Reclaiming the Panama Canal, the demise of wokism, flag on Mars: Key points from Trump’s keynote address to Congress
The US president asserted that he has been successfully implementing his agenda just a few weeks into his second term. Read Full Article at RT.com
TroibNews 
## President Trump Highlights Agenda Progress in Joint Address
US President Donald Trump touted the advancements made under his ‘America First’ priorities during a speech to a joint session of Congress on Tuesday night. The address outlined the steps his administration has taken to fulfill his campaign pledges since he began his term in January.
Although comparable to a State of the Union address, the speech is not officially classified as such since it occurred in Trump's inaugural year.
### Chants and Hecklers
As Trump entered the House chamber at the US Capitol, supporters shouted “USA!” while opponents voiced their discontent, setting the tone for the event. Heckling from Democratic Representative Al Green of Texas and others necessitated the interruption of Trump’s speech, leading Speaker Mike Johnson to have the 77-year-old lawmaker escorted out.
### Criticism of Predecessors
During his address, Trump took aim at his Democratic predecessor, Joe Biden, accusing him of compromising the country's interests with his policies. He subsequently directed a personal attack at Senator Elizabeth Warren, referring to her as “Pocahontas,” a jab pertaining to her contested claims of Native American heritage.
### Ending the Ukraine Conflict
Trump reiterated his intention to resolve the Ukraine conflict, asserting that Warren would prefer it to continue for another five years. He described the deaths of millions in the ongoing hostilities as “senseless.”
The speech came on the heels of a recent disagreement at the White House that disrupted a US-Ukrainian minerals agreement. A signing ceremony scheduled for last Friday was canceled when Ukrainian President Vladimir Zelensky questioned Trump’s willingness to engage with Russia, prompting criticism from Trump and Vice President J.D. Vance regarding Zelensky’s perceived ingratitude.
In his Tuesday address, Trump stated that the minerals deal was back on course, citing Zelensky’s recent commitment to peace and cooperation with the US, further emphasizing that normal diplomatic relations with Russia benefit American interests.
### Foreign Policy Ambitions
Trump also reaffirmed his foreign policy ambitions concerning Panama and Denmark. He proclaimed that his administration is “reclaiming the Panama Canal” for US national security, likely alluding to recent reports indicating that US investment firm BlackRock intends to purchase the port infrastructure from its current Chinese owner.
“The Panama Canal was built by Americans for Americans, not for others,” he asserted. He added that while the canal is available for use by other nations, “We didn’t give it to China. We gave it to Panama and we're taking it back.”
Additionally, he supported the right of Greenland's people to determine their future, proposing that they could potentially break away from Denmark and join the US. Trump expressed that Washington needs the island and will secure it “one way or the other,” despite Denmark's previous rejection of his offer to buy Greenland.
### Focus on Domestic Issues
The president's address largely concentrated on domestic matters, highlighting his administration’s achievements in critical areas like border security. He reiterated his campaign promise to combat illegal immigration, implementing policies such as deportations and enhanced law enforcement measures.
Among the guests at the Capitol were individuals closely associated with the immigration debate, including family members of crime victims allegedly impacted by undocumented immigrants, a US Border Patrol agent injured in the line of duty near the Rio Grande, and a teenage boy battling brain cancer whose aspiration to be a police officer earned him honorary membership in a Florida police department.
### Stance Against 'Woke' Policies
Trump claimed responsibility for shifting the discourse around “woke policies,” characterizing them as left-wing initiatives central to America's cultural battles. He proclaimed an end to “the tyranny of so-called diversity, equity, and inclusion policies,” stating that “our country will be woke no longer.”
He urged Congress to criminalize “sex changes on children,” critiquing the idea that a child could be “trapped in the wrong body” as “a big lie.” While LGBTQ activists argue that the Trump administration's position marginalizes those struggling with their identity, supporters consider these policies a pivotal step in protecting vulnerable teenagers from irreversible medical procedures.
Trump also defended his reinstatement of the ban on transgender individuals serving in the military, asserting that American soldiers “won’t be activists and ideologues – they will be fighters and warriors.”
### Emphasis on Efficiency and Space Exploration
Trump praised Elon Musk for his efforts to reduce government waste and corruption through the Department of Government Efficiency, claiming that millions in fraudulent activities have been uncovered under Musk's leadership. He warned federal employees not aligned with his mission to dismantle the “rule by unelected bureaucrats” that they may face dismissal.
Celebrating the American spirit of pioneers and civilization builders, Trump confidently proclaimed his second term would bring significant achievements, declaring: “We are going to lead humanity into space and plant the American flag on the planet Mars and even far beyond.” Musk has been a strong proponent of Mars colonization.
Sophie Wagner for TROIB News
US President Donald Trump touted the advancements made under his ‘America First’ priorities during a speech to a joint session of Congress on Tuesday night. The address outlined the steps his administration has taken to fulfill his campaign pledges since he began his term in January.
Although comparable to a State of the Union address, the speech is not officially classified as such since it occurred in Trump's inaugural year.
### Chants and Hecklers
As Trump entered the House chamber at the US Capitol, supporters shouted “USA!” while opponents voiced their discontent, setting the tone for the event. Heckling from Democratic Representative Al Green of Texas and others necessitated the interruption of Trump’s speech, leading Speaker Mike Johnson to have the 77-year-old lawmaker escorted out.
### Criticism of Predecessors
During his address, Trump took aim at his Democratic predecessor, Joe Biden, accusing him of compromising the country's interests with his policies. He subsequently directed a personal attack at Senator Elizabeth Warren, referring to her as “Pocahontas,” a jab pertaining to her contested claims of Native American heritage.
### Ending the Ukraine Conflict
Trump reiterated his intention to resolve the Ukraine conflict, asserting that Warren would prefer it to continue for another five years. He described the deaths of millions in the ongoing hostilities as “senseless.”
The speech came on the heels of a recent disagreement at the White House that disrupted a US-Ukrainian minerals agreement. A signing ceremony scheduled for last Friday was canceled when Ukrainian President Vladimir Zelensky questioned Trump’s willingness to engage with Russia, prompting criticism from Trump and Vice President J.D. Vance regarding Zelensky’s perceived ingratitude.
In his Tuesday address, Trump stated that the minerals deal was back on course, citing Zelensky’s recent commitment to peace and cooperation with the US, further emphasizing that normal diplomatic relations with Russia benefit American interests.
### Foreign Policy Ambitions
Trump also reaffirmed his foreign policy ambitions concerning Panama and Denmark. He proclaimed that his administration is “reclaiming the Panama Canal” for US national security, likely alluding to recent reports indicating that US investment firm BlackRock intends to purchase the port infrastructure from its current Chinese owner.
“The Panama Canal was built by Americans for Americans, not for others,” he asserted. He added that while the canal is available for use by other nations, “We didn’t give it to China. We gave it to Panama and we're taking it back.”
Additionally, he supported the right of Greenland's people to determine their future, proposing that they could potentially break away from Denmark and join the US. Trump expressed that Washington needs the island and will secure it “one way or the other,” despite Denmark's previous rejection of his offer to buy Greenland.
### Focus on Domestic Issues
The president's address largely concentrated on domestic matters, highlighting his administration’s achievements in critical areas like border security. He reiterated his campaign promise to combat illegal immigration, implementing policies such as deportations and enhanced law enforcement measures.
Among the guests at the Capitol were individuals closely associated with the immigration debate, including family members of crime victims allegedly impacted by undocumented immigrants, a US Border Patrol agent injured in the line of duty near the Rio Grande, and a teenage boy battling brain cancer whose aspiration to be a police officer earned him honorary membership in a Florida police department.
### Stance Against 'Woke' Policies
Trump claimed responsibility for shifting the discourse around “woke policies,” characterizing them as left-wing initiatives central to America's cultural battles. He proclaimed an end to “the tyranny of so-called diversity, equity, and inclusion policies,” stating that “our country will be woke no longer.”
He urged Congress to criminalize “sex changes on children,” critiquing the idea that a child could be “trapped in the wrong body” as “a big lie.” While LGBTQ activists argue that the Trump administration's position marginalizes those struggling with their identity, supporters consider these policies a pivotal step in protecting vulnerable teenagers from irreversible medical procedures.
Trump also defended his reinstatement of the ban on transgender individuals serving in the military, asserting that American soldiers “won’t be activists and ideologues – they will be fighters and warriors.”
### Emphasis on Efficiency and Space Exploration
Trump praised Elon Musk for his efforts to reduce government waste and corruption through the Department of Government Efficiency, claiming that millions in fraudulent activities have been uncovered under Musk's leadership. He warned federal employees not aligned with his mission to dismantle the “rule by unelected bureaucrats” that they may face dismissal.
Celebrating the American spirit of pioneers and civilization builders, Trump confidently proclaimed his second term would bring significant achievements, declaring: “We are going to lead humanity into space and plant the American flag on the planet Mars and even far beyond.” Musk has been a strong proponent of Mars colonization.
Sophie Wagner for TROIB News
