President Donald Trump delivered his first State of the Union (SOTU) address of his second term earlier this week, facing his lowest approval rating and at a time when most Americans view the union as weak. SOTU addresses are typically a time for sitting presidents to tout accomplishments, discuss actions taken to fulfil campaign promises, and outline their agendas for the next two years in office.
Trump did not do any of those things. His campaign promises centered around making life affordable for everyday Americans who have eaten the cost of his unpredictable tariffs, yet Trump criticized the Supreme Court’s decision that the tariffs were unconstitutional. In his effort to consolidate power, Trump did not make any demands of Congress either.
He did, however, follow common practice of inflating and dramaticising the state. He painted gory pictures of immigrants and culture, claiming border crossings have been reduced to zero. He both disparaged and praised the economy, blaming former president Joe Biden for its faults, and touting pride for the stock market – a financial indicator that only affects the wealthiest Americans.
In his endless effort for the Nobel Peace Prize, Trump claimed he has ended eight wars during his second term. While he can take credit for brokering a ceasefire in the Gaza strip, Israel has continued to carry out airstrikes in the region, against the terms of the ceasefire.
Lawmakers in Congress reacted exactly as you would expect: Republicans giving a standing ovation like puppets on a string at each pause, and Democrats sitting stoically. As usual, there were a few outbursts from the left side of the room, criticizing Trump.
Rep. Al Green was escorted out shortly after the start, holding a handpainted banner reading “BLACK PEOPLE AREN’T APES,” in response to Trump’s racist post depicting former President Barack Obama and former First Lady Michelle Obama as apes at the start of Black History Month. Republican lawmakers walked up to Rep. Green and attempted to take the sign out of his hand.
Rep. Green’s one-man protest is not out of character. At last year’s Joint Address to Congress, Rep. Green loudly criticized Trump’s attack on Medicaid over a roaring Republican effort to drown him out. Rep. Green was escorted out of that address as well.
Rep. Ilhan Omar and Rep. Rashida Tlaib repeatedly called out against Trump’s attacks on immigrants. As Trump attacked Somali immigrants, Rep. Omar, a Somali American representing a district in Michigan, called out, “You have killed Americans. You should be ashamed!”
Trump responded by saying, “They want to cheat. … They have cheated, and their policy is so bad that the only way they can get elected is to cheat. … These people are crazy. I’m telling you, they’re crazy.”
The Democratic response to the SOTU address was given by Virginia Governor Abigail Spanberger, emphasizing the rising costs and diminished safety on the streets of the United States.
“The damage has already been done,” she stated, referencing the rising costs due to tariffs, the thousands of citizens who have lost their healthcare, and the American citizens who have died at the hands of ICE.
While the damage may be done, the actions of Democratic lawmakers during the SOTU address shows that the fight is not over, and a few federal representatives are as angry as the rest of us. Gov. Spanberger encouraged citizens to vote in their local and state elections in order to swing the pendulum back.
**Mavrie has been serving as editor for the ThunderWord since 2024. She is also the founding president of Highline’s Non-fiction Writers Circle.**