We’re Liveblogging Trump’s First Big Speech to Congress

President Donald Trump‘s first major address to a joint session of Congress Tuesday night wasn’t an official State of the Union speech, but it was 60 minutes of carefully crafted complexity.

Texas lawmakers are weighing in, with most praising the speech.

However, we have only heard campaign speeches from Donald Trump, he has yet to deliver the kind of meaty policy oriented or even ideological speech that gives Americans and the world an idea as to what kind of country he seeks to create, not just correct.

“The only problem I have is the cabinet he has picked does not match [Trump’s] philosophy”. “Action is not a choice-it is a necessity”, Trump said. Medicaid covers primarily poor people. For once, this most unorthodox of politicians struck a conventional presidential posture as he sought to stabilize his administration after a tumultuous five weeks in office.

“I’m ready for the common ground and I’ve been ready for the common ground”.

Terrorism: 70% of viewers agreed to the same question on the issue. The GOP needs Trump to get behind a specific Obamacare proposal – and use his bully pulpit to browbeat dissenting Republicans into submission. “Not with the cabinet he has in place and not with the majority he has”.

Trump has maintained his opposition to NAFTA, calling it the “worst trade deal in history” and repeatedly blamed it for the loss of manufacturing jobs in the U.S. The trade agreement between Canada, Mexico and the U.S. was signed into law in 1994 under the then President Bill Clinton.

Trump noted that other countries slap high tariffs on American goods, such as Harley-Davidson motorcycles.

USA 10-year Treasury notes were last down 7/32 in price to yield 2.342%, from a yield of 2.317% late Friday.

Trump also hinted at, but did not directly address, reports that he will implement a new executive order on Wednesday banning some immigrants and refugees from the Middle East. “We must restore integrity and the rule of law to our borders”.

The wind was blowing Trump’s way Tuesday night, no doubt. “This is a president who is serious about tackling our biggest challenges and improving people’s lives”. He knows individuals want the freedom to choose their doctor and their health insurance plan-not have it dictated for them by Washington bureaucrats.

Many studies have found that immigrants are far less likely to commit crimes that native-born American citizens.

“In terms of messaging, I would give myself a C or a C+”, President Trump told Fox News.

In Brea, California, in traditionally conservative Orange County, about 60 people stood outside a shopping mall chanting “Build the wall” and “God bless America, God bless Donald Trump” and carrying sings that read “Trump loves you” and “Trump all the way”.

In the address, the Republican set out his plan for the next year. Immediately after, President Trump sang the usual paeans to American greatness, national pride, renewal of the American Spirit, and many such phrases which soon will find themselves reincarnated ashashtags.

This new administration brings a renewed sense of strength and opportunity for us to break glass and create more opportunities for Americans across the country.

“The current outdated system depresses wages for the poorest workers and puts great pressure on tax payers”.

In a surprising move, the president actually acknowledged the sharp rise in hate incidents across the country, just a few hours after he seemed to suggest he believed the attacks on Jewish cemeteries and other incidents were “false flags” perpetuated by unknown but definitely left of center groups.

Trump did not discuss the travel ban in his speech Tuesday, or his reported willingness to allow millions of otherwise law-abiding illegal immigrants to stay in the U.S. and work – a revival of previous talk of a compromise on immigration.

“Trump’s overall goal of the address was to instill in Congress the ‘will to govern, ‘ to compromise where possible in an effort to get things done on behalf of the American people”, writes Mr. O’Connell in an email.

■ The New York Times: “In contrast with the dark themes of his inaugural address, Mr. Trump’s speech to Congress was a more optimistic vision of America and what he called the promises ahead”.