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Donald Trump declares "new American moment" during State of the Union address

President Donald Trump has proclaimed a "new American moment" at his first State of The Union add...
Newstalk
Newstalk

07.27 31 Jan 2018


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Donald Trump declares &#34...

Donald Trump declares "new American moment" during State of the Union address

Newstalk
Newstalk

07.27 31 Jan 2018


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President Donald Trump has proclaimed a "new American moment" at his first State of The Union address.

Speaking to both houses of Congress, Mr Trump took credit for a growing economy fuelled by tax reform and deregulation, and emphasised the need for immigration control, because "Americans are dreamers too".

He said: "There has never been a better time to start living the American Dream."

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He went on: "Since we passed tax cuts, roughly three million workers have already gotten tax cut bonuses - many of them thousands of dollars per worker."

He also struck a rare conciliatory tone towards political rivals, saying: "Tonight I am extending an open hand to work with members of both parties, Democrats and Republicans, to protect our citizens, of every background, color, and creed."

President Trump's speech had been billed by his spokespeople as "bright" and "optimistic".

He said: "We want every American to know the dignity of a hard day's work, we want every child to be safe in their home at night, and we want every citizen to be proud of this land that we love.

"Tonight, I want to talk about what kind of future we are going to have, and what kind of nation we are going to be. All of us, together, as one team, one people, and one American family.

"Americans love their country. And they deserve a government that shows them the same love and loyalty in return."

There was a hardline tone too, as Mr Trump emphasised his desire to tighten immigration policy with an emphasis on protecting American citizens.

In a reference to the current precarious predicament of children brought illegally to the United States, known as "dreamers", he said: "Americans are dreamers too."

Mr Trump emphasised the threat posed by gangs like MS-13, broadly linking immigration to crime and the destruction of communities.

As he began speaking, the White House announced that the President had signed an executive order reversing an Obama administration decision to close Guantanamo Bay military prison.

He also emphasised growing threats abroad, calling North Korea "a menace that threatens our world" that will be met with "American resolve" as he honoured the parents of Otto Warmbier, the American student and tourist who died after serving a hard labour sentence in North Korea.

Response

It was a typically wide-ranging speech, touching on issues including bringing down the price of prescription drugs, trade deals, infrastructure spending and the fight against Islamic State.

But the address was fiercely criticised by Democrats, some of whom boycotted the event in protest.

Many stayed seated during the President's speech, and did not clap when their Republican counterparts did.

Democratic Congressman Joe Kennedy, grandson of Robert F Kennedy, gave his party's official response.

He said: "It would be easy to dismiss the past year as chaos. Partisanship. Politics. But it's far bigger than that.

"This administration isn't just targeting the laws that protect us - they are targeting the very idea that we are all worthy of protection.

"Bullies may land a punch. They might leave a mark. But they have never, not once, in the history of our United States, managed to match the strength and spirit of a people united in defence of their future."

Independent Senator Bernie Sanders offered a lengthy response to the State of the Union speech on social media, arguing: "Trump talked about DACA and immigration, but what he did not tell the American people is that he precipitated this crisis in September by repealing President Obama’s executive order protecting Dreamers

"It would be unspeakable and a moral stain on our nation if we turned our backs on the 800,000 young Dreamers who were born and raised in this country and who know no other home but the United States."

Meanwhile, Republicans including House Speaker Paul Ryan were among those who praised President Trump's address:


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