Washington (Web Desk): In the opening address of his second presidential term, United States (US) President Donald Trump delivered a wide-ranging State of the Union speech outlining his administration’s stance on the economy, domestic governance, foreign affairs, and national security, while highlighting what he described as major achievements since returning to office.
President Trump began by reflecting on the United States’ 250th anniversary of independence, celebrated five months ago, saying the country was now entering a new chapter of growth and renewal.
He asserted that when he assumed office for his second term, the nation was grappling with severe economic instability and multiple crises, but claimed his administration had implemented sweeping reforms within a year that significantly improved economic conditions.
A central focus of his address was inflation. Trump argued that inflation had reached record highs during the tenure of his predecessor, Joe Biden, but said his administration’s policies had reduced it to 1.7 percent, pulling the country back from what he called its worst economic downturn in recent history.
Turning to energy, the president stated that US oil production had increased by more than 600,000 barrels per day, while natural gas output had climbed to historic highs. He described the surge in domestic energy production as further proof of America’s economic strength and self-reliance.
On foreign policy, Trump made a striking claim regarding South Asia, saying his administration had intervened to prevent a potential nuclear confrontation between Pakistan and India.
The US president claimed that the two nuclear-armed neighbours had been on the brink of war, and US diplomatic engagement averted catastrophic consequences.
He referenced former Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif as having acknowledged that Trump’s mediation helped save millions of lives.
Addressing border security, the president declared that US borders were now “fully secure,” asserting that no undocumented migrants had entered the country over the past nine months. He said his administration was actively deporting individuals residing in the country illegally, while welcoming those who pursue legal pathways to immigration.
Trump also defended his trade policies, arguing that his administration had safeguarded American economic interests globally and generated billions of dollars in revenue through tariffs.
He maintained that the imposition of global tariffs strengthened both the US economy and national security. However, he expressed disappointment over a Supreme Court ruling that found he had exceeded presidential authority in implementing certain tariffs.
Undeterred, the president announced plans to invoke Section 122 of US trade law to impose a new 15 percent global tariff, saying the move would further reinforce America’s trade position.
On Iran, President Trump reiterated his administration’s hardline approach, claiming that he had prevented Tehran from developing nuclear weapons and thwarted efforts to expand its missile capabilities.
He alleged that Iran had sought to produce missiles capable of reaching the US but said those ambitions were neutralized under his leadership.
While condemning the reported killing of 32,000 protesters by Iranian authorities, he emphasized that diplomatic channels remained preferable, though US policy on Iran’s nuclear program would remain uncompromising.
The president also praised the US armed forces and law enforcement agencies, pledging to make cities across the country as secure as the nation’s capital. In a lighter moment, he commended a national ice hockey team for its achievements, describing its success as a source of American pride.
The address was briefly disrupted by controversy in the House chamber as President Trump sharply criticised Democratic lawmakers after they chose not to stand when he invited those who believed “the first duty of the American government is to protect American citizens, not illegal aliens” to rise.
Republican legislators immediately stood and applauded at length, while Democrats stayed seated in silence. Rebuking their response, Trump told them, “You should be ashamed of yourselves, not standing up.”
The discord intensified as Democratic Representatives Ilhan Omar and Rashida Tlaib repeatedly interrupted the address, shouting, “You have killed Americans!” and “You should be ashamed!” Their vocal protests further inflamed the already tense atmosphere in the chamber.
Earlier in the proceedings, Representative Al Green was escorted out after raising a protest sign that read “Black People Aren’t Apes,” an apparent reference to a controversial video that Trump had shared on Truth Social depicting former President Barack Obama and former First Lady Michelle Obama as apes, a post that had drawn widespread backlash.
Throughout much of his remarks, Trump kept his focus largely on Republican lawmakers, who responded with sustained applause.
However, as he shifted to subjects including immigration, crime, election security and gender issues, he increasingly addressed Democrats directly, declaring: “These people are crazy, I’m telling ya, they’re crazy … Democrats are destroying our country, but we’ve stopped it just in the nick of time.”
Concluding his speech, Trump declared, “America is back,” calling the nation’s resurgence the “greatest comeback in centuries.” He said the US now stood stronger, wealthier, and more successful than ever before.