Trump set to address Congress in seventh week back in Oval Office
President Donald Trump’s seventh week in office was highlighted by his first joint session of Congress address since his return to the Oval Office in January. Scheduled to speak before all members of Congress on Tuesday at 9 p.m. ET, Trump’s address is not officially called the State of the Union, as he has not been in office for a full year, but it serves a similar purpose. The yearly presidential address is meant to showcase the administration’s achievements and policies.
Throughout his tenure, Trump and his administration have been working tirelessly to realign the federal government with the president’s Make America Great Again policies. Department of Government Efficiency chair Elon Musk and his team have been diligently examining federal agencies in search of overspending, fraud, and mismanagement, while also prioritizing border security. Since his inauguration in January, the 47th president has signed at least 76 executive orders, in addition to numerous other executive actions and proclamations.
The joint session of Congress address comes on the heels of a fiery meeting between Trump, Vice President JD Vance, and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. The meeting took a tense turn in its final minutes when Trump accused Zelenskyy of gambling with the lives of millions and disrespecting the United States. Following the meeting, Trump took to social media to state that Zelenskyy could return to the White House “when he is ready for peace.”
In response to the strained relations with Ukraine, world leaders, including U.K. Prime Minister Keir Starmer, have expressed support for Zelenskyy and have been working on a potential peace deal. Starmer announced that the U.K. is prepared to back this effort with boots on the ground and planes in the air, emphasizing the need for strong U.S. backing to achieve lasting peace in the region.
In addition to addressing Congress and the ongoing Ukraine situation, Trump is expected to impose tariffs on Canada and Mexico this week. Last month, he signed an executive order authorizing tariffs on these countries under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act. Both Canada and Mexico agreed to concessions with Trump, including sending additional security personnel to their borders with the U.S., in exchange for a one-month pause on the tariffs. However, Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick has confirmed that the tariffs will go into effect on Tuesday, though the specifics have not been disclosed yet.
As Trump continues to navigate complex foreign relations and domestic policy issues, his joint session of Congress address will be a key moment to outline his administration’s progress and future plans. The American public and the international community will be closely watching to see how Trump addresses these critical issues and sets the tone for the remainder of his presidency.
