Forward with a clear vision and a Righteous Mission will stop to make America Great again for all americans. Pres. Trump over the last year, we have made incredible progress and achieved extraordinary success. We have faced challenges we expected and others we could have never imagined. We have shared in the heights of victory and the pains of hardship. We have endured floods and fires and storms. But through it all, we have seen the beauty of americas soul and spine. El in americas each test forged new american heroes to remind us who we are, and show us what we can be. We saw the volunteers of the cajun navy racing to the rescue with their fishing boats to save people in the aftermath of a totally devastating hurricane. We saw strangers shielding strangers from a hail of gunfire on the las vegas strip. We heard tales of americans, like coast guard petty officer ashlee leppert, who is here tonight in the gallery, with melania. [applause] pres. Trump ashlee was aboard one of the first
Collusion. Rocket man. We are building a wall. Very fine people. On both sides. Hes fired. Hes fired. Announcer now, tonight, what will his message be to a divided congress and polarized america . Finally, we are putting america first. Announcer live from the nations capital, the state of the Union Address and the democratic response. Now reporting, george stephanopoulos. Announcer good evening, and welcome to abcs live coverage of President Trumps first state of the union. What a year it has been. Its been a year of conflict and controversy. Both for President Trump and the country he now leads. Its been exciting and exhausting, unusual in so many ways. With a president unlike any weve seen before. Tonight, a turn to tradition. Trumps chance to put his stamp on the year past and set the agenda for the year ahead in this most formal setting. And that was the moment, just moments ago when the first lady, melania trump, came in, as has become the tradition. Shell be surrounded by the pre
Off her millions of americans. According to the excerpts from the president s speech, he will also offer to work with republicans and democrats on immigration, calling for a problem though my policies that focus on the best interest of American Workers and American Families and also protect our citizens, citizens, he will say, of every background, color and creed. Immigration was a big Sticking Point in a standoff that led to a Government Shutdown earlier this month. If the deadline to present another possible shutdown is a week from thursday. The first lady arrived just a short time ago with some of her guests and as we wait for the president to enter, he is getting a chance to make his case tonight to members of both parties and millions of americans watching at home. The white house says the first lady, melania trump, who we just saw, it will have more than a dozen guests with her tonight. They include the head of an organization that helps thousands of hurricane victims, a firefigh
Sense of how much, in this case, democrats are going to respond to the president doing. You know, quite understandably, a lot of votes came out of the tax cuts and the economic impact. He is convinced theyre already having. That will be interesting to witness tonight. Absolutely. And its always like opposing sides at a High School Football game. And you know when the home team is scoring, republicans are going to be on their feet cheering. And you know, well see if there are any hec hecklers in the cro. Were in a post modern political age. And it feels so so often anything goes. And thats why youre going to see record high ratings tonight. People want to see if the president stick to the script, how the crowd responds to him and certainly the divide along party lines will be clearer than anything weve seen in modern history. The president s cabinet, you saw rick per we, betsy devos, and im reminded of the fact that the president wants to remind these folks that the same tax cuts, for e
King and john dickerson. Cbs evening news anchor jeff glor is reporting in washington, so well check in with jeff in just a moment. And were waiting for the house sergeant at arms to announce the president s entrance into the chamber. Thats an important symbol in this symbolic night. This is one of the most traditional roles of the presidency, and yet it meets a traditionbreaking president. White house aides have promised President Trumps speech will seek to unify, but what does that mean . Will the president extend an olive branch to democrats or ask them to unify by simply agreeing with him, and will democrats hoping to run against the president in this Election Year be in any mood to listen to him . The answers to those questions will set the tone for negotiations on president ial priorities like immigration and infrastructure. Right now as everyone is entering the chamber, they seem to be in a great mood. Lots of handshakes and smiles on both sides of the aisle. This is an importan