Trump speech strikes an optimistic tone
‘Time for small thinking is over,’ president says
WASHINGTON - President Donald Trump used his first address to Congress on Tuesday to proclaim American greatness and push an ambitious agenda of economic nationalism, declaring, “The time for small thinking is over. The time for trivial fights is behind us.”
In a speech that combined his “America First” campaign themes with the first outlines of a legislative program, Trump opened the possibility of comprehensive immigration deal, pitched $1 trillion for “Buy American, Hire American” infrastructure spending, and said he would propose “historic” tax cuts.
But first, he recounted his election victory, describing it as a “quiet protest” that “became an earthquake.”
“People turned out by the tens of millions, and they were all united by one very simple, but crucial demand, that America must put its own citizens
first, because only then, can we truly ‘Make America Great Again,’ ” he said.
Immigration has dominated Trump’s turbulent 51⁄2 weeks in the White House, and Trump touted his plans to build a wall along the U.S.-Mexico border and ban travel from seven Muslim majority nations. Trump is expected to issue an updated order Wednesday to revive the travel ban that has been blocked by the courts.
“It is not compassionate, but reckless, to allow uncontrolled entry from places where proper vetting cannot occur,” Trump said. “We cannot allow a beachhead of terrorism to form inside America — we cannot allow our nation to become a sanctuary for extremists.”
Trump described the threat in terms his predecessor never did: “Radical Islamic terrorism.”
But for the first time, Trump also opened a crack in the window to a comprehensive immigration overhaul — a goal that has bedeviled the past two presidents — calling for an Australian-style “merit-based immigration system” that would favor middle-class immigrants to the country.
“I believe that real and positive immigration reform is possible, as long as we focus on the following goals: to improve jobs and wages for Americans, to strengthen our nation’s security, and to restore respect for our laws,” he said. “If we are guided by the well-being of American citizens, then I believe Republicans and Democrats can work together to achieve an outcome that has eluded our country for decades.”
In previewing his remarks, Trump told a group of television news anchors that he might pursue a compromise immigration bill with Congress, possibly one with a path to legalization for migrants who are in the country illegally but otherwise have no criminal records. “The time is right for an immigration bill as long as there is compromise on both sides,” Trump said.
But that language was missing from the text of his speech, which instead emphasized what Trump says are the economic benefits of strict immigration enforcement: “By finally enforcing our immigration laws, we will raise wages, help the unemployed, save billions of dollars, and make our communities safer for everyone,” he said.
The president’s first speech to Congress also included a laundry list of policy proposals. Among the issues on Trump’s list:
Health care: “Mandating every American to buy government approved health insurance was never the right solution for America. The way to make health insurance available to everyone is to lower the costs of health insurance and that is what we will do . ... Obamacare is collapsing — and we must act decisively to protect all Americans. Action is not a choice — it is a necessity.” Taxes: “My economic team is developing historic tax reform that will reduce the tax rate on our companies so they can compete and thrive anywhere and with anyone. At the same time, we will provide massive tax relief for the middle class.”
Child care: “My administration wants to work with members in both parties to make child care accessible and affordable to help ensure new parents have paid family leave, to invest in women’s health, and to promote clean air and clean water and rebuild our military infrastructure.”
Trump opened the speech by condemning recent hate incidents, including vandalism at Jewish cemeteries and bomb threats against Jewish community centers, as well as last week’s shooting of two Indian men in Kansas. “While we may be a nation divided on policies, we are a country that stands united in condemning hate and evil in all its forms,” Trump said.
Such speeches are often visible reminders of the partisan divisions in Congress, and the 2017 version reflected a role reversal of the last eight years: This time, Republicans stood and cheered while Democrats mostly sat mute. Sen. Joe Manchin (D-W.Va.) was the only Democrat to stand when Trump uttered his slogan “Make America Great Again.”
As with previous presidential addresses before Congress, members of both parties brought guests to help illustrate their political agendas.
But the emotional fulcrum of the evening came in Trump’s tribute to Navy SEAL William “Ryan” Owens, who was killed in an anti-terrorism operation in Yemen last month. With his widow, Carryn, sitting next to first daughter Ivanka Trump in the gallery, Trump credited Owens for being part of a “highly successful raid” that generated intelligence that will save even more American lives.
“Ryan’s legacy is etched into eternity,” Trump said, leading to nearly two minutes of sustained applause while tears streamed down Carryn Owens’ face.
“Ryan is looking down right now — you know that — and I think he’s very happy, because I think he just broke a record” for a standing ovation, Trump said.