What Will Happen?
President Donald Trump will be giving his first State of the Union address on Tuesday, Jan. 30. The president gave a speech to a joint session of Congress on Feb. 28, 2017, but it was not an official State of the Union address. The hour-long speech will begin at 9 p.m.
The Latest
The president’s speech is expected to have the theme: “Building a safe, strong and proud America,” according to Reuters. The speech will also focus on five primary areas for the administration this year: jobs, infrastructure, immigration, trade and national security.
According to USA Today, the president is expected to speak about the nation’s economic success accompanying his first year in office. Trump is also expected to make remarks about his continued pursuit of the border wall and a new infrastructure proposal.
What’s next?
Lawmakers and political pundits will be keeping their eyes on whether Trump will stay on script or make more off-the-cuff remarks. Over the first year of his presidency, President Trump has made on-script, unifying speeches such as last February’s address to Congress, but he has also made statements that have sparked controversy such as a reference to “shithole” countries during a meeting with lawmakers on immigration earlier this month.
In Context
The speech comes after a three-day government shutdown, allegations that he considered firing Russia probe special counsel Robert Muller last June and a tumultuous first year in office. The speech is also eight days before another possible government shutdown on Feb. 8 should Congress not be able to pass another spending bill.
