURT, THE SUPREME COURT JUSTICE JOHN ROBERTS HAS COME INTO THE CHAMBER.

HE SPENT SOME OF THE LAST FEW DAYS IN THE SENATE CHAMBER.

AND HERE IS THE SERGEANT AT ARMS.

(GAVEL POUNDING) >> MADAM SPEAKER, THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES!

(CHEERS AND APPLAUSE) >> Woodruff: AND WE USUALLY SEE THE PRESIDENT COME IN.

HE'S FOLLOWED BY THE CONGRESSIONAL LEADERSHIP, OTHER THAN SPEAKER PELOSI WHO YOU SEE AT THE FRONT OF THE CHAMBER.

THAT'S THE FIRST LADY, MELANIA TRUMP, SHE JUST ARRIVED A FEW MOMENTS AGO FOLLOWING THE PRESIDENT.

YOU CAN SEE THE SENATE MAJORITY LEADER MITCH MCCONNELL.

STENY HOYER WHO IS THE NUMBER TWO DEMOCRAT, THE MAJORITY LEADER IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.

ALONG THE LINE, MEMBERS OF CONGRESS, MEMBERS OF THE SENATE APPLAUDING AND WELCOMING THE PRESIDENT.

MAINLY REPUBLICANS, BUT ALWAYS SOME DEMOCRATS, ALWAYS MEMBERS OF THE OTHER PARTY AS WELL, GREETING THE PRESIDENT AS HE ENTERS THE CHAMBER FOR THIS ANNUAL REPORT TO THE NATION, THE STATE OF THE UNION ADDRESS.

THIS IS PRESIDENT TRUMP'S THIRD STATE OF THE UNION.

WE'VE ALREADY BEEN TOLD THAT HE WILL BE SPEAKING TONIGHT ABOUT THE ECONOMY, ABOUT HOW WELL IT HAS DONE UNDER HIS LEADERSHIP.

WE ARE TOLD THE THEME IS THE GREAT AMERICAN COMEBACK.

THE PRESIDENT HIMSELF TODAY AT THE WHITE HOUSE TOLD REPORTERS THAT HIS SPEECH WILL RUN ABOUT AN HOUR AND 25 MINUTES.

WE DON'T KNOW WHETHER THAT'S GOING TO INCLUDE APPLAUSE OR NOT.

THERE'S THE PRESIDENT SPEAKING TO CHIEF JUSTICE JOHN ROBERTS, WHO AS WE KNOW HAS BEEN PRESIDING OVER THE TRIAL THIS WEEK IN THE SENATE OF THE PRESIDENT, WHERE HE'S FACED TWO ARTICLES OF IMPEACHMENT.

THE PRESIDENT THERE GREETING MARK MILLEY, THE CHAMBER OF THE JOINT CHIEFS OF STAFF, AND OTHERS AS HE MAKES HIS WAY CLOSER TO THE FRONT OF THE HOUSE CHAMBER.

AND HE'S STEPPING UP NOW ON THE DAIS, WHERE HE WILL BE GREETED BY THE MEMBERS OF CONGRESS.

STANDING IN FRONT OF THE VICE PRESIDENT AND IN FRONT TO HAVE THE SPEAKER OF THE -- AND IN FRONT OF THE SPEAKER OF THE HOUSE, THE TWO OF WHOM WE'VE TOLD HAVE NOT SPOKE TON ONE ANOTHER IN THE LAST TWO WEEKS, SO WE WILL SEE IF THERE IS CONVERSATION TONIGHT.

THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES.

(CHEERS AND APPLAUSE) >> Woodruff: REPUBLICANS IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES GIVING THE PRESIDENT A HARDY WELCOME.

EVERY SINGLE ONE OF THEM VOTED AGAINST THE ARTICLES OF IMPEACHMENT IN THE HOUSE THAT WENT ON TO THE SENATE WITH TWO DISSENTING VOTES FROM DEMOCRATS.

THE VOTES IN THE HOUSE, ALL DEMOCRATS EXCEPT TWO VOTED FOR IMPEACHMENT.

EVERY SINGLE REPUBLICAN IN THE HOUSE VOTED AGAINST.

AND TOMORROW, WE'LL SEE THE SENATE VOTE.

HERE'S THE PRESIDENT.

>> MEMBERS OF CONGRESS, THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES.

(CHEERS AND APPLAUSE) (CHANTING FOUR MORE YEARS) >> THANK YOU VERY MUCH.

THANK YOU VERY MUCH.

MADAM SPEAKER, MR. VICE PRESIDENT, MEMBERS OF CONGRESS, THE FIRST LADY OF THE UNITED STATES.

(CHEERS AND APPLAUSE) AND MY FELLOW CITIZENS.

THREE YEARS AGO, WE LAUNCHED THE GREAT AMERICAN COMEBACK.

TONIGHT, I STAND BEFORE YOU TO SHARE THE INCREDIBLE RESULTS.

JOBS ARE BOOMING, INCOMES ARE SOARING, POVERTY IS PLUMMETING, CRIME IS FALLING, CONFIDENCE IS SURGING, AND OUR COUNTRY IS THRIVING AND HIGHLY RESPECTED AGAIN.

(CHEERS AND APPLAUSE) AMERICA'S ENEMIES ARE ON THE RUN, AMERICA'S FORTUNES ARE ON THE RISE, AND AMERICA'S FUTURE IS BLAZING BRIGHT.

THE YEARS OF ECONOMIC DECAY ARE OVER.

(CHEERS AND APPLAUSE) THE DAYS OF OUR COUNTRY BEING USED, TAKEN ADVANTAGE OF AND EVEN SCORNED BY OTHER NATIONS ARE LONG BEHIND US.

(CHEERS AND APPLAUSE) GONE, TOO, ARE THE BROKEN PROMISES, JOBLESS RECOVERIES, TIRED PLATITUDES AND CONSTANT EXCUSES FOR THE DEPLETION OF AMERICAN WEALTH, POWER AND PRESTIGE.

IN JUST THREE SHORT YEARS, WE HAVE SHATTERED THE MENTALITY OF AMERICAN DECLINE, AND WE HAVE REJECTED THE DOWNSIZING OF AMERICANS' DESTINY.

WE HAVE TOTALLY REJECTED THE DOWNSIZING.

WE ARE MOVING FORWARD AT A PACE THAT WAS UNIMAGINABLE JUST A SHORT TIME AGO, AND WE ARE NEVER EVER GOING BACK.

(CHEERS AND APPLAUSE) I AM THRILLED TO REPORT TO YOU TONIGHT THAT OUR ECONOMY IS THE BEST IT HAS EVER BEEN, OUR MILITARY IS COMPLETELY REBUILT WITH ITS POWER BEING UNMATCHED ANYWHERE IN THE WORLD, AND IT'S NOT EVEN CLOSE.

OUR BORDERS ARE SECURE, OUR FAMILIES ARE FLOURISHING, OUR VALUES ARE RENEWED, OUR PRIDE IS RESTORED, AND FOR ALL OF THESE REASONS, I SAY TO THE PEOPLE OF OUR GREAT COUNTRY AND TO THE MEMBERS OF CONGRESS, THE STATE OF OUR UNION IS STRONGER THAN EVER BEFORE.

(CHEERS AND APPLAUSE) THE VISION I WILL LAY OUT THIS EVENING DEMONSTRATES HOW WE ARE BUILDING THE WORLD'S MOST PROSPEROUS AND INCLUSIVE SOCIETY, ONE WHERE EVERY CITIZEN CAN JOIN IN AMERICA'S UNPARALLELED SUCCESS, AND WHERE EVERY COMMUNITY CAN TAKE PART IN AMERICA'S EXTRAORDINARY RISE.

FROM THE INSTANT I TOOK OFFICE, I MOVED RAPIDLY TO REVIVE THE U.S. ECONOMY, SLASHING A RECORD NUMBER OF JOB-KILLING REGULATIONS, ENACTING HISTORIC AND RECORD-SETTING TAX CUTS, AND FIGHTING FOR FAIR AND RECIPROCAL TRADE AGREEMENTS.

(CHEERS AND APPLAUSE) OUR AGENDA IS RELENTLESSLY PRO-WORKER, PRO-FAMILY, PRO-GROWTH, AND, MOST OF ALL, PRO-AMERICAN.

(CHEERS AND APPLAUSE) WE ARE ADVANCING WITH UNBRIDLED OPTIMISM AND LIFTING OUR CITIZENS OF EVERY RACE, COLOR, RELIGION AND CREED VERY, VERY HIGH.

SINCE MY ELECTION, WE HAVE CREATED 7 MILLION NEW JOBS, 5 MILLION MORE THAN GOVERNMENT EXPERTS PROJECTED DURING THE PREVIOUS ADMINISTRATION.

(CHEERS AND APPLAUSE) THE UNEMPLOYMENT RATE IS THE LOWEST IN OVER HALF A CENTURY.

(CHEERS AND APPLAUSE) AND VERY INCREDIBLY, THE AVERAGE UNEMPLOYMENT RATE UNDER MY ADMINISTRATION IS LOWER THAN ANY ADMINISTRATION IN THE HISTORY OF OUR COUNTRY.

(APPLAUSE) IF WE HADN'T REVERSED THE FAILED ECONOMIC POLICIES OF THE PREVIOUS ADMINISTRATION, THE WORLD WOULD NOT NOW BE WITNESSING THIS GREAT ECONOMIC SUCCESS.

(APPLAUSE) THE UNEMPLOYMENT RATE FOR AFRICAN-AMERICANS, HISPANIC-AMERICANS AND ASIAN-AMERICANS HAS REACHED THE LOWEST LEVELS IN HISTORY.

(APPLAUSE) THE AFRICAN-AMERICAN YOUTH UNEMPLOYMENT HAS REACHED ON ALL-TIME LOW.

(APPLAUSE) AFRICAN-AMERICAN POVERTY HAS DECLINED TO THE LOWEST RATE EVER RECORDED.

(APPLAUSE) THE UNEMPLOYMENT RATE FOR WOMEN REACHED THE LOWEST LEVEL IN ALMOST 70 YEARS, AND LAST YEAR WOMEN FAILED 72% OF ALL NEW -- FILLED 72% OF ALL NEW JOBS ADDED.

(APPLAUSE) THE VETERANS UNEMPLOYMENT RATE DROPPED TO A RECORD LOW.

(APPLAUSE) THE UNEMPLOYMENT RATE FOR DISABLED AMERICANS HAS REACHED AN ALL-TIME LOW.

(APPLAUSE) WORKERS WITHOUT A HIGH SCHOOL DIPLOMA HAVE ACHIEVED THE LOWEST UNEMPLOYMENT RATE RECORDED IN U.S. HISTORY.

(APPLAUSE) A RECORD NUMBER OF YOUNG AMERICANS ARE NOW EMPLOYED.

(APPLAUSE) UNDER THE LAST ADMINISTRATION, MORE THAN 10 MILLION PEOPLE WERE ADDED TO THE FOOD STAMP ROLLS.

UNDER MY ADMINISTRATION, 7 MILLION AMERICANS HAVE COME OFF FOOD STAMPS, AND 10 MILLION PEOPLE HAVE BEEN LIFTED OFF OF WELFARE.

(APPLAUSE) IN EIGHT YEARS UNDER THE LAST ADMINISTRATION, OVER 300,000 WORKING-AGE PEOPLE DROPPED OUT OF THE WORKFORCE.

IN JUST THREE YEARS OF MY ADMINISTRATION, 3.5 MILLION PEOPLE, WORKING-AGE PEOPLE, HAVE JOINED THE WORKFORCE.

(APPLAUSE) SINCE MY ELECTION, THE NET WORTH OF THE BOTTOM HALF OF WAGE INNERS HAS INCREASED BY 47%, THREE TIMES FASTER THAN THE INCREASE FOR THE TOP 1%.

(APPLAUSE) AFTER DECADES OF FLAT AND FALLING INCOMES, WAGES ARE RISING FAST AND WONDERFULLY, THEY ARE RISING FASTEST FOR LOW-INCOME WORKERS WHO HAVE SEEN A 16% PAY INCREASE SINCE MY ELECTION.

(APPLAUSE) THIS IS A BLUE-COLLAR BOOM.

(CHEERS AND APPLAUSE) REAL MEDIAN HOUSEHOLD INCOME IS NOW AT THE HIGHEST LEVEL EVER RECORDED.

(APPLAUSE) SINCE MY ELECTION, U.S. STOCK MARKETS HAVE SOARED 70%, ADDING MORE THAN $12 TRILLION TO OUR NATION'S WEALTH, TRANSCENDING ANYTHING ANYONE BELIEVED WAS POSSIBLE.

THIS IS A RECORD.

IT IS SOMETHING THAT EVERY COUNTRY IN THE WORLD IS LOOKING UP TO, THEY ADMIRE.

(APPLAUSE) CONSUMER CONFIDENCE HAS JUST REACHED AMAZING NEW HIGHS.

ALL OF THOSE MILLIONS OF PEOPLE WITH 401Ks AND PENSIONS ARE DOING FAR BETTER THAN THAT HAVE EVER DONE BEFORE WITH INCREASES OF 60, 70, 80, 90 AND 100% AND EVEN MORE.

JOBS AND INVESTMENTS ARE POURING IN TO 9,000 PREVIOUSLY NEGLIGENTED NEIGHBORHOODS, THANKS TO OPPORTUNITY ZONES, A PLAN SPEARHEADED BY SENATOR TIM SCOTT AS PART OF OUR GREAT REPUBLICAN TAX CUT.

(CHEERS AND APPLAUSE) IN OTHER WORDS, WEALTHY PEOPLE AND COMPANIES ARE POURING MONEY INTO POOR NEIGHBORHOODS AND AREAS THAT HAVEN'T SEEN INVESTMENTS IN DECADES, CREATING JOBS, ENERGY AND EXCITEMENT.

(APPLAUSE) THIS IS THE FIRST TIME THAT THESE DESERVING COMMUNITIES HAVE SEEN ANYTHING LIKE THIS.

IT'S ALL WORKING.

OPPORTUNITY ZONES ARE HELPING AMERICANS, LIKE ARMY VETERAN TONY RANKENS FROM CINCINNATI, OHIO.

AFTER STRUGGLING WITH DRUG ADDICTION, TONY LOST HIS JOB, HIS HOUSE AND HIS FAMILY.

HE WAS HOMELESS.

BUT THEN TONY FOUND A CONSTRUCTION COMPANY THAT INVESTS IN OPPORTUNITY ZONES.

HE IS NOW A TOP TRADESMAN, DRUG-FREE, REUNITED WITH HIS FAMILY, AND HE IS HERE TONIGHT.

TONY, KEEP UP THE GREAT WORK.

TONY.

(APPLAUSE) >> THANK YOU, TONY.

OUR ROARING ECONOMY HAS, FOR THE FIRST TIME EVER, GIVEN MANY FORMER PRISONERS THE ABILITY TO GET A GREAT JOB AND A FRESH START.

THIS SECOND CHANCE AT LIFE IS MADE POSSIBLE BECAUSE WE PASSED LANDMARK CRIMINAL JUSTICE REFORM INTO LAW.

EVERYONE SAID CRIMINAL JUSTICE REFORM COULDN'T BE DONE, BUT I GOT IT DONE, AND THE PEOPLE IN THIS ROOM GOT IT DONE.

(APPLAUSE) THANKS TO OUR BOLD REGULATORY REDUCTION CAMPAIGN, THE UNITED STATES HAS BECOME THE NUMBER ONE PRODUCER OF OIL AND NATURAL GAS ANYWHERE IN THE WORLD, BY FAR.

(APPLAUSE) WITH THE TREMENDOUS PROGRESS WE HAVE MADE OVER THE PAST THREE YEARS, AMERICA IS NOW ENERGY INDEPENDENT AND ENERGY JOBS, LIKE SO MANY OTHER ELEMENTS OF OUR COUNTRY, ARE AT A RECORD HIGH.

(APPLAUSE) WE ARE DOING NUMBERS THAT NO ONE WOULD HAVE THOUGHT POSSIBLE JUST THREE YEARS AGO.

LIKEWISE, WE ARE RESTORING OUR NATION'S MANUFACTURING MIGHT, EVEN THOUGH PREDICTIONS WERE, AS YOU ALL KNOW, THAT THIS COULD NEVER EVER BE DONE.

AFTER LOSING 60,000 FACTORIES UNDER THE PREVIOUS TWO ADMINISTRATIONS, AMERICA HAS NOW GAINED 12,000 NEW FACTORIES UNDER MY ADMINISTRATION WITH THOUSANDS UPON THOUSANDS OF PLANTS AND FACTORIES BEING PLANNED OR BEING BUILT.

(APPLAUSE) COMPANIES ARE NOT LEAVING, THEY ARE COMING BACK TO THE U.S.A. (APPLAUSE) THE FACT IS THAT EVERYBODY WANTS TO BE WHERE THE ACTION IS, AND THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA IS, INDEED, THE PLACE WHERE THE ACTION IS.

(APPLAUSE) ONE OF THE BIGGEST PROMISES I MADE TO THE AMERICAN PEOPLE WAS TO REPLACE THE DISASTROUS NAFTA TRADE DEAL.

(CHEERS AND APPLAUSE) IN FACT, UNFAIR TRADE IS PERHAPS THE SINGLE BIGGEST REASON THAT I DECIDED TO RUN FOR PRESIDENT.

FOLLOWING NAFTA'S ADOPTION, OUR NATION LOST ONE IN FOUR MANUFACTURING JOBS.

MANY POLITICIANS CAME AND WENT, PLEDGING TO CHANGE OR REPLACE NAFTA, ONLY TO DO SO AND THEN ABSOLUTELY NOTHING HAPPENED.

BUT UNLIKE SO MANY WHO CAME BEFORE ME, I KEEP MY PROMISES -- WE DID OUR JOB.

(APPLAUSE) SIX DAYS AGO, I REPLACED NAFTA AND SIGNED A BRAND-NEW U.S.-MEXICO-CANADA AGREEMENT INTO LAW.

THE USMCA WILL CREATE NEARLY 100,000 NEW HIGH-PAYING AMERICAN AUTO JOBS AND MASSIVELY REDUCE EXPORTS FOR OUR FARMERS, RANCHERS AND FACTORY WORKERS.

IT WILL ALSO BRING TRADE WITH MEXICO AND CANADA TO A MUCH HIGHER LEVEL, BUT ALSO TO BE A MUCH GREATER DEGREE OF FAIRNESS AND RECIPROCITY, WE WILL HAVE THAT FAIRNESS AND RECIPROCITY, AND I SAY THAT FINALLY BECAUSE IT'S BEEN MANY, MANY YEARS THAT WE WERE TREATED FAIRLY ON TRADE.

(APPLAUSE) THIS IS THE FIRST MAJOR TRADE DEAL IN MANY YEARS TO EARN THE STRONG BACKING OF AMERICA'S LABOR UNIONS.

(APPLAUSE) I ALSO PROMISED OUR CITIZENS THAT I WOULD IMPOSE TARIFFS TO CONFRONT CHINA'S MASSIVE THEFT OF AMERICA'S JOBS.

OUR STRATEGY HAS WORKED.

DAYS AGO, WE SIGNED A GROUNDBREAKING NEW AGREEMENT WITH CHINA THAT WILL DEFEND OUR WORKERS, PROTECT OUR INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY, BRING BILLIONS AND BILLIONS OF DOLLARS INTO OUR TREASURY, AND OF VAST NEW MARKETS FOR PRODUCTS MADE AND GROWN RIGHT HERE IN THE U.S.A. (APPLAUSE) FOR EDECADES, CHINA HAS TAKEN ADVANTAGE OF THE UNITED STATES.

NOW WE HAVE CHANGED THAT.

BUT, AT THE SAME TIME, WE HAVE, PERHAPS, THE BEST RELATIONSHIP WE'VE EVER HAD WITH CHINA, INCLUDING WITH PRESIDENT XI.

THEY RESPECT WHAT WE'VE DONE BECAUSE, QUITE FRANKLY, THEY COULD NEVER REALLY BELIEVE THAT THEY WERE ABLE TO GET AWAY WITH WHAT THEY WERE DOING YEAR AFTER YEAR, DECADE AFTER DECADE, WITHOUT SOMEONE IN OUR COUNTRY STEPPING UP AND SAYING, THAT'S ENOUGH.

(APPLAUSE) NOW WE WANT TO REBUILD OUR COUNTRY, AND THAT'S EXACTLY WHAT WE'RE DOING.

WE ARE REBUILDING OUR COUNTRY.

AS WE RESTORE -- (APPLAUSE) -- AMERICAN LEADERSHIP THROUGHOUT THE WORLD, WE ARE ONCE AGAIN STANDING UP FOR FREEDOM IN OUR HEMISPHERE.

(APPLAUSE) THAT'S WHY MY ADMINISTRATION REVERSED THE FAILING POLICIES OF THE PREVIOUS ADMINISTRATION ON CUBA.

(APPLAUSE) WE ARE SUPPORTING THE HOPES OF CUBANS, NICARAGUANS AND VENEZUELANS TO RESTORE DEMOCRACY.

THE UNITED STATES IS LEADING A 59 DIPLOMATIC NATION COALITION AGAINST THE SOCIALIST LEADER OF VENEZUELA NICOLAS MADURO.

(APPLAUSE) MADURO IS AN ILLEGITIMATE RULER, A TYRANT WHO BRUTALIZES HIS PEOPLE, BUT MADURO'S GRIP ON TYRANNY WILL BE SMASHED AND BROKEN.

HERE THIS EVENING IS A VERY BRAVE MAN WHO CARRIES WITH HIM THE HOPES, DREAMS AND ASPIRATIONS OF ALL VENEZUELANS.

JOINING US IN THE GALLERY IS THE TRUE AND LEGITIMATE PRESIDENT OF VENEZUELA, JUAN GUAIDO.

(CHEERS AND APPLAUSE) MR. PRESIDENT, PLEASE TAKE THIS MESSAGE BACK TO YOUR COUNTRY.

(CHEERS AND APPLAUSE) THANK YOU, MR. PRESIDENT.

GREAT HONOR.

THANK YOU VERY MUCH.

PLEASE TAKE THIS MESSAGE BACK THAT ALL AMERICANS ARE UNITED WITH THE VENEZUELAN PEOPLE IN THEIR RIGHTEOUS STRUGGLE FOR FREEDOM.

THANK YOU VERY MUCH, MR. PRESIDENT.

(APPLAUSE) THANK YOU VERY MUCH.

SOCIALISM DESTROYS NATIONS, BUT ALWAYS REMEMBER, FREEDOM UNIFIES THE SOUL.

(APPLAUSE) TO SAFEGUARD AMERICAN LIBERTY, WE HAVE INVESTED A RECORD-BREAKING $2.2 TRILLION IN THE UNITED STATES MILITARY.

(APPLAUSE) WE HAVE PURCHASED THE FINEST PLANES, MISSILES, ROCKETS, SHIPS, AND EVERY OTHER FORM OF MILITARY EQUIPMENT,ER AND IT'S ALL MADE RIGHT HERE IN THE U.S.A. (APPLAUSE) WE ARE ALSO GETTING OUR ALLIES, FINALLY, TO HELP PAY THEIR FAIR SHARE.

(CHEERS AND APPLAUSE) I HAVE RAISED CONTRIBUTIONS FROM OTHER N.A.T.O.

MEMBERS BY MORE THAN $400 BILLION, AND THE NUMBER OF ALLIES MEETING THEIR MINIMUM OBLIGATIONS HAS MORE THAN DOUBLED.

AND JUST WEEKS AGO, FOR THE FIRST TIME SINCE PRESIDENT TRUMAN ESTABLISHED THE AIR FORCE, MORE THAN 70 YEARS EARLIER, WE CREATED A BRAND-NEW BRANCH OF THE UNITED STATES ARMED FORCES, IT'S CALLED THE SPACE FORCE.

(APPLAUSE) VERY IMPORTANT.

IN THE GALLERY TONIGHT, WE HAVE A YOUNG GENTLEMAN, AND WHAT HE WANTS SO BADLY, 13 YEARS OLD, IAN WANFAY, HE'S AN EIGHTH GRADER FROM ARIZONA.

PLEASE STAND UP.

IAN HAS ALWAYS DREAMED OF GOING TO SPACE.

HE WAS THE FIRST IN HIS CLASS AND AMONG THE YOUNGEST AT AN AVIATION ACADEMY.

HE ASPIRES TO GO TO THE AIR FORCE ACADEMY, AND THEN HE HAS HIS EYE ON THE SPACE FORCE.

AS IAN SAYS, MOST PEOPLE LOOK UP IN SPACE.

I WANT TO LOOK DOWN ON THE WORLD.

(APPLAUSE) BUT SITTING BEHIND IAN TONIGHT IS HIS GREATEST HERO OF THEM ALL, CHARLES McGEE, WHO WAS BORN IN CLEVELAND, OHIO, ONE CENTURY AGO.

CHARLES IS ONE OF THE LAST SURVIVING TUSKEGEE AIRMEN, THE FIRST BLACK FIGHTER PILOTS, AND HE ALSO HAPPENS TO BE IAN'S GREAT GRANDFATHER.

(CHEERS AND APPLAUSE) INCREDIBLE STORY.

AFTER MORE THAN 130 COMBAT MISSIONS IN WORLD WAR II, HE CAME BACK HOME TO A COUNTRY STILL STRUGGLING FOR CIVIL RIGHTS AND WENT ON TO SERVE AMERICA IN KOREA AND VIETNAM.

ON DECEMBER 7th, CHARLES CELEBRATED HIS 100th BIRTHDAY.

(APPLAUSE) A FEW WEEKS AGO, I SIGNED A BILL PROMOTING CHARLES McGEE TO BRIGADIER GENERAL, AND, EARLIER TODAY, I PINNED THE STARS ON HIS SHOULDERS IN THE OVAL OFFICE.

GENERAL McGEE, OUR NATION SALUTES YOU.

THANK YOU, SIR.

(CHEERS AND APPLAUSE) FROM THE PILGRIMS TO THE FOUNDERS, FROM THE SOLDIERS AT VALLEY FORGE, TO THE MARCHERS AT SELMA, AND FROM PRESIDENT LINCOLN TO THE REVEREND MARTIN LUTHER KING, AMERICANS HAVE ALWAYS REJECTED LIMITS ON OUR CHILDREN'S FUTURE.

MEMBERS OF CONGRESS, WE MUST NEVER FORGET THAT THE ONLY VICTORIES THAT MATTER IN WASHINGTON ARE VICTORIES THAT DELIVER FOR THE AMERICAN PEOPLE.

(APPLAUSE) THE PEOPLE ARE THE HEART OF OUR COUNTRY.

THEIR DREAMS ARE THE SOUL OF OUR COUNTRY, AND THEIR LOVE IS WHAT POWERS AND SUSTAINS OUR COUNTRY.

WE MUST ALWAYS REMEMBER THAT OUR JOB IS TO PUT AMERICA FIRST.

(APPLAUSE) THE NEXT STEP FORWARD IN BUILDING AN INCLUSIVE SOCIETY IS MAKING SURE THAT EVERY YOUNG AMERICAN GETS A GREAT EDUCATION AND THE OPPORTUNITY TO ACHIEVE THE AMERICAN DREAM, YET, FOR TOO LONG, COUNTLESS AMERICAN CHILDREN HAVE BEEN TRAPPED IN FAILING GOVERNMENT SCHOOLS.

TO RESCUE THESE STUDENTS, 18 STATES HAVE CREATED SCHOOL CHOICE IN THE FORM OF OPPORTUNITY SCHOLARSHIPS.

THE PROGRAMS ARE SO POPULAR THAT TENS OF THOUSANDS OF STUDENTS REMAIN ON A WAITING LIST.

ONE OF THOSE STUDENTS IS JANIAH DAVIS, A FOURTH GRADER FROM PHILADELPHIA.

JANIAH.

(APPLAUSE) JANIAH'S MOM STEPHANIE IS A SINGLE PARENT.

SHE WOULD DO ANYTHING TO GIVE HER DAUGHTER A BETTER FUTURE, BUT, LAST YEAR, THAT FUTURE WAS PUT FURTHER OUTER OF REACH WHEN PENNSYLVANIA'S GOVERNOR VETOED LEGISLATION TO EXPAND SCHOOL CHOICE TO 50,000 CHILDREN.

JANIAH AND STEPHANIE ARE IN THE GALLERY.

STEPHANIE, THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR BEING HERE WITH YOUR BEAUTIFUL DAUGHTER.

THANK YOU SO MUCH.

(APPLAUSE) BUT, JANIAH, I HAVE GOOD NEWS FOR YOU BECAUSE I AM PLEASED TO INFORM YOU YOUR LONG WAIT IS OVER.

I CAN PROUDLY ANNOUNCE TONIGHT THAT AN OPPORTUNITY SCHOLARSHIP HAS BECOME AVAILABLE, IT'S GOING TO YOU, AND YOU WILL SOON BE HEADING TO THE SCHOOL OF YOUR CHOICE.

(CHEERS AND APPLAUSE) NOW, I CALL ON THE CONGRESS TO GIVE ONE MILLION AMERICAN CHILDREN THE SAME OPPORTUNITY JANIYAH HAS JUST RECEIVED.

PASS THE EDUCATION FREEDOM SCHOLARSHIPS AND OPPORTUNITY ACT-- BECAUSE NO PARENT SHOULD BE FORCED TO SEND THEIR CHILD TO A FAILING GOVERNMENT SCHOOL.

( APPLAUSE ) EVERY YOUNG PERSON SHOULD HAVE A SAFE AND SECURE ENVIRONMENT IN WHICH TO LEARN AND GROW.

FOR THIS REASON, OUR MAGNIFICENT FIRST LADY HAS LAUNCHED THE "BE BEST" INITIATIVE-- TO ADVANCE A SAFE, HEALTHY, SUPPORTIVE, AND DRUG-FREE LIFE FOR THE NEXT GENERATION, ONLINE, IN SCHOOL, AND IN OUR COMMUNITIES.

THANK YOU, MELANIA, FOR YOUR EXTRAORDINARY LOVE AND PROFOUND CARE FOR AMERICA'S CHILDREN.

THANK YOU VERY MUCH.

(APPLAUSE) MY ADMINISTRATION IS DETERMINED TO GIVE OUR CITIZENS THE OPPORTUNITIES THEY NEED REGARDLESS OF AGE OR BACKGROUND.

THROUGH OUR PLEDGE TO AMERICAN WORKERS, OVER 400 COMPANIES WILL ALSO PROVIDE NEW JOBS AND EDUCATION OPPORTUNITIES TO ALMOST 15 MILLION AMERICANS.

MY BUDGET ALSO CONTAINS AN EXCITING VISION FOR OUR NATION'S HIGH SCHOOLS.

TONIGHT, I ASK THE CONGRESS TO SUPPORT OUR STUDENTS AND BACK MY PLAN TO OFFER VOCATIONAL AND TECHNICAL EDUCATION IN EVERY SINGLE HIGH SCHOOL IN AMERICA.

(APPLAUSE) TO EXPAND EQUAL OPPORTUNITY, I AM ALSO PROUD THAT WE ACHIEVED RECORD AND PERMANENT FUNDING FOR OUR NATION'S HISTORICALLY BLACK COLLEGES AND UNIVERSITIES.

(CHEERS AND APPLAUSE) A GOOD LIFE FOR AMERICAN FAMILIES ALSO REQUIRES THE MOST AFFORDABLE, INNOVATIVE, AND HIGH-QUALITY HEALTHCARE SYSTEM ON EARTH.

BEFORE I TOOK OFFICE, HEALTH INSURANCE PREMIUMS HAD MORE THAN DOUBLED IN JUST FIVE YEARS.

I MOVED QUICKLY TO PROVIDE AFFORDABLE ALTERNATIVES.

OUR NEW PLANS ARE UP TO 60% LESS EXPENSIVE.

AND BETTER.

(APPLAUSE) I HAVE ALSO MADE AN IRONCLAD PLEDGE TO AMERICAN FAMILIES: WE WILL ALWAYS PROTECT PATIENTS WITH PRE-EXISTING CONDITIONS- (APPLAUSE) AND WE WILL ALWAYS PROTECT YOUR MEDICARE AND YOUR SOCIAL SECURITY.

ALWAYS.

(APPLAUSE) THE AMERICAN PATIENT SHOULD NEVER BE BLINDSIDED BY MEDICAL BILLS.

THAT IS WHY I SIGNED AN EXECUTIVE ORDER REQUIRING PRICE TRANSPARENCY.

(APPLAUSE) MANY EXPERTS BELIEVE THAT TRANSPARENCY, WHICH WILL GO INTO FULL EFFECT AT THE BEGINNING OF NEXT YEAR, WILL BE EVEN BIGGER THAN HEALTHCARE REFORM.

(APPLAUSE) IT WILL SAVE FAMILIES MASSIVE AMOUNTS OF MONEY FOR SUBSTANTIALLY BETTER CARE.

BUT AS WE WORK TO IMPROVE AMERICANS' HEALTHCARE, THERE ARE THOSE WHO WANT TO TAKE AWAY YOUR HEALTHCARE, TAKE AWAY YOUR DOCTOR, AND ABOLISH PRIVATE INSURANCE ENTIRELY.

132 LAWMAKERS IN THIS ROOM HAVE ENDORSED LEGISLATION TO IMPOSE A SOCIALIST TAKEOVER OF OUR HEALTHCARE SYSTEM, WIPING OUT THE PRIVATE HEALTH INSURANCE PLANS OF 180 MILLION AMERICANS.

WHO ARE VERY HAPPY.

TO THOSE WATCHING AT HOME TONIGHT, I WANT YOU TO KNOW: WE WILL NEVER LET SOCIALISM DESTROY AMERICAN HEALTHCARE!

(CHEERS AND APPLAUSE) OVER 130 LEGISLATORS IN THIS CHAMBER HAVE ENDORSED LEGISLATION THAT WOULD BANKRUPT OUR NATION BY PROVIDING FREE TAXPAYER-FUNDED HEALTHCARE TO MILLIONS OF ILLEGAL ALIENS, FORCING TAXPAYERS TO SUBSIDIZE FREE CARE FOR ANYONE IN THE WORLD WHO UNLAWFULLY CROSSES OUR BORDERS.

THESE PROPOSALS WOULD RAID THE MEDICARE BENEFITS OUR SENIORS DEPEND ON, WHILE ACTING AS A POWERFUL LURE FOR ILLEGAL IMMIGRATION.

THIS IS WHAT IS HAPPENING IN CALIFORNIA AND OTHER STATES-- THEIR SYSTEMS ARE TOTALLY OUT OF CONTROL, COSTING TAXPAYERS VAST AND UNAFFORDABLE AMOUNTS OF MONEY.

IF FORCING AMERICAN TAXPAYERS TO PROVIDE UNLIMITED FREE HEALTHCARE TO ILLEGAL ALIENS SOUNDS FAIR TO YOU, THEN STAND WITH THE RADICAL LEFT.

BUT IF YOU BELIEVE THAT WE SHOULD DEFEND AMERICAN PATIENTS AND AMERICAN SENIORS, THEN STAND WITH ME AND PASS LEGISLATION TO PROHIBIT FREE GOVERNMENT HEALTHCARE FOR ILLEGAL ALIENS!

(CHEERS AND APPLAUSE) THIS WILL BE A TREMENDOUS BOON TO OUR ALREADY VERY-STRONGLY GUARDED SOUTHERN BORDER WHERE, AS WE SPEAK, A LONG, TALL, AND VERY POWERFUL WALL IS BEING BUILT.

(CHEERS AND APPLAUSE) WE HAVE NOW COMPLETED OVER 100 MILES AND WILL HAVE OVER 500 MILES FULLY COMPLETED BY EARLY NEXT YEAR.

WE WILL HAVE SUBSTANTIALLY MORE THAN 500 MILES COMPLETED BY EARLY NEXT YEAR.

MY ADMINISTRATION IS ALSO TAKING ON THE BIG PHARMACEUTICAL COMPANIES.

WE HAVE APPROVED A RECORD NUMBER OF AFFORDABLE GENERIC DRUGS, AND MEDICINES ARE BEING APPROVED BY THE F.D.A.

AT A FASTER CLIP THAN EVER BEFORE.

(APPLAUSE) I WAS PLEASED TO ANNOUNCE LAST YEAR THAT, FOR THE FIRST TIME IN 51 YEARS, THE COST OF PRESCRIPTION DRUGS ACTUALLY WENT DOWN.

(APPLAUSE) AND WORKING TOGETHER, THE CONGRESS CAN REDUCE DRUG PRICES SUBSTANTIALLY FROM CURRENT LEVELS.

I HAVE BEEN SPEAKING TO SENATOR CHUCK GRASSLEY OF IOWA AND OTHERS IN THE CONGRESS IN ORDER TO GET SOMETHING ON DRUG PRICING DONE, AND DONE PROPERLY.

I AM CALLING FOR BIPARTISAN LEGISLATION THAT ACHIEVES THE GOAL OF DRAMATICALLY LOWERING PRESCRIPTION DRUG PRICES.

GET A BILL ON MY DESK, AND I WILL SIGN IT INTO LAW WITHOUT DELAY.

(APPLAUSE) WITH UNYIELDING COMMITMENT, WE ARE CURBING THE OPIOID EPIDEMIC-- DRUG OVERDOSE DEATHS DECLINED FOR THE FIRST TIME IN NEARLY 30 YEARS.

(APPLAUSE) AMONG THE STATES HARDEST HIT, OHIO IS DOWN 22%, PENNSYLVANIA IS DOWN 18%, WISCONSIN IS DOWN 10%-- AND WE WILL NOT QUIT UNTIL WE HAVE BEATEN THE OPIOID EPIDEMIC ONCE AND FOR ALL.

(APPLAUSE) PROTECTING AMERICANS' HEALTH ALSO MEANS FIGHTING INFECTIOUS DISEASES.

WE ARE COORDINATING WITH THE CHINESE GOVERNMENT AND WORKING CLOSELY TOGETHER ON THE CORONAVIRUS OUTBREAK IN CHINA.

MY ADMINISTRATION WILL TAKE ALL NECESSARY STEPS TO SAFEGUARD OUR CITIZENS FROM THIS THREAT.

WE HAVE LAUNCHED AMBITIOUS NEW INITIATIVES TO SUBSTANTIALLY IMPROVE CARE FOR AMERICANS WITH KIDNEY DISEASE, ALZHEIMER'S, AND THOSE STRUGGLING WITH MENTAL HEALTH.

AND BECAUSE THE CONGRESS FUNDED MY REQUEST, WE ARE PURSUING NEW CURES FOR CHILDHOOD CANCER, AND WE WILL ERADICATE THE AIDS EPIDEMIC IN AMERICA BY THE END OF THIS DECADE.

(APPLAUSE) ALMOST EVERY AMERICAN FAMILY KNOWS THE PAIN WHEN A LOVED ONE IS DIAGNOSED WITH A SERIOUS ILLNESS.

HERE TONIGHT IS A SPECIAL MAN, BELOVED BY MILLIONS OF AMERICANS WHO JUST RECEIVED A STAGE FOUR ADVANCED CANCER DIAGNOSIS.

THIS IS NOT GOOD NEWS, BUT WHAT IS GOOD NEWS IS THAT HE IS THE GREATEST FIGHTER AND WINNER THAT YOU WILL EVER MEET.

RUSH LIMBAUGH, THANK YOU FOR YOUR DECADES OF TIRELESS DEVOTION TO OUR COUNTRY.

(CHEERS AND APPLAUSE) RUSH, IN RECOGNITION OF ALL THAT YOU HAVE DONE FOR OUR NATION, THE MILLIONS OF PEOPLE A DAY THAT YOU SPEAK TO AND INSPIRE, AND ALL OF THE INCREDIBLE WORK THAT YOU HAVE DONE FOR CHARITY, I AM PROUD TO ANNOUNCE TONIGHT THAT YOU WILL BE RECEIVING OUR COUNTRY'S HIGHEST CIVILIAN HONOR, THE PRESIDENTIAL MEDAL OF FREEDOM.

(CHEERS AND APPLAUSE) I WILL NOW ASK THE FIRST LADY OF THE UNITED STATES TO PLEASE STAND AND PRESENT YOU WITH THE HONOR.

(APPLAUSE) (CHEERS AND APPLAUSE) RUSH AND KATHRYN, CONGRATULATIONS!

AS WE PRAY FOR ALL WHO ARE SICK, WE KNOW THAT AMERICA IS CONSTANTLY ACHIEVING NEW MEDICAL BREAKTHROUGHS.

IN 2017, DOCTORS AT ST. LUKE'S HOSPITAL IN KANSAS CITY DELIVERED ONE OF THE EARLIEST PREMATURE BABIES EVER TO SURVIVE.

BORN AT JUST 21 WEEKS AND SIX DAYS, AND WEIGHING LESS THAN A POUND, ELLIE SCHNEIDER WAS BORN A FIGHTER.

THROUGH THE SKILL OF HER DOCTORS-- AND THE PRAYERS OF HER PARENTS-- LITTLE ELLIE KEPT ON WINNING THE BATTLE OF LIFE.

TODAY, ELLIE IS A STRONG, HEALTHY TWO-YEAR-OLD GIRL SITTING WITH HER AMAZING MOTHER ROBIN IN THE GALLERY.

ELLIE AND ROBIN, WE ARE SO GLAD TO HAVE YOU WITH US TONIGHT.

(CHEERS AND APPLAUSE) ELLIE REMINDS US THAT EVERY CHILD IS A MIRACLE OF LIFE.

THANKS TO MODERN MEDICAL WONDERS, 50% OF VERY PREMATURE BABIES DELIVERED AT THE HOSPITAL WHERE ELLIE WAS BORN NOW SURVIVE.

IT'S AN INCREDIBLE THING.

THANK YOU VERY MUCH.

(APPLAUSE) OUR GOAL SHOULD BE TO ENSURE THAT EVERY BABY HAS THE BEST CHANCE TO THRIVE AND GROW JUST LIKE ELLIE.

THAT IS WHY I AM ASKING THE CONGRESS TO PROVIDE AN ADDITIONAL $50 MILLION TO FUND NEO-NATAL RESEARCH FOR AMERICA'S YOUNGEST PATIENTS.

(APPLAUSE) THAT IS ALSO WHY I AM CALLING UPON THE MEMBERS OF CONGRESS HERE TONIGHT TO PASS LEGISLATION FINALLY BANNING THE LATE-TERM ABORTION OF BABIES.

(CHEERS AND APPLAUSE) WHETHER WE ARE REPUBLICAN, DEMOCRAT, OR INDEPENDENT, SURELY WE MUST ALL AGREE THAT EVERY HUMAN LIFE IS A SACRED GIFT FROM GOD!

AS WE SUPPORT AMERICA'S MOMS AND DADS, I WAS RECENTLY PROUD TO SIGN THE LAW PROVIDING NEW PARENTS IN THE FEDERAL WORKFORCE PAID FAMILY LEAVE, SERVING AS A MODEL FOR THE REST OF THE COUNTRY.

(APPLAUSE) NOW, I CALL ON THE CONGRESS TO PASS THE BIPARTISAN ADVANCING SUPPORT FOR WORKING FAMILIES ACT, EXTENDING FAMILY LEAVE TO MOTHERS AND FATHERS ALL ACROSS THE NATION.

(APPLAUSE) 40 MILLION AMERICAN FAMILIES HAVE AN AVERAGE $2,200 EXTRA THANKS TO OUR CHILD TAX CREDIT (APPLAUSE) I HAVE ALSO OVERSEEN HISTORIC FUNDING INCREASES FOR HIGH-QUALITY CHILD CARE, ENABLING 17 STATES TO SERVE MORE CHILDREN, MANY OF WHICH HAVE REDUCED OR ELIMINATED THEIR WAITLISTS ALTOGETHER.

(APPLAUSE) AND I SENT THE CONGRESS A PLAN WITH A VISION TO FURTHER EXPAND ACCESS TO HIGH-QUALITY CHILDCARE AND URGE YOU TO ACT IMMEDIATELY.

(APPLAUSE) TO PROTECT THE ENVIRONMENT, DAYS AGO, I ANNOUNCED THAT THE UNITED STATES WILL JOIN THE ONE TRILLION TREES INITIATIVE, AN AMBITIOUS EFFORT TO BRING TOGETHER GOVERNMENT AND THE PRIVATE SECTOR TO PLANT NEW TREES IN AMERICA AND AROUND THE WORLD.

(APPLAUSE) WE MUST ALSO REBUILD AMERICA'S INFRASTRUCTURE.

(CHEERING) (CHEERS AND APPLAUSE) I ASK YOU TO PASS SENATOR BARRASSO'S HIGHWAY BILL TO INVEST IN NEW ROADS, BRIDGES, AND TUNNELS ACROSS OUR LAND.

I AM ALSO COMMITTED TO ENSURING THAT EVERY CITIZEN CAN HAVE ACCESS TO HIGH-SPEED INTERNET, INCLUDING RURAL AMERICA.

(CHEERS AND APPLAUSE) A BETTER TOMORROW FOR ALL AMERICANS ALSO REQUIRES US TO KEEP AMERICA SAFE.

THAT MEANS SUPPORTING THE MEN AND WOMEN OF LAW ENFORCEMENT AT EVERY LEVEL, INCLUDING OUR NATION'S HEROIC I.C.E.

OFFICERS.

(CHEERS AND APPLAUSE) LAST YEAR, OUR BRAVE I.C.E.

OFFICERS ARRESTED MORE THAN 120,000 CRIMINAL ALIENS CHARGED WITH NEARLY 10,000 BURGLARIES, 5,000 SEXUAL ASSAULTS, 45,000 VIOLENT ASSAULTS, AND 2,000 MURDERS.

TRAGICALLY, THERE ARE MANY CITIES IN AMERICA WHERE RADICAL POLITICIANS HAVE CHOSEN TO PROVIDE SANCTUARY FOR THESE CRIMINAL ILLEGAL ALIENS.

IN SANCTUARY CITIES, LOCAL OFFICIALS ORDER POLICE TO RELEASE DANGEROUS CRIMINAL ALIENS TO PREY UPON THE PUBLIC, INSTEAD OF HANDING THEM OVER TO I.C.E.

TO BE SAFELY REMOVED.

JUST 29 DAYS AGO, A CRIMINAL ALIEN FREED BY THE SANCTUARY CITY OF NEW YORK WAS CHARGED WITH THE BRUTAL RAPE AND MURDER OF A 92-YEAR-OLD WOMAN.

THE KILLER HAD BEEN PREVIOUSLY ARRESTED FOR ASSAULT, BUT UNDER NEW YORK'S SANCTUARY POLICIES, HE WAS SET FREE.

I.C.E.

'S DETAINER REQUEST, HIS DETAINER REQUEST, HIS VICTIM WOULD BE ALIVE TODAY.

THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA PASSED AN OUTRAGEOUS LAW DECLARING THEIR WHOLE STATE TO BE A SANCTUARY FOR CRIMINAL ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS, A VERY TERRIBLE SANCTUARY, WITH CATASTROPHIC RESULTS.

HERE IS JUST ONE TRAGIC EXAMPLE.

IN DECEMBER 2018, CALIFORNIA POLICE DETAINED AN ILLEGAL ALIEN WITH FIVE PRIOR ARRESTS, INCLUDING CONVICTIONS FOR ROBBERY AND ASSAULT.

BUT AS REQUIRED BY CALIFORNIA'S SANCTUARY LAW, LOCAL AUTHORITIES RELEASED HIM.

DAYS LATER, THE CRIMINAL ALIEN WENT ON A GRUESOME SPREE OF DEADLY VIOLENCE.

HE VICIOUSLY SHOT ONE MAN GOING ABOUT HIS DAILY WORK, HE APPROACHED A WOMAN SITTING IN HER CAR AND SHOT HER IN THE ARM AND THE CHEST.

HE WALKED INTO A CONVENIENCE STORE AND WILDLY FIRED HIS WEAPON.

HE HIJACKED A TRUCK AND SMASHED INTO VEHICLES, CRITICALLY INJURING INNOCENT VICTIMS.

ONE OF THE VICTIMS IS A TERRIBLE TERRIBLE SITUATION, DIED, A 51 YEAR OLD AMERICAN NAMED ROCKY JONES.

ROCKY WAS AT A GAS STATION WHEN THIS VILE CRIMINAL FIRED EIGHT BULLETS AT HIM FROM CLOSE RANGE, MURDERING HIM IN COLD BLOOD.

ROCKY LEFT BEHIND A DEVOTED FAMILY, INCLUDING HIS BROTHERS WHO LOVED HIM MORE THAN ANYTHING.

ONE OF HIS GRIEVING BROTHERS IS HERE WITH US TONIGHT.

JODY, WOULD YOU PLEASE STAND?

JODY.

THANK YOU.

JODY, OUR HEARTS WEEP FOR YOUR LOSS-- AND WE WILL NOT REST UNTIL YOU HAVE JUSTICE.

SENATOR THOM TILLIS HAS INTRODUCED LEGISLATION TO ALLOW AMERICANS LIKE JODY TO SUE SANCTUARY CITIES AND STATES WHEN A LOVED ONE IS HURT OR KILLED AS A RESULT OF THESE DEADLY PRACTICES.

I ASK THE CONGRESS TO PASS THE JUSTICE FOR VICTIMS OF SANCTUARY CITIES ACT IMMEDIATELY.

THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA SHOULD BE A SANCTUARY FOR LAW-ABIDING AMERICANS-- NOT CRIMINAL ALIENS!

IN THE LAST THREE YEARS, ICE HAS ARRESTED OVER 5,000 WICKED HUMAN TRAFFICKERS-- AND I HAVE SIGNED NINE PIECES OF LEGISLATION TO STAMP OUT THE MENACE OF HUMAN TRAFFICKING, DOMESTICALLY AND AROUND THE GLOBE.

MY ADMINISTRATION HAS UNDERTAKEN AN UNPRECEDENTED EFFORT TO SECURE THE SOUTHERN BORDER OF THE UNITED STATES.

BEFORE I CAME INTO OFFICE, IF YOU SHOWED UP ILLEGALLY ON OUR SOUTHERN BORDER AND WERE ARRESTED, YOU WERE SIMPLY RELEASED AND ALLOWED INTO OUR COUNTRY, NEVER TO BE SEEN AGAIN.

MY ADMINISTRATION HAS ENDED CATCH-AND-RELEASE.

IF YOU COME ILLEGALLY, YOU WILL NOW BE PROMPTLY REMOVED FROM OUR COUNTRY.

WE ENTERED INTO HISTORIC COOPERATION AGREEMENTS WITH THE GOVERNMENTS OF MEXICO, HONDURAS, EL SALVADOR, AND GUATEMALA.

AS A RESULT OF OUR UNPRECEDENTED EFFORTS, ILLEGAL CROSSINGS ARE DOWN 75% SINCE MAY-- DROPPING EIGHT STRAIGHT MONTHS IN A ROW.

AND AS THE WALL GOES UP, DRUG SEIZURES RISE, AND BORDER CROSSINGS GO DOWN.

AND GOING DOWN VERY RAPIDLY.

LAST YEAR, I TRAVELED TO THE BORDER IN TEXAS AND MET CHIEF PATROL AGENT RAUL ORTIZ.

OVER THE LAST 24 MONTHS, AGENT ORTIZ AND HIS TEAM HAVE SEIZED MORE THAN 200,000 POUNDS OF POISONOUS NARCOTICS, ARRESTED MORE THAN 3,000 HUMAN SMUGGLERS, AND RESCUED MORE THAN 2,000 MIGRANTS.

DAYS AGO, AGENT ORTIZ WAS PROMOTED TO DEPUTY CHIEF OF BORDER PATROL-- AND HE JOINS US TONIGHT.

CCHIEF ORTIZ, PLEASE STAND.

GRATEFUL NATION THANKS YOU AND ALL THE HEROES OF BORDER PATROL.

AND ICE.

THANK YOU VERY MUCH.

TO BUILD ON THESE HISTORIC GAINS, WE ARE WORKING ON LEGISLATION TO REPLACE OUR OUTDATED AND RANDOMIZED IMMIGRATION SYSTEM WITH ONE BASED ON MERIT, WELCOMING THOSE WHO FOLLOW THE RULES, CONTRIBUTE TO OUR ECONOMY, SUPPORT THEMSELVES FINANCIALLY, AND UPHOLD OUR VALUES.

WITH EVERY ACTION, MY ADMINISTRATION IS RESTORING THE RULE OF LAW AND RE-ASSERTING THE CULTURE OF AMERICAN FREEDOM.

WORKING WITH SENATE MAJORITY LEADER MCCONNELL AND HIS COLLEAGUES IN THE SENATE, WE HAVE CONFIRMED A RECORD NUMBER OF 187 NEW FEDERAL JUDGES TO UPHOLD OUR CONSTITUTION AS WRITTEN.

THIS INCLUDES TWO BRILLIANT NEW SUPREME COURT JUSTICES, NEIL GORSUCH, AND BRETT KAVANAUGH.

AND WE HAVE MANY IN THE PIPELINE.

MY ADMINISTRATION IS ALSO DEFENDING RELIGIOUS LIBERTY, AND THAT INCLUDES THE CONSTITUTIONAL RIGHT TO PRAY IN PUBLIC SCHOOLS.

IN AMERICA, WE DO NOT PUNISH PRAYER.

WE DO NOT TEAR DOWN CROSSES.

WE DO NOT BAN SYMBOLS OF FAITH.

WE DO NOT MUZZLE PREACHERS AND PASTORS.

IN AMERICA, WE CELEBRATE FAITH.

WE CHERISH RELIGION.

WE LIFT OUR VOICES IN PRAYER, AND WE RAISE OUR SIGHTS TO THE GLORY OF GOD!

JUST AS WE BELIEVE IN THE FIRST AMENDMENT, WE ALSO BELIEVE IN ANOTHER CONSTITUTIONAL RIGHT THAT IS UNDER SIEGE ALL ACROSS OUR COUNTRY.

SO LONG AS I AM PRESIDENT I WILL ALWAYS PROTECT YOUR SECOND AMENDMENT RIGHT TO KEEP AND BEAR ARMS.

IN REAFFIRMING OUR HERITAGE AS A FREE NATION, WE MUST REMEMBER THAT AMERICA HAS ALWAYS BEEN A FRONTIER NATION.

NOW WE MUST EMBRACE THE NEXT FRONTIER, AMERICA'S MANIFEST DESTINY IN THE STARS.

I AM ASKING THE CONGRESS TO FULLY FUND THE ARTEMIS PROGRAM TO ENSURE THAT THE NEXT MAN AND THE FIRST WOMAN ON THE MOON WILL BE AMERICAN ASTRONAUTS-- USING THIS AS A LAUNCHING PAD TO ENSURE THAT AMERICA IS THE FIRST NATION TO PLANT ITS FLAG ON MARS.

MY ADMINISTRATION IS ALSO STRONGLY DEFENDING OUR NATIONAL SECURITY AND COMBATING RADICAL ISLAMIC TERRORISM.

LAST WEEK, I ANNOUNCED A GROUNDBREAKING PLAN FOR PEACE BETWEEN ISRAEL AND THE PALESTINIANS.

RECOGNIZING THAT ALL PAST ATTEMPTS HAVE FAILED, WE MUST BE DETERMINED AND CREATIVE IN ORDER TO STABILIZE THE REGION AND GIVE MILLIONS OF YOUNG PEOPLE THE CHANGE TO REALIZE A BETTER FUTURE.

THREE YEARS AGO, THE BARBARIANS OF ISIS HELD OVER 20,000 SQUARE MILES OF TERRITORY IN IRAQ AND SYRIA.

TODAY, THE ISIS TERRITORIAL CALIPHATE HAS BEEN 100% DESTROYED, AND THE FOUNDER AND LEADER OF ISIS-- THE BLOODTHIRSTY KILLER AL-BAGHDADI-- IS DEAD!

WE ARE JOINED THIS EVENING BY CARL AND MARSHA MUELLER.

AFTER GRADUATING FROM COLLEGE, THEIR BEAUTIFUL DAUGHTER KAYLA BECAME A HUMANITARIAN AID WORKER.

KAYLA ONCE WROTE, "SOME PEOPLE FIND GOD IN CHURCH.

SOME PEOPLE FIND GOD IN NATURE.

SOME PEOPLE FIND GOD IN LOVE; I FIND GOD IN SUFFERING.

I'VE KNOWN FOR SOME TIME WHAT MY LIFE'S WORK IS, USING MY HANDS AS TOOLS TO RELIEVE SUFFERING."

IN 2013, WHILE CARING FOR SUFFERING CIVILIANS IN SYRIA, KAYLA WAS KIDNAPPED, TORTURED, AND ENSLAVED BY ISIS, AND KEPT AS A PRISONER OF AL-BAGHDADI HIMSELF.

AFTER MORE THAN 500 HORRIFYING DAYS OF CAPTIVITY, AL-BAGHDADI MURDERED YOUNG KAYLA.

SHE WAS JUST 26 YEARS OLD.

ON THE NIGHT THAT UNITED STATES SPECIAL FORCES OPERATORS ENDED AL-BAGHDADI'S MISERABLE LIFE, THE CHAIRMAN OF THE JOINT CHIEFS OF STAFF, GENERAL MARK MILLEY, RECEIVED A CALL IN THE SITUATION ROOM.

HE WAS TOLD THAT THE BRAVE MEN OF THE ELITE SPECIAL FORCES TEAM, THAT SO PERFECTLY CARRIED OUT THE OPERATION, HAD GIVEN THEIR MISSION A NAME-- "TASK FORCE 8-14."

IT WAS A REFERENCE TO A SPECIAL DAY: AUGUST 14-- KAYLA'S BIRTHDAY.

CARL AND MARSHA, AMERICA'S WARRIORS NEVER FORGOT KAYLA-- AND NEITHER WILL WE.

EVERY DAY, AMERICA'S MEN AND WOMEN IN UNIFORM DEMONSTRATE THE INFINITE DEPTHS OF LOVE THAT DWELLS IN THE HUMAN HEART.

ONE OF THESE AMERICAN HEROES WAS ARMY STAFF SERGEANT CHRISTOPHER HAKE.

ON HIS SECOND DEPLOYMENT TO IRAQ IN 2008, SERGEANT HAKE WROTE A LETTER TO HIS ONE-YEAR-OLD SON, GAGE: "I WILL BE WITH YOU AGAIN," HE WROTE TO GAGE.

"I WILL TEACH YOU TO RIDE YOUR FIRST BIKE, BUILD YOUR FIRST SAND BOX, WATCH YOU PLAY SPORTS AND SEE YOU HAVE KIDS ALSO.

I LOVE YOU SON, TAKE CARE OF YOUR MOTHER.

I AM ALWAYS WITH YOU.

DAD."

ON EASTER SUNDAY OF 2008, CHRIS WAS OUT ON PATROL IN BAGHDAD WHEN HIS BRADLEY FIGHTING VEHICLE WAS HIT BY A ROADSIDE BOMB.

THAT NIGHT, HE MADE THE ULTIMATE SACRIFICE FOR OUR COUNTRY.

SERGEANT HAKE NOW RESTS IN ETERNAL GLORY IN ARLINGTON, AND HIS WIFE KELLI IS IN THE GALLERY TONIGHT, JOINED BY THEIR SON, WHO IS NOW 13 YEARS OLD.

TO KELLI AND GAGE: CHRIS WILL LIVE IN OUR HEARTS FOREVER.

HE'S LOOKING DOWN ON YOU NOW.

THANK YOU.

THANK YOU VERY MUCH.

THANK YOU BOTH VERY MUCH.

THE TERRORIST RESPONSIBLE FOR KILLING SERGEANT HAKE WAS QASEM SOLEIMANI, WHO PROVIDED THE DEADLY ROADSIDE BOMB THAT TOOK CHRIS'S LIFE.

SOLEIMANI WAS THE IRANIAN REGIME'S MOST RUTHLESS BUTCHER, A MONSTER WHO MURDERED OR WOUNDED THOUSANDS OF AMERICAN SERVICE MEMBERS IN IRAQ.

AS THE WORLD'S TOP TERRORIST, SOLEIMANI ORCHESTRATED THE DEATHS OF COUNTLESS MEN, WOMEN, AND CHILDREN.

HE DIRECTED THE DECEMBER ASSAULT AND WENT ON TO ASSAULT ON UNITED STATES FORCES IN IRAQ, AND WAS ACTIVELY PLANNING NEW ATTACKS.

THAT IS WHY, LAST MONTH, AT MY DIRECTION, THE UNITED STATES MILITARY EXECUTED A FLAWLESS PRECISION STRIKE THAT KILLED SOLEIMANI AND TERMINATED HIS EVIL REIGN OF TERROR FOREVER.

OUR MESSAGE TO THE TERRORISTS IS CLEAR: YOU WILL NEVER ESCAPE AMERICAN JUSTICE.

IF YOU ATTACK OUR CITIZENS, YOU FORFEIT YOUR LIFE!

IN RECENT MONTHS, WE HAVE SEEN PROUD IRANIANS RAISE THEIR VOICES AGAINST THEIR OPPRESSIVE RULERS.

THE IRANIAN REGIME MUST ABANDON ITS PURSUIT OF NUCLEAR WEAPONS, STOP SPREADING TERROR, DEATH, AND DESTRUCTION, AND START WORKING FOR THE GOOD OF ITS OWN PEOPLE.

BECAUSE OF OUR POWERFUL SANCTIONS, THE IRANIAN ECONOMY IS DOING VERY POORLY.

WE CAN HELP THEM MAKE IT VERY GOOD IN A SHORT PERIOD OF TIME, BUT PERHAPS THEY ARE TOO PROUD OR TOO FOOLISH TO ASK FOR THAT HELP.

WE ARE HERE.

LET'S SEE WHICH ROAD THEY CHOOSE.

IT IS TOTALLY UP TO THEM.

AS WE DEFEND AMERICAN LIVES, WE ARE WORKING TO END AMERICA'S WARS IN THE MIDDLE EAST.

IN AFGHANISTAN, THE DETERMINATION AND VALOR OF OUR WARFIGHTERS HAS ALLOWED US TO MAKE TREMENDOUS PROGRESS, AND PEACE TALKS ARE UNDERWAY.

I AM NOT LOOKING TO KILL HUNDREDS OF THOUSANDS OF PEOPLE IN AFGHANISTAN, MANY OF THEM INNOCENT.

IT IS ALSO NOT OUR FUNCTION TO SERVE OTHER NATIONS AS A LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCY.

THESE ARE WARFIGHTERS, THE BEST IN THE WORLD, AND THEY EITHER WANT TO FIGHT TO WIN OR NOT FIGHT AT ALL.

WE ARE WORKING TO FINALLY END AMERICA'S LONGEST WAR AND BRING OUR TROOPS BACK HOME!

WAR PLACES A HEAVY BURDEN ON OUR NATION'S EXTRAORDINARY MILITARY FAMILIES, ESPECIALLY SPOUSES LIKE AMY WILLIAMS FROM FORT BRAGG, NORTH CAROLINA, AND HER TWO CHILDREN-- SIX-YEAR-OLD ELLIANA AND THREE-YEAR-OLD ROWAN.

AMY WORKS FULL TIME, AND VOLUNTEERS COUNTLESS HOURS HELPING OTHER MILITARY FAMILIES.

FOR THE PAST SEVEN MONTHS, SHE HAS DONE IT ALL WHILE HER HUSBAND, SERGEANT FIRST CLASS TOWNSEND WILLIAMS, IS IN AFGHANISTAN ON HIS FOURTH DEPLOYMENT TO THE MIDDLE EAST.

AMY'S KIDS HAVE NOT SEEN THEIR FATHER'S FACE IN MANY MONTHS.

AMY, YOUR FAMILY'S SACRIFICE MAKES IT POSSIBLE FOR ALL OF OUR FAMILIES TO LIVE IN SAFETY AND PEACE.

AND WE WANT TO THANK YOU.

THANK YOU, AMY.

AMY.

THERE IS ONE MORE THING.

TONIGHT WE HAVE A VERY SPECIAL SURPRISED.

I AM THRILLED TO SAY YOUR HUSBAND IS BACK FROM DEPLOYMENT AND HE IS HERE TONIGHT AND WE COULDN'T KEEP HIM WAITING ANY LONGER.

WELCOME HOME, SERGEANT WILLIAMS.

THANK YOU VERY MUCH.

AS THE WORLD BEARS WITNESS TONIGHT, AMERICA IS A LAND OF HEROES.

THIS IS THE PLACE WHERE GREATNESS IS BORN, WHERE DESTINIES ARE FORGED, AND WHERE LEGENDS COME TO LIFE.

THIS IS THE HOME OF THOMAS EDISON AND TEDDY ROOSEVELT, OF MANY GREAT GENERALS, INCLUDING WASHINGTON, PERSHING, PATTON, AND MACARTHUR.

THIS IS THE HOME OF ABRAHAM LINCOLN, FREDERICK DOUGLASS, AMELIA EARHART, HARRIET TUBMAN, THE WRIGHT BROTHERS, NEIL ARMSTRONG, AND SO MANY MORE.

THIS IS THE COUNTRY WHERE CHILDREN LEARN NAMES LIKE WYATT EARP, DAVY CROCKETT, AND ANNIE OAKLEY.

THIS IS THE PLACE WHERE THE PILGRIMS LANDED AT PLYMOUTH AND WHERE TEXAS PATRIOTS MADE THEIR LAST STAND AT THE ALAMO.

THE BEAUTIFUL, BEAUTIFUL, ALAMO.

THE AMERICAN NATION WAS CARVED OUT OF THE VAST FRONTIER BY THE TOUGHEST, STRONGEST, FIERCEST, AND MOST DETERMINED MEN AND WOMEN EVER TO WALK THE FACE OF THE EARTH.

OUR ANCESTORS BRAVED THE UNKNOWN; TAMED THE WILDERNESS; SETTLED THE WILD WEST; LIFTED MILLIONS FROM POVERTY, DISEASE, AND HUNGER; VANQUISHED TYRANNY AND FASCISM; USHERED THE WORLD TO NEW HEIGHTS OF SCIENCE AND MEDICINE; LAID DOWN THE RAILROADS, DUG OUT CANALS, RAISED UP THE SKYSCRAPERS-- AND, LADIES AND GENTLEMEN, OUR ANCESTORS BUILT THE MOST EXCEPTIONAL REPUBLIC EVER TO EXIST IN ALL OF HUMAN HISTORY.

AND WE ARE MAKING IT GREATER THAN EVER BEFORE!

THIS IS OUR GLORIOUS AND MAGNIFICENT INHERITANCE.

WE ARE AMERICANS.

WE ARE THE PIONEERS.

WE ARE THE PATHFINDERS.

WE SETTLED THE NEW WORLD, WE BUILT THE MODERN WORLD, AND WE CHANGED HISTORY FOREVER BY EMBRACING THE ETERNAL TRUTH THAT EVERYONE IS MADE EQUAL BY THE HAND OF ALMIGHTY GOD.

AMERICA IS THE PLACE WHERE ANYTHING CAN HAPPEN!

AMERICA IS THE PLACE WHERE ANYONE CAN RISE.

AND HERE, ON THIS LAND, ON THIS SOIL, ON THIS CONTINENT, THE MOST INCREDIBLE DREAMS COME TRUE!

THIS NATION IS OUR CANVAS, AND THIS COUNTRY IS OUR MASTERPIECE.

WE LOOK AT TOMORROW AND SEE UNLIMITED FRONTIERS JUST WAITING TO BE EXPLORED.

OUR BRIGHTEST DISCOVERIES ARE NOT YET KNOWN.

OUR MOST THRILLING STORIES ARE NOT YET TOLD.

OUR GRANDEST JOURNEYS ARE NOT YET MADE.

THE AMERICAN AGE, THE AMERICAN EPIC, THE AMERICAN ADVENTURE, HAS ONLY JUST BEGUN!

OUR SPIRIT IS STILL YOUNG; THE SUN IS STILL RISING; GOD'S GRACE IS STILL SHINING; AND MY FELLOW AMERICANS, THE BEST IS YET TO COME!

THANK YOU.

GOD BLESS YOU.

GOD BLESS AMERICA.

>> AND PRESIDENT TRUMP CONCLUDES HIS STATE OF THE UNION ADDRESS WITH THE SPEAKER OF THE HOUSE NANCY PELOSI VISIBLY TEARING HAD HER COPY OF THE SPEECH IN HALF AS SHE STANDS BEHIND HIM.

THE PRESIDENT TURNING TO LEAVE THE DIAS, WALKING BY THE MILITARY OF THE COUNTRY.

SOME OF THE JURY ADVERTISES OF THE SUPREME COURT -- JURY ADVERTISES OF THE SUPREME COURT.

KAVANAUGH, GORSUCH AND OTHERS.

AND MAKING HIS WAY PAST MEMBERS OF THE CABINET.

MAJORITY LEADER MCCONNELL AND OTHERS.

SENATOR FROM MISSOURI AS HE MAKES WHAT APPEARS TO BE A BRISK EXIT FROM THE HOUSE CHAMBER AFTER HIS ADDRESS WHICH LASTED JUST ABOUT AN HOUR 20 MINUTES.

THE PRESIDENT TODAY TOLD REPORTERS IT WOULD RUN A HOUR AND 25 MINUTES AND IT'S JUST ABOUT THAT LENGTH.

THE PRESIDENT MOVING QUICKLY TO LEAVE THE HOUSE QUICKLY.

SOMETIMES WE SEE PRESIDENTS LINGER AND HAVE CONVERSATIONS WITH MEMBERS.

WE CAN HEAR HIM NOW ACCEPTING CONGRATULATIONS.

THANK YOU.

WE HEARD ONE SAY BRILLIANT.

ANOTHER ONE THANK YOU.

SIGNING A FEW AUTOGRAPHS ON HIS WAY OUT THE DOOR WITH A CAMERA RIGHT IN FRONT OF HIM AS YOU CAN SEE AS HE WALKS OUT.

THIS WAS THE STATE OF THE UNION THAT SPANNED THE STORY OF THE LAST YEAR.

NO MENTION AT ALL OF IMPEACHMENT, OF THE VOTE COMING UP TOMORROW IN THE UNITED STATES SENATE.

THE MEMBERS OF THE SENATE WILL BE VOTING TOMORROW ON WHETHER TO ACQUIT OR CONVICT ARE IN THE AUDIENCE TONIGHT.

NO MENTION OF THAT.

THE PRESIDENT SPOKE OF A SUCCESSFUL AMERICAN ECONOMY, SUCCESSFUL AMERICAN FOREIGN POLICY.

HIS APPROACH TO HEALTHCARE, TO THE ENVIRONMENT, FAMILIES AND WITH A LONG LIST OF INTRODUCTIONS OF GUESTS IN THE GALLERY, INCLUDING VERY EMOTIONALLY AT THE END A REUNION BETWEEN A MASTER SERGEANT IN AFGHANISTAN IN A SURPRISE REUNION WITH HIS WIFE I BELIEVE BASED AT FORT BRAG.

>> THE SESSIONS OF THE TWO HOUSES NOW DISSOLVED.

>> HERE I AM IN THE STUDIO.

MATT SCHLAPP IS CHAIR OF THE AMERICAN CONSERVATIVE UNION.

HE'S AN ADVISOR FOR PRESIDENT TRUMP.

PRESIDENT TRUMP'S RE-ELECTION CAMPAIGN.

ALONG WITH HIM JAMAL SIMMONS A DEMOCRATIC STRATEGIST THAT WORKED ON PRESIDENT OBAMA'S 2008 CAMPAIGN AND IN THE WHITE HOUSE UNDER PRESIDENT BILL CLINTON.

HE'S HOST OF THE SHOW WHY YOU SHOULD CARE ON HILL TV.

HELLO TO BOTH OF YOU.

>> GOOD EVENING.

>> GOOD TO SEE YOU.

MATT SCHLAPP, YOU KNOW THIS PRESIDENT.

YOU'VE BEEN ADVOCATING FOR HIM FOR A LONG TIME.

NO MENTION OF IMPEACHMENT.

>> YEAH.

I KIND OF LIKED THAT SMATTER.

I MEAN I SUPPOSE YOU COULD SENSE THE ACRIMONY THERE WITH THE WAY PELOSI WAS REACTING TO THE SPEECH, THE WAY THE REPUBLICANS AND DEMOCRATS WERE REACTING IN AN OPPOSITE MANNER.

BUT HERE'S THE NUMBER ONE THING I TOOK OUT OF THE SPEECH.

IT SURE HELPS THE PRESIDENT WHEN THEY'RE ON THE CUSP OF RUNNING FOR RE-ELECTION TO HAVE A STRONG ECONOMY.

TICKING THROUGH ALL THOSE FACTS OF THE ECONOMY IT'S A STRONG CASE TO MAKE AND QUITE HONESTLY I THOUGHT THE DEMOCRATS SHOULD BE TOO.

IT'S THE AMERICAN PEOPLE THAT GROW THE ECONOMY, IT'S NOT JUST THE PRESIDENT.

>> JAMAL SIMMONS, THE PRESIDENT DID TALK AT LENGTH ABOUT THE HEALTH OF THE ECONOMY.

HE ALSO SPOKE AT LENGTH ABOUT HIS ACCOMPLISHMENTS, WHERE THE UNITED STATES IS IN THE WORLD AND IN FOREIGN RELATIONS AND PAINTED A PICTURE OF A BRISK THRIVING AMERICA.

>> HE DID.

AND YOU KNOW THE PRESIDENT'S VERY GOOD AT THE ASPIRATIONAL SENSIBILITY.

AS MUCH AS MAKE AMERICA GREAT IS ROOTED IN GRIEVANCE, IT'S ALSO ABOUT SOME SORT OF ASPIRATIONAL MESSAGE.

MAKE AMERICA GREAT AGAIN.

DO YOU KNOW WHAT HE DID TODAY.

HE DID A COUPLE THING THAT WAS DISTURBING.

IT WAS AMERICA VERSUS THE WORLD.

WHENEVER HE TALKED ABOUT A FOREIGN COUNTRY, IT WAS A COUNTRY, SOME PLACE WE WERE AT WAR, SOME PLACE WE WERE TRYING TO CONTROL, IRAN, AFGHANISTAN.

AND THEN THERE WAS CITIZENS VERSUS IMMIGRANTS.

EVERY TIME IMMIGRANTS CAME UP, IT WAS STOPPING THEM, STOPPING THE CRIMINALS OR STOPPING TERRORISM.

WE'RE GOING TO KEEP THEM FROM TAKING ADVANTAGE OF US.

THAT'S THE THING CAUSES SO MUCH DISTRESS AMONG THOSE DEMOCRATS SITTING THERE WATCHING BECAUSE A LOT OF THE AMERICANS DON'T APPROACH THE WORLD THAT WAY.

THEY THINK PERHAPS AMERICA SHOULD BE BUILDING ALLIANCES AND CREATING A WORLD WE ALL WORK TOGETHER AND WE SHOULD HAVE A COUNTRY THAT'S WELCOMING PEOPLE AND NOT SHUTTING THEM OUT.

>> WHAT ABOUT THAT MATT SCHLAPP.

AN OPPOSITIONAL APPROACH IS WHAT JAMAL SEEMS TO BE DESCRIBING.

>> I UNDERSTAND THAT.

I THINK THAT WAS GOOD WHEN YOU SAID PRESIDENT WAS BEING AS SEPARATIONAL.

THAT'S GOOD.

I -- AS ADMINISTRATIONAL.

THAT'S GOOD.

WHAT I SEE IS THE PRESIDENT IS DOING BETTER FOR THE AMERICAN VOTERS AND WE'VE SEEN A RECENT REPUBLICAN PRESIDENT DO.

HE'S ACTUALLY, HIS WORK ON CRIMINAL JUSTICE REFORM AND THE FACT THAT THE ECONOMY IS DOING SO WELL.

EVERYONE IS IMPROVING ALL DEMOGRAPHIC GROUPS ARE IMPROVING INCLUDING NEW AMERICANS AND THAT'S GREAT WHEN THEY WERE TALKING ABOUT THEIR WAGES ARE RISING AT A FAST CLIP.

I UNDERSTAND WHY DEMOCRATS WOULD WANT TO TALK ABOUT THIS IN TERMS OF DIVISION BUT A GOOD ECONOMY IS HELPING EVERYBODY.

>> I LOOKED UP A COUPLE NUMBERS JUST TO FACT CHECK MYSELF.

THE PRESIDENT TALKED ABOUT AFRICAN AMERICAN UNEMPLOYMENT BEING SO LOW.

JUST FOR THE RECORD AFRICAN AMERICAN DONALD 9% UNDER PRESIDENT OBAMA AND UNDER PRESIDENT TRUMP IT ONLY DROPPED 2%.

>> BUT IT'S SLOWER.

>> IT'S LIKE SAYING -- >> SAYING IT'S CONTINUED TO DROP.

>> IF I MAKE A MILLION DOLLARS AND YOU COME AND YOU MAKE A HUNDRED THOUSAND YOU MADE SOME MORE MONEY.

THAT DOESN'T MEAN YOU DID AS GOOD A JOB AS I DID.

I THINK PRESIDENT OBAMA DID MUCH MORE TO MAKE THE ECONOMY WORK FOR PEOPLE ACROSS THE SPECTRUM THAN PRESIDENT TRUMP HAS DONE.

>> WE ARE WAITING NOW.

WE'RE ABOUT 40 SECONDS AWAY IN FACT FROM THE DEMOCRATIC RESPONSE.

THIS IS THE TRADITIONAL RESPONSE OF THE DEMOCRATIC PARTY.

IT'S GOING TO BE FROM THE GOORCH TONIGHT FROM THE GOVERNOR OF MICHIGAN.

SHE IS GRE GRETCHEN WHITMER.

SHE'S SPEAKING FROM A HIGH SCHOOL IN EAST LANCING, MICHIGAN.

WE'RE GOING TO TURN TO HER IN JUST A MINUTE.

I THINK THAT'S COMING UP.

WHEN SHE IS DONE, WE WANT TO COME BACK AND LOOK AT SOME MORE OF WHAT PRESIDENT TRUMP HAD TO SAY, SOME OF THE THEMES THAT HE HIT ON, SOME OF THE CLAIMS THAT HE MADE ABOUT HIS ADMINISTRATION AND THE REACTION THERE IN THE GALLERY.

THIS IS MICHIGAN GOVERN GRETCHEN WHITMER.

>> GOOD EVENING.

I'M HONORED TO BE HERE AND GRATEFUL THAT YOU'RE TUNING IN.

I'M GRETCHEN WHITMER 49TH GOVERNOR OF THE GREAT STATE OF MICHIGAN.

TONIGHT I'M AT MY DAUGHTER SHERI AND SYDNEY'S SCHOOL EAST LANCING HIGH SCHOOL.

WE'RE HERE TODAY WITH FAMILIES, PARENTS, TEACHERS AND MOST IMPORTANTLY STUDENTS.

I WANT TO THANK YOU ALL FOR COMING, BUT TONIGHT I'M GOING TO TALK TO THOSE OF YOU WHO ARE WATCHING AT HOME.

I NEED A LOT MORE THAN 10 MINUTES TO RESPOND TO WHAT THE PRESIDENT JUST SAID.

SO INSTEAD OF TALKING ABOUT WHAT HE IS SAYING, I'M GOING TO HIGHLIGHT WHAT DEMOCRATS ARE DOING.

AFTER ALL, YOU CAN LISTEN TO WHAT SOMEONE SAYS BUT TO KNOW THE TRUTH EVER, WATCH WHAT THEY.

MICHIGANERS ARE NO DIFFERENT FROM AMERICANS EVERYWHERE.

WE LOVE OUR FAMILIES AND WANT A GOOD LIFE TODAY AND A BETTER LIFE TOMORROW FOR OUR KIDS.

WE WORK HARD AND WE EXPECT OUR GOVERNMENT TO WORK HARD FOR US AS WELL.

WE HAVE GRIT AND VALUE LOYALTY.

AND FOR THE DETROIT LIONS.

WE AND ALL AMERICANS MIGHT BE WEARY OF TODAY'S POLITICS BUT WE MUST STAY ENGAGED.

OUR COUNTRY, OUR DEMOCRACY, OUR FUTURE DEMAND IT.

WE'RE CAPABLE OF GREAT THINGS WHEN WE WORK TOGETHER.

WE CANNOT FORGET THAT DESPITE THE DISHONESTY AND DIVISION OF THE LAST FEW YEARS AND THAT WE HEARD TONIGHT FROM THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES, TOGETHER WE HAVE BOUNDLESS POTENTIAL.

YOUNG AMERICANS ARE PROVING THAT EVERY DAY.

BY TAKING ACTION.

THAT'S WHAT I WANT TO FOCUS ON TONIGHT.

MONTY SCOTT IS 13 YEARS OLD AND LEAVES IN MICHIGAN.

MONTY STREET WAS COVERED IN POTHOLES.

THEY WERE ANKLE DEEP AND HE GOT TIRED OF WAITING THEM TO GET FIXED.

SO HE GRABBED A SHOVEL AND A BUCKET OF DIRT AND FILLED THEM IN HIMSELF.

DURING MY COMPLAIN PEOPLE TOLD ME TO FIX THE DAMN ROADS BECAUSE BROKEN TIRES AND BROKEN WINDSHIELDS ARE DOWN RIGHT DANGEROUS.

AND CAR REPAIRS TAKE MONEY FROM RENT, CHILD CARE OR GROCERIES.

AND WE, THE DEMOCRATS ARE DOING SOMETHING ABOUT IT.

IN ILLINOIS, THE GOVERNOR PASSED A MULTIBILLION PLAN TO REBUILD THE ROAD AND BRIDGES.

GOVERNOR MURPHY IS REPLACING LEAD PIPES IN NEW JERSEY.

ALL ACROSS THE COUNTRY DEMOCRATIC LEADERS ARE BUILDING BRIDGES, FIXING ROADS, EXPANDING BROADBAND AND CLEANING UP DRINKING WATER.

EVERYONE IN THIS COUNTRY BENEFITS WHEN WE INVEST IN INFRASTRUCTURE.

CONGRESSIONAL DEMOCRATS HAVE PRESENTED PROPOSALS TO KEEP US MOVING FORWARD BUT PRESIDENT TRUMP AND REPUBLICANS IN THE SENATE ARE BLACKING THE PATH.

WHEN IT COMES TO INFRASTRUCTURE MONTY TRIED TO DO MORE WITH A SHOVEL AND A PILE OF DIRT THAN THE REPUBLICANS IN D.C. HAVE WITH THE OVAL OFFICE AND THE U.S. SENATE.

BULLYING PEOPLE TWITTER DOESN'T FIX BRIDGES, IT BURNS THEM.

OUR ENERGY SHOULD BE USED TO SOLVE PROBLEMS.

AND IT'S TRUE FOR HEALTHCARE TOO.

FOR ME, FOR SO MANY AMERICANS, HEALTHCARE IS PERSONAL, NOT POLITICAL.

WHEN I WAS 30, I BECAME A MEMBER OF THE SANDWICH GENERATION.

THAT MEANS, I WAS SANDWICHED BETWEEN TWO GENERATIONS OF MY OWN FAMILY FOR WHOM I WAS THE PRIMARY CARE-GIVER.

HOLDING DOWN A NEW JOB, CARING FOR MY NEWBORN DAUGHTER AS WELL AS THE END OF A BRAIN CANCER BATTLE.

I WAS YOU WITH A BABY AND AT THE END OF THE DAY I HAD TO FIGHT MY MOTHER'S COVERAGE WHEN THEY DENIED HER COVERAGE FOR COPY -- CHEMOTHERAPY.

IT CHANGED ME.

THERE ARE PEOPLE THAT JUST TALK AND NO ACTION.

THE STATE SENATOR I WORKED WITH A REPUBLICAN LEGISLATURE EXPAND HEALTHCARE COVERAGE UNDER THE AFFORDABLE HEALTHCARE ACT.

TODAY MEMBERS ARE EXPANDING COVERAGE AND LOWERING COSTS.

THERE'S WORK ACROSS THE AISLE TO BRING MEDICAID COVERAGE TO TENS OF HOSTS THOUSANDS.

THERE WAS ENSHRINED ACA PROTECTIONS INTO LAW.

EVERY DEMOCRAT RUNNING FOR PRESIDENT HAS A PLAN TO EXPAND HEALTHCARE FOR ALL AMERICANS.

EVERY ONE OF THEM HAS SUPPORTED THE AFFORDABLE CARE ACT WITH COVERAGE FOR PEOPLE WITH PREEXISTING CONDITIONS.

THEY MAY HAVE DIFFERENT PLANS BUT THE GOAL IS THE SAME.

PRESIDENT TRUMP SADLY HAS A DIFFERENT PLAN.

HE'S ASKING THE COURTS TO RIP THOSE LIFE SAVING PROTECTIONS AWAY.

IT'S PRETTY SIMPLE.

DEMOCRATS ARE TRYING TO MAKE YOUR HEALTHCARE BETTER.

REPUBLICANS IN WASHINGTON ARE TRYING TO TAKE IT AWAY.

THINK ABOUT KIDS LIKE 17 YEAR OLD BLAKE CAROL FROM IDAHO WHO ORGANIZED A FUND RAISER TO PAY FOR HIS MOM'S COLON CANCERS TREATMENT.

19 YEAR OLD EBONY MEYERS FROM UTAH WHO SOLD ART TO PAYER FOR HER OWN RARE GENETIC DSORDER TREATMENT.

NO ONE SHOULD HAVE TO CROWDSOURCE THEIR HEALTHCARE.

NOT IN AMERICA.

BUT THE REALITY IS NOT EVERYONE IN AMERICA HAS A JOB WITH HEALTHCARE AND BENEFITS.

IN FACT, MANY HAVE JOBS THAT DONTDON'T EVEN PAY ENOUGH TO COR THEIR MONTHLY EXPENSES.

IT DOESN'T MATTER WHAT THE PRESIDENT SAYS ABOUT THE STOCK MARKET.

WHAT MATTERS IS THAT MILLIONS OF PEOPLE STRUGGLE TO GET BY OR DON'T HAVE ENOUGH MONEY AT THE END OF THE MONTH AFTER PAYING FOR TRANSPORTATION, STUDENTS LOANS OR PRESCRIPTION DRUGS.

AMERICAN WORKERS ARE HURTING.

IN MY OWN STATE.

OUR NEIGHBORS IN WISCONSIN, OHIO, PENNSYLVANIA AND ALL OVER THE COUNTRY.

WAGES ARE STAGNATED WHILE CEO PAY HAS SKY ROCKETED.

SO WHEN THE PRESIDENT SAYS THE ECONOMY'S STRONG, MY QUESTION IS STRONG FOR WHOM.

STRONG FOR THE WEALTHY WHO ARE REAPING REWARDS FROM TAX CUTS THEY DON'T NEED?

THE AMERICAN ECONOMY NEEDS TO BE A DIFFERENT KIND OF STRONG.

STRONG FOR THE SCIENCE TEACHER SPENDING HER OWN MONEY TO BUY SUPPLIES FOR HER CLASSROOM.

STRONG FOR THE SINGLE MOM PICKING UP EXTRA HOURS SO SHE CAN AFFORD HER DAUGHTER'S SOCCER CLEATS.

STRONG FOR THE BUSINESS OWNER WHO HAS TO MAKE PAYROLL AT THE END OF THE MONTH.

MICHIGAN INVENTED MIDDLE CLASS SO WE KNOW IF THE ECONOMY DOESN'T WORK FOR WORKING PEOPLE, IT JUST DOESN'T WORK.

WHO FIGHTS FOR WORKING, HARD WORKING AMERICANS?

DEMOCRATS DO.

IN THE U.S. HOUSE, SPEAKER NANCY PELOSI AND DEMOCRATS PASSED A LANDMARK BILL ON EQUAL PAY.

ANOTHER BILL THAT GIVES 30 MILLION AMERICANS A RAISE AND GROUND BREAKING LEGISLATION TO FINALLY GIVE MEDICARE THE POWER TO NEGOTIATE LOWER DRUG PRICES FOR AMERICA'S SENIORS AND FAMILIES.

THOSE THREE BILLS AND MORE THAN 275 OTHER BIPARTISAN BILLS ARE JUST GATHERING DUST ON SENATE MAJORITY LEADER MITCH MCCONNELL'S DESK.

SENATOR MCCONNELL, AMERICA NEEDS YOU TO MOVE THOSE BILLS.

MEANWHILE, DEMOCRATS ACROSS THE COUNTRY ARE GETTING THINGS DONE.

PENNSYLVANIA GOVERNOR IS EXPANDING THE RIGHTS FOR OVERTIME PAY.

MICHIGAN IS TOO.

BECAUSE IF YOU'RE ON THE CLOCK, YOU DESERVE TO GET PAID.

NEVADA GOVERNOR, NORTH CAROLINA GOVERNOR ARE WORKING TO GIVE HARD WORKING TEACHERS A RAISE.

AND SPEAKING OF THE CLASSROOM, WISCONSIN GOVERNOR UNILATERALLY INCREASED SCHOOL FUNDING BY $65 MILLION LAST YEAR.

IN COLORADO, THE GOVERN HAD AN ACTIVE FREE ALL-DAY KINDERGARTENNEN.

IN 29 STATES WE HELPED PASS MINIMUM WAGE HIKES AND LAWS TO IMPROVE LIVES FOR FAMILIES.

THAT'S STRENGTH.

THAT'S ACTION.

DEMOCRACY TAKES ACTION.

AND THAT'S WHY I'M SO INSPIRED BY YOUNG PEOPLE.

THEY RESPOND TO MASS SHOOTINGS, DEMANDING POLICIES THAT MAKE SCHOOL SAFER.

THEY REACT TO A WORLD THAT'S LITERALLY ON FIRE WITH FIRE IN THEIR BELLIES.

TO PUSH LEADERS TO FINALLY TAKE ACTION ON CLIMATE CHANGE.

THEY TAKE ON A ROAD AND FILLED A POTHOLE WITH A SHOVEL AND DIRT.

IT GIVES ME GREAT CONFIDENCE IN OUR FUTURE AND WHY SOMETIMES IT FEELS LIKE ADULTS IN THE WORLD BUT IT SHOULDN'T BE THAT WAY.

IT'S NOT THEIR MESS TO CLEAN UP.

IT'S OURS.

THE CHOICES WE MAKE TODAY CREATE THEIR REALITY TOMORROW.

YOUNG PEOPLE, I'M TALKING TO YOU AND YOUR PARENTS AND GRANDPARENTS.

DEMOCRATS WANT SAFE SCHOOLS.

WE WANT EVERYONE TO HAVE A PATH TO A GOOD LIFE WHETHER IT'S THROUGH A UNION APPRENTICESHIP, A COMMUNITY COLLEGE, A FOUR-YEAR UNIVERSITY WITHOUT DROWNING IN DEBT.

WE WANT YOUR WATER TO BE CLEAN.

WE WANT YOU TO LOVE WHO YOU LOVE AND LIVE AUTHENTICALLY AS YOUR TRUE SELF.

WE WANT WOMEN TO HAVE AUTONOMY OVER OUR BODIES.

WE WANT OUR COUNTRY WELCOMING AND EVERYONE'S VOTE COUNTED.

2020 IS A BIG YEAR.

IT'S THE YEAR MY DAUGHTER SHERI WILL GRADUATE FROM HIGH SCHOOL.

IT'S ALSO THE YEAR SHE'LL CAST HER FIRST BALLOT ALONG WITH MILLIONS OF YOUNG AMERICANS.

THE TWO THINGS ARE CONNECTED BECAUSE WALKING ACROSS THE GRADUATION STAGE IS AS IMPORTANT AS WALKING INTO THE VOTING BOOTH FOR THE FIRST TIME.

HER FUTURE, ALL OUR KIDS' FUTURES WILL BE DETERMINED NOT JUST BY THEIR DREAMS BUT BY OUR ACTIONS.

AS WE WITNESS THE IMPEACHMENT PROCESS IN WASHINGTON, THERE ARE SOME THINGS EACH OF US, NO MATTER OUR PARTY, SHOULD DEMAND.

THE TRUTH MATTERS.

FACTS MATTER.

AND NO ONE SHOULD BE ABOVE THE LAW.

IT'S NOT WHAT THOSE SENATORS SAY.

TOMORROW IT'S ABOUT WHAT THEY DO THAT MATTERS.

REMEMBER, LISTEN TO WHAT PEOPLE SAY BUT WATCH WHAT THEY DO.

IT'S TIME FOR ACTION.

GENERATIONS OF AMERICANS ARE COUNTING ON US.

LET'S NOT LET THEM DOWN.

THANK YOU FOR LISTENING.

GOD BLESS AMERICA.

GOOD NIGHT.

>> AND THAT WAS THE DEMOCRATIC RESPONSE TO THE PRESIDENT'S STATE OF THE UNION.

IT WAS GIVEN BY THE GOVERNOR OF MICHIGAN, GRETCHEN WHITMER.

SPEAKING AS I SAID FOR THE DEMOCRATS.

SHE WAS SPEAKING FROM A HIGH SCHOOL IN EAST LANCING IN MICHIGAN.

I WANT TO COME QUICKLY TO YOU, MATT SCHLAPP BECAUSE SHE TALKED ABOUT AT ONE POINT SHE SAID WE NEED AN ECONOMY THAT'S STRONG BUT A DIFFERENT KIND OF STRONG AND SHE TALKED ABOUT TEACHERS AND YOUNG PEOPLE WHO NEED THE OPPORTUNITY TO PURSUE THE KIND OF WORK THAT THEY WANT TO DO.

>> YES.

THIS IS A TYPICAL THEME, RIGHT WHICH IS HEY THE WEALTH ISN'T GOING TO THE RIGHT PEOPLE OR MAYBE JUST GOING TO THE PEOPLE AT THE TOP.

THAT'S WHY PEOPLE'S ATTITUDES ON THE ECONOMIES ARE IMPORTANT.

WHAT YOU'RE SEEING WITH THE FIRST BURST OF INCREASE OF INCOME AT THE LOWER END IS THAT PEOPLE FEEL MORE OPTIMISTIC UNDER TRUMP'S ECONOMY THAN THEY DID IN ALL EIGHT YEARS OF OBAMA'S ECONOMY.

THAT'S ONE OF THE REASONS THAT GAL THAT CAME OUT 47%.

THAT'S A BIG BOLD NUMBER FOR HIM.

I DON'T THINK THAT WOULD HAPPEN IF PEOPLE FELT A LOT OF ECONOMIC INSECURITY.

>> JAMAL SIMMONS, REFERRING BACK TO WHAT YOU WERE SAYING EARLIER ABOUT HOW YOU SAID AMONG OTHERS, AFRICAN AMERICANS HAVEN'T BENEFITED AS MUCH AS PRESIDENT TRUMP WOULD HAVE YOU BELIEVE.

BUT THE ECONOMY IS GOING STRONG IN MANY RESPECTS.

IT'S NOT JUST THE STOCK MARKET, IT IS THE UNEMPLOYMENT RATE, AN HISTORIC LOW.

HOW MUCH OF A CHALLENGE IS THAT FOR DEMOCRATS.

WE JUST HEARD A DEMOCRATIC GOVERNOR TRYING TO MAKE THE CASE.

WE NEED A LEADER WHO IS GOING TO BE DIFFERENT, A DIFFERENT KIND OF HELP, BRING A DIFFERENT KIND OF HELP IN OUR ECONOMY.

>> AS I WAS MENTIONING BEFORE, THE FUNDAMENTAL PART OF THE TRUMP APPROACH IS THAT HE'S STANDING UP FOR A VERSION OF AMERICA THAT IS, THAT SEEMS TO BE UNFAMILIAR TO WHAT MOST AMERICANS THINK ABOUT.

YOU KNOW, THE PRESIDENT, FIRST OF ALL I GIVE CREDIT TO MY HOME STATE GOVERNOR GRETCHEN WHITMER AND THE LIEUTENANT GOVERN BECAUSE I THINK THEY ARE DOING A GOOD JOB IN DIVERSE ADMINISTRATION, CRIMINAL JUSTICE REFORM, THEY ARE DOING A GOOD JOB.

BUT THE PRESIDENT KEEPS A LOT OF PROMISES, AGAIN I LOOKED IT UP, POLITI-FACT.

HE'S BROKEN 17% OF HIS PROMISE YOU.

PRESIDENT OBAMA KEPT 75% OF HIS PROMISES.

WHEN PRESIDENTS MAKE THESE STATEMENTS THEY ARE ROOTED IN SOMETHING BUT THEY'RE NOT OFTEN ROOTED IN THE TRUTH.

>> WE'LL COME BACK TO THAT.

IN JUST A MINUTE I WANT TO GIVE A DIFFERENT PERSPECTIVE BUT I WANT TO GO TO THE CAPITOL TO OUR LISA DESJARDINS, OUR CONGRESSIONAL CORRESPONDENT.

LISA YOU WERE IN THE CHAMBER FOR MUCH OF THE PRESIDENT'S ADDRESS TONIGHT.

>> THAT'S RIGHT.

AND IT WAS EXTRAORDINARY, JUDY.

THE CHAMBER IS AS PARTISAN AS I'VE EVER FELT IT.

USUALLY THE PRESIDENT'S TEAM IS CHEERING WILDLY.

THAT HAPPENED TONIGHT AGAIN AND AGAIN BUT WHAT WAS DIFFERENT TONIGHT JUDY IS I THINK I HEARD DEMOCRATS BEING MORE VOCAL AS A GROUP PUSHING BACK AT A PRESIDENT THAN I EVER HEARD BEFORE.

AT ONE POINT THEY WERE CHANTING HR3, HR3.

THAT'S A PRESCRIPTION DRUG BILL THAT HOUSE DEMOCRATS HAD WHICH HAS BEEN KIND OF LEFT TO THE SIDE IN THE SENATE, IS MALINGERING THERE.

THEY WERE FIGHTING FOR THAT.

BUT THERE'S MORE YOU CAN SEE ON THE FACES, THERE SEEMS TO BE A REAL PERSONAL DIVIDE IN THAT CHAMBER.

WHEN I TALKED TO DEMOCRATS JUST NOW COMING OUT OF THE CHAMBER, CONGRESSWOMAN BARBARA LEE.

SHE HAD THE IDEA OF THE AFRICAN AMERICANS YOU WERE TALKING ABOUT, I BELIEVE.

SHE DIDN'T FEEL IT WAS SINCERE.

I'M SURE REPUBLICANS FEEL THE OPPOSITE.

I TALKED TO CONGRESSMAN JOAQUIN CASTRO.

HE MADE THE POINT, THEY JUST DON'T BELIEVE THIS PRESIDENT.

I ASKED HIM THOUGH, WHAT DID YOU THINK ABOUT THE NEW ELEMENTS TONIGHT WITH RUSH LIMBAUGH GETTING THE CONGRESSIONAL MEDAL OF FREEDOM, A MOTHER BEING REUNITED WITH HER HUSBAND WHO WAS DEPLOYED AND HE ADMITTED THAT WAS POWERFUL.

THAT WAS SOMETHING HE HADN'T SEEN BEFORE.

HERE'S A PRESIDENT, HE'S A SHOWMAN AND HE WAS ABLE TO DO IT IN THE CHAMBER TONIGHT AND IT WAS POWERFUL IN THE CHAMBER, DEMOCRATS ADMIT IT.

>> VERY DIFFICULT NOT TO BE MOVED BY MUCH OF WHAT WE SAW AS THE PRESIDENT INTRODUCED HIS GUESTS IN THE GALLERY.

I WANT TO GO NOW TO YAMICHE.

>> HE WANTED TO MAKE AN OPTIMISTIC SPEECH THAN HE DID THREE YEARS AGO TALKING ABOUT AMERICAN CARNAGE AND FACTORIES CLOSING AND LOOKING LIKE GRAVE YARDS ACROSS THE COUNTRY.

INSTEAD HE WANT TO TALK ABOUT THE GREAT AMERICAN COME BACK.

THAT WAS THE THEME OF THE SPEECH.

HE WANT TO REMIND PEOPLE AND TALK ABOUT WHAT HE THINKS WERE HIS BIG ELSE ACCOMPLISHMENTS.

THIS SPEECH WAS PART CAMPAIGN RALLY PART TV REALITY SHOW BUT NOT IN A DERROGATORY WAY.

THERE WERE POINTS THAT LISA POINTED OUT THERE WERE POINTS THAT MADE YOU FEEL SOMETHING.

RUSH LIMBAUGH GETTING THE MEDAL OF FREEDOM.

HE SAID HE HAD LUNG CANCER AND MANY PEOPLE ARE FOCUSED AND SAD.

A LOT OF DEMOCRATS SEE HIM AS CONTROVERSIAL AND RACIST FOR SOME OF THE THINGS HE SAID SPECIFICALLY ABOUT PRESIDENT TRUMP AND PRESIDENT OBAMA NOT BEING BORN IN THIS COUNTRY.

OF COURSE THAT WAS A CONSPIRACY THEORY THAT WASN'T TRUE BUT THERE WERE MOMENTS WHERE HE REUNITED A WIFE WITH HER HUSBAND WHO WAS DEPLOYED ABROAD AND THIS FEELING YOU COULD SEE IN THE WIFE'S EYES SHE WAS MOVED AND SHE FELT SOMETHING ABOUT THAT.

HE ALSO GAVE A SCHOLARSHIP TO A YOUNG CHILD AND FOCUSING ON SCHOOL CHOICE WHICH IS AN ISSUE THAT DEMOCRATS LARGELY SPLIT.

A LOT OF AFRICAN AMERICAN WOMEN DO SUPPORT SCHOOL.

A REPUBLICAN WON THE STATE AND GOT A LOT OF SUPPORT FROM BLACK WOMEN SAYING WE WANT SCHOOL CHOICE.

I HAVE TO FACT CHECK IMMIGRATION, TALKING ABOUT IMMIGRANTS COMMITTING CRIMES.

STUDIES AFTER STUDIES SHOW IMMIGRANTS, UNDOCUMENTED IMMIGRANTS ARE LESS LIKELY TO COMMIT A CRIME THAN U.S. CITIZENS.

HE ALSO TALKED ABOUT THE BORDER WALL.

LESS THAN ONE MILE IS NEW BORDER WALL AND HE'S TALKING ABOUT EXISTING.

AND LASTLY ABOUT HEALTHCARE TALKING ABOUT PREEXISTING CONDITIONS AND DEMOCRATS OF COURSE SAY THAT'S THOUGHT TRUE, HE'S FIGHTING THAT AND ACTUALLY TRYING TO GET AWAY FROM THE AFFORDABLE CARE ACT.

>> YAMICHE.

SENATOR GIVEN WHAT'S BEEN GOING ON THE LAST FEW WEEKS WITH THE IMPEACHMENT TRIAL IN THE SENATE, GIVEN EVERYTHING ELSE, WHAT WAS THE MAIN MESSAGE YOU TOOK TONIGHT FROM THE PRESIDENT?

>> FIRST OF ALL WE WERE HAPPY HE WAS ENERGETIC, THAT HE TALKED ABOUT THE THINGS WE'VE DONE RIGHT SO FAR.

THE BEST UNEMPLOYMENT IN YEARS.

THE FACT THAT OUR ECONOMY IS GOING, NEW TRADE DEALS AND SO FORTH.

BUT HE ALSO A VERY EMOTIONAL TYPE TALKING ABOUT REAL PEOPLE WITH REAL CHALLENGES AND RECOGNIZING INDIVIDUALS HAVE DONE GOOD THINGS FOR OUR COUNTRY.

AND THEN HE ENDED WITH TALKING ABOUT THE FUTURE AND I THINK THAT'S WHAT WE WERE HOPING THE PRESIDENT TALK ABOUT NOT ONLY WHAT HE'S ACCOMPLISHED SO FAR BUT TO GO ON TO SAY THERE'S MORE TO BE DONE AND MORE OPPORTUNITIES OUT THERE AND GOOD THINGS TO BE DONE.

AND HE TALKS ABOUT LEGAL IMMIGRATION.

HE TALKED ABOUT OUR FUTURE AND HE TALKS ABOUT MAKING CHANGES IN HEALTHCARE.

PRESCRIPTION DRUGS HE WANTS TO SEE SOMETHING DONE ON THAT.

IN THE UNITED STATES SENATE THERE'S A REAL MOVE THERE.

HE TALKS ABOUT GETTING RID OF SURPRISE BILLING ON MEDICAL CHARGES.

THAT'S A POSITIVE THING.

REPUBLICANS AND DEMOCRATS GET ALONG.

ONE OF THE BIGGEST CHEERS WHEN WE STARTED TALKING ABOUT FIXING OUR INFRASTRUCTURE THE PRESIDENT MADE THAT AN ISSUE HE WANT TO DO.

AND THAT WAS REPUBLICANS AND DEMOCRATS BOTH.

I THINK ONCE WE TAKE CARE OF THE IMPEACHMENT ISSUES TOMORROW, AND THAT WILL BE DONE TOMORROW, I THINK MOST PEOPLE IN THE COUNTRY WANT TO SEE THEM GET BACK DOWN AND FOCUS ON THE CHALLENGE THAT OUR ENTIRE COUNTRY HAS.

>> SENATOR JUST QUICKLY I'M SURE YOU KNOW THAT DEMOCRATS ARE SAYING SOME OF WHAT THE PRESIDENT SAID TONIGHT BELIES WHERE HIS POLICY HAS BEEN.

FOR EXAMPLE THE ADMINISTRATION IS IN THE COURT.

BASICALLY TRYING TO UNDO THE HEALTHCARE LAW THAT WAS PASSED UNDER PRESIDENT OBAMA THAT WOULD PROTECT PREEXISTING CONDITIONS.

DEMOCRATS ALSO POINT OUT THIS IS A PRESIDENT WHO HAS NOT COME TO THE TABLE AND TRIED TO REACH AN AGREEMENT ON REDUCING THE COST OF PRESCRIPTION DRUGS.

SO TO WHAT EXTENT SHOULD WE BE HOLDING HIM AND HIS ADMINISTRATION ACCOUNTABLE FOR WHAT'S ACTUALLY HAPPENING?

>> I CAN TELL YOU THAT WITHIN OUR CONFERENCE, WE WANT TO KEEP PREEXISTING CONDITIONS COVERED.

BUT ALSO EVEN BEFORE OBAMACARE CAME IN IN PLACES LIKE SOUTH DAKOTA, PREEXISTING CONDITIONS WAS NEVER AN ISSUE AFTER THAT.

THERE ARE A LOT OF US THAT UNDERSTAND WE DON'T WANT TO HAVE PREEXISTING CONDITIONS BE A PROBLEM IN THE FUTURE.

IN FACT THE ALEXANDER MURRAY PROPOSAL WHICH WE WERE SUPPORTING WOULD ACTUALLY HAVE REDUCED THE COST AND IT WOULD HAVE KEPT PREEXISTING CONDITIONS AT BAY.

SO THERE HAVE BEEN OPTIONS MADE AVAILABLE TO US IN THE PAST THAT I THINK THE PRESIDENT WOULD LIKE TO SEE BROUGHT IN AGAIN.

AS A MATTER OF FACT, ONE OF THE ITEMS WHEN IT CAME TO THE PROPOSAL OF WHAT WE CALL THE ALEXANDER MURRAY PROPOSAL IN THE SENATE WAS THE FACT IF OBAMACARE IS IDENTIFIED AS NOT BEING VALID ANYMORE, IT WILL PUSH PEOPLE TO COME TOGETHER TO ACTUALLY CREATE A PRODUCT THAT IS AFFORDABLE.

AND I THINK THAT'S WHERE THE PRESIDENT IS GOING.

>> SENATOR MIKE ROUNDS OF SOUTH DAKOTA.

THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR MAKING TIME TO TALK WITH US, WE APPRECIATE IT.

JAMAL SIMMONS, BACK HERE AT THE TABLE.

YOU'RE HEARING THIS REPUBLICAN SENATOR SUPPORTER SAY THIS IS WHAT WE WANT, WE WANT TO DO THIS.

DEMOCRATS ARE SAYING WE HAVEN'T SEEN IT FROM THE ADMINISTRATION.

>> THAT'S RIGHT.

THEY'RE HAVING TWO DIFFERENT CONVERSATIONS AND FRANKLY THE PRESIDENT IS GETTING THE BEST OF THE DEMOCRATS ON THIS ONE.

BACK IN 1996 WHEN BILL CLINTON WAS RUNNING FOR RE-ELECTION PEOPLE WERE SAYING HE WAS PLAYING SMALL BALLS.

MAYBE THE SCHOOL UNIFORMS WERE TOO SMALL.

PRESIDENT TRUMP HE DIDN'T DO SCHOOL UNIFORMS.

HE WAS GIVING OUT INDIVIDUAL GRANTS OF FAVORS AS IF HE WAS SORT OF THE KING BESTOWING IT UPON A NEW SUBJECT.

WHETHER IT WAS A MEDAL OF FREEDOM OR A SCHOLARSHIP IN THESE VERY SMALL INDIVIDUAL THINGS.

IT'S GREAT THEATRE.

PEOPLE IN THE COUNTRY ARE USED TO SEEING THIS KIND OF THING NOW ON THE TELEVISION, A GREAT INFRASTRUCTURE CONVERSATIONS WITH GRETCHEN WHITMER BUT IT'S HARD TO COMPETE WITH THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES REUNITING A FAMILY ON TELEVISION.

>> VERY TOUGH.

MATT SCHLAPP HOW SERIOUS IS THIS PRESIDENT ABOUT WANTING TO WORK WITH DEMOCRATS.

HOW MUCH IS HE WILLING TO COMPROMISE.

HOW MUCH DO YOU THINK THEY ARE WILLING TO COMPROMISE TO BRING DOWN THE PRICE OF PRESCRIPTION DRUGS.

TO DO THINGS ABOUT INFRASTRUCTURE.

THESE ARE THINGS WE'RE HEARING FOR THREE YEARS.

>> THE PRESIDENT LED ON CRIMINAL JUSTICE REFORM WHICH IS ONE OF THE FEW LEGISLATIVE AWE CHEACHIEVEMENTSOUT SIDE THE BUDN WITH NANCY PELOSI'S EVENTUAL SUPPORT WHICH AT LEAST IF YOU BELIEVE THE DEMOCRATS KIND OF BEHIND THE SCENE TALKING, THEY FELT LIKE THEY NEEDED TO DO SOMETHING BESIDES JUST IMPEACHING THE PRESIDENT.

I DON'T SEE ANY ATTITUDE.

PELOSI LITERALLY RIPPED HIS SPEECH IN HALF AT THE END OF THIS.

HE DIDN'T SHAKE HIS HAND.

I DON'T SEE MUCH WILLINGNESS.

THE PRESIDENT IS GOING TO PUSH HIS ADVANTAGE LIKE EVERYTHING OBAMA DID WITH A PHONE AND A PEN AND EXECUTIVE POWERS.

IF HE GETS RE-ELECTED THAT'S WHERE RESTART HAPPENS.

>> YOU DON'T HAVE TO REMIND OTHER, WE ARE NINE MONTHS TEN MONTHS FROM THE NEXT ELECTION.

>> IT CAN'T COME SOON ENOUGH.

>> MATT SCHLAPP, JAMAL SIMMONS.

WE THANK YOU BOTH BEING HERE AT THE TABLE WITH ME, YAMICHE AT THE AT THE WHITE AND LISA DESJARDINS AND THAT'S OUR STATE OF THE UNION ADDRESS AND RESPONSE.

STAY WITH US AS OUR COVERAGE CONTINUES ON-LINE.

AND THEN AGAIN TOMORROW STARTING AT 3:45PM EASTERN FOR LIVE SPECIAL COVERAGE OF THE FINAL VOTE IN THE IMPEACHMENT TRIAL OF PRESIDENT TRUMP.

I'M JUDY WOODRUFF.

FOR ALL OF US HERE AT THE CBS NEWSHOUR, THANK YOU AND WE'LL SEE YOU SOON.

>> THIS PROGRAM WAS MADE POSSIBLE BY VIEWERS LIKE YOU.

THANK YOU.

Captioning sponsored by NEWSHOUR PRODUCTIONS, LLC Captioned by Media Access Group at WGBH access.wgbh.org