President Donald Trump delivered a nearly two-hour State of the Union address Tuesday, highlighting his administration’s policies on tariffs, immigration and foreign affairs while pausing to award medals to several guests in attendance.
President Trump began his address by looking forward to the upcoming 250th anniversary of American independence, which will be celebrated on July 4.
"This is the golden age of America," the president said.
"Tonight, after just one year, I can say with dignity and pride that we have achieved a transformation like no one has ever seen before, and a turnaround for the ages," he said. "We will never go back to where we were just a short time ago."
MORE STATE OF THE UNION NEWS | Scripps News fact-checks President Trump's State of the Union address
Trump defends his tariffs
President Trump called last week's Supreme Court decision that found the majority of his tariff policies unconstitutional a "very unfortunate ruling."
"But the good news is that almost all countries and corporations want to keep the deal they already made," he said.
Tariff policies would continue under "fully approved and tested legal statutes," the president said, and "Congressional action will not be necessary."
Trump said he believed continued tariff income could eventually replace income taxes collected from U.S. citizens.
Calling for voting reform
President Trump called on Congress to pass the Save America Act, which would enact stricter regulations on eligibility for voting.
"It's very simple. All voters must show voter ID. All voters must show proof of citizenship in order to vote," he said. "And no more crooked mail in ballots except for illness, disability, military or travel."
President Trump alleged that Democrats who did not support the legislation wanted to cheat in future elections.
"They want to cheat, they have cheated, and their policy is so bad that the only way they can get elected is to cheat," he said.
Democrats have raised concerns about the bill, arguing it could create barriers for eligible voters.
Tech companies should pay for their own AI energy needs
President Trump announced a plan for the "rate payer protection pledge," which would address the increasing energy demand from AI data centers.
"We're telling major tech companies that they have the obligation to provide for their own power needs," as they deploy resource-intensive data centers, the president said.
This would prevent energy costs for Americans from rising and, in some cases, could reduce the prices they pay, he said.
However, he did not note that some companies have already agreed to cover their electricity costs.
Immigration standoff continues
The president defended his controversial immigration priorities, which were a major factor that led to the ongoing partial government shutdown, which has impacted certain agencies under the Department of Homeland Security.
Democrats in Congress have refused to approve funding for the agency unless they include new rules to govern immigration enforcement.
Their proposals include a ban on face masks worn by federal immigration officials, requiring judicial warrants before agents can enter private property, mandating body cameras on all agents, and establishing a standard uniform with a badge, identification number and last name prominently displayed.
"Tonight I'm demanding the full and immediate restoration of all funding" for border security and continued operations in other affected agencies, President Trump said on Tuesday.
"The first duty of the American government is to protect American citizens, not illegal aliens," the president said. He called on lawmakers in the chamber to stand if they agreed with that message.
"You should be ashamed of yourself, not standing up," the president said, after numerous Democratic lawmakers remained in their seats.
Foreign policy
The president highlighted his foreign policy agenda, saying his efforts helped end fighting in Gaza between Israel and Hamas and secure the return of remaining hostages. He said he plans to continue his peacemaking efforts by seeking an end to the now four-year-old war in Ukraine.
Trump also referenced last year’s strike on Iran’s nuclear infrastructure and warned about the potential of future military action if the country continues efforts to develop nuclear weapons and long-range missile technology.
"We are in negotiations with them; they want to make a deal, but we haven't heard those secret words, 'we will never have a nuclear weapon,'" he said. "My preference is to solve this problem through diplomacy. But one thing is certain, I will never allow the world's number one sponsor of terror to have a nuclear weapon."
Awards for many of the president's guests
Many of President Trump's guests received standing ovations, including the U.S Men's Olympic hockey team, who entered the chamber with the gold medals they won on Sunday at the Winter Olympics in Italy.
President Trump said he would present the squad's starting goalie, Connor Hellebuyck, with the Presidential Medal of Freedom.
Other guests included Coast Guard Petty Officer Scott Ruskan, who conducted water rescues during catastrophic flooding in Texas in 2025. Trump awarded him the Legion of Merit for extraordinary heroism.
Trump also honored two members of the West Virginia National Guard who were shot near the White House in November 2025. He awarded the Purple Heart to Staff Sgt. Andrew Wolfe, who was injured, and presented the medal posthumously to the family of National Guard member Sarah Beckstrom, who died following the shooting.
