A moderate Trump arrives
But North Korea remains a target
A REFRESHINGLY moderate Donald Trump reserved his only harsh words for America’s enemies, namely North Korea, during his first State of the Union address.
Mr Trump’s hawkish stance on North Korea has been credited with drawing China into line on the international response to Kim Jong-un’s nuclear ambitions, with Beijing voting for the harshest ever UN sanctions against Pyongyang.
The strongest criticism in his speech was directed towards the rogue state and he re-told the story of student Otto Warmbier, who died after months of torture there, and introduced as his guest a Seoul-based North Korean defector who helped people escape the “depraved” regime.
“North Korea’s reckless pursuit of nuclear missiles could very soon threaten our homeland,” Mr Trump said.
“We are waging a campaign of maximum pressure to prevent that from happening.
“Past experience has taught us that complacency and concessions only invite aggression and provocation.
“I will not repeat the mistakes of past administrations that got us into this dangerous position.”
He said he would revise America’s military detention policy and pledged to keep open Guantanamo Bay.
“In the past, we have foolishly released hundreds of dangerous terrorists, only to meet them again on the battlefield,” he said.
During his 80-minute speech, Mr Trump outlined a more generous immigration policy than anticipated.
He said he would clear the citizenship path for
1.8 million so-called “dreamers”, who were brought to the US by their illegal immigrant parents as children.
The Obama administration had granted them work rights and removed the threat of deportation in 2012 in a scheme known as Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals, but President Trump said last September he would wind the program down.
Congress is negotiating what to do about the dreamers ahead of a March 5 deadline set by the President.
Democrats have tied this question to budget talks, resulting in a brief shutdown of the government this month, and there is little sign of agreement ahead of February 8, when the government will again run out of money without bipartisan agreement on raising stiff spending caps.
“Under our plan, those who meet education and work requirements, and show good moral character, will be able to become full citizens of the United States,” Mr Trump said.
The President also reiterated his plan to build the wall with Mexico, end the Green Card visa lottery and chain migration.
“It is time to begin moving towards a merit-based immigration system – one that admits people who are skilled, who want to work, who will contribute to our society, and who will love and respect our country,” he said.
“In recent weeks, two terrorist attacks in New York were made possible by the visa lottery and chain migration. In the age of terrorism, these programs present risks we can no longer afford.”
Mr Trump walked into the House of Representatives to a roaring four minute applause, mostly from members of his own party as the Democrats remained stone-faced.