In his first six weeks, President Trump has issued numerous executive actions and reshaped the federal bureaucracy. He will address Congress, outlining priorities like immigration, tariffs, and government spending cuts, although it’s not an official State of the Union. Trump aims to present himself as a peacemaker, discussing plans to end conflicts in Ukraine and Gaza amidst a looming government shutdown. He’ll explain his controversial military aid suspension to Ukraine and his relationship with Elon Musk, while navigating Republican divisions on legislative strategy. Democrats, facing challenges, will respond to Trump’s address amidst their struggles in the current political landscape.
In just six weeks since taking office, President Trump has made significant waves in Washington by issuing numerous executive orders and initiating a sweeping transformation of the federal government.
On Tuesday, he is set to highlight these actions and share his agenda during an address to a joint session of Congress. Although this speech is not formally recognized as the State of the Union given his recent inauguration, it will bear a resemblance to the tradition, with all three branches of government assembled in the House chamber.
As is customary in such addresses, Mr. Trump will likely review a list of his achievements—covering topics like immigration, tariffs, and reductions in government expenditure—while also outlining his intentions for the upcoming months.
Mr. Trump aims to be seen as a “peacemaker,” so he is anticipated to discuss his strategies for concluding conflicts in Ukraine and Gaza. Furthermore, he will need to tackle the funding standoff developing in Congress. Should a new spending bill not be passed by March 14, a government shutdown will ensue.
Here are four questions to ponder before Mr. Trump takes the stage at 9 p.m.
What will Trump say about Putin and Zelensky?
On Monday, Mr. Trump announced a temporary halt to U.S. military aid to Ukraine, following a tense meeting with President Volodymyr Zelensky. On Tuesday, he will have the chance to clarify this decision and outline future U.S. support for the troubled nation.
The president is not particularly fond of Mr. Zelensky and has signaled a desire for a markedly different strategy than that of the Biden administration, which provided billions in aid and weaponry to counter Russia’s full invasion three years prior.
Mr. Trump has been urging Ukraine to agree to a cease-fire with Russia under U.S.-negotiated terms. Mr. Zelensky has hesitated to engage, noting that prior discussions did not include Ukrainian input or American security pledges to prevent future Russian attacks. Tensions boiled over in the Oval Office partly because Mr. Zelensky reminded Mr. Trump and Vice President JD Vance that Russia has frequently violated cease-fires with Ukraine.
“I just think he should be more appreciative,” Mr. Trump commented regarding Mr. Zelensky on Monday.
Mr. Trump has expressed a desire to act as a mediator between Russia and Ukraine, which has led him to adopt a softer stance toward Russia and its leader, Vladimir V. Putin. However, after Mr. Zelensky left Washington without finalizing an accord for U.S. access to Ukraine’s revenue from rare earth minerals, the next steps towards peace remain ambiguous.
What does Trump say about Elon Musk and his team?
Mr. Musk, who is anticipated to attend on Tuesday, has exerted considerable influence within the Trump administration. He has been steering the Department of Government Efficiency’s initiatives to trim government spending, a process that has generated confusion as it results in job cuts and funding reductions across federal agencies, inciting multiple lawsuits.
Up to this point, Mr. Trump has commended Mr. Musk’s contributions and encouraged him to “become more assertive.” However, some Republicans are beginning to feel the heat from their constituents regarding Mr. Musk’s actions, leading some of Trump’s allies to privately question how long the president will tolerate sharing the limelight with the wealthiest man in the world.
How will the divisions among Republicans play out?
Mr. Trump has encountered minimal opposition in the initial weeks of his second term. Apart from Matt Gaetz, who pulled out of the attorney general race, Mr. Trump’s administration nominees are poised for rapid confirmation by the Senate. Republicans seem united in supporting Mr. Trump’s more conciliatory stance towards Russia, including those who had previously been staunch backers of Ukraine and Mr. Zelensky.
However, even with Republican control over both the House and Senate, there remain significant disagreements regarding legislative strategy. This will reach a critical point in the coming days as lawmakers must decide whether to extend funding or risk a government shutdown next week. Furthermore, concerning his legislative agenda funding, Mr. Trump seeks Congress to allocate more resources for immigration enforcement and defense while slashing taxes and federal programs. The exact method lawmakers will use to accomplish these aims is still uncertain.
How will Democrats react?
Democrats have experienced a challenging few months. Their party is currently out of power, largely lacking leadership, and has struggled to effectively respond to the rapid pace of Trump administration activities. Some party officials have acknowledged their difficulties in establishing a counter-narrative to the president.
On Tuesday night, congressional Democrats will face their first significant encounter with Mr. Trump in front of an expectedly large national audience. They will have to decide when to applaud and how to express their dissent. Additionally, some Democrats have stated they are bringing former federal employees as guests to protest the mass firings initiated by the Trump administration.