The speech was a chance for Trump to make his case ahead of the midterms.
President Donald Trump delivered his State of the Union Tuesday night in Washington, as a majority of Americans disapprove of how he is handling inflation, tariffs, relations with other countries, immigration and the economy, according to an ABC News/Washington Post/Ipsos poll.
For Trump, the speech was a chance to make the case directly to millions of Americans ahead of November's midterm elections where control of Congress is at stake. Dozens of Democrats, meanwhile, skipped the speech in protest.
President Trump early in his speech is addressing immigration, his best and worst issue, a recent ABC News/Washington Post/Ipsos poll finds.
Trump said the U.S. has "the strongest and most secure border in American history," though noted that those who come in legally and "will love our country" are always welcome.
Earlier in the evening, as Trump made his way down the chamber, Democrat Rep. Al Green of Texas held up a paper sheet that read, “BLACK PEOPLE AREN’T APES.”
The sign referenced a clip in a video Trump shared on social media that depicted President Barack Obama and Michelle Obama as apes for a few seconds. The video was taken down hours later and the White House said a staffer made the post.
Green was escorted out of the chamber while holding the sign minutes into the speech.
He was escorted out during last year's speech after he called out the president.
President Trump started off his address saying, "Our nation is back, bigger, better, richer and stronger than ever before."
"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. It is indeed a turnaround for the ages," Trump said.
President Trump entered the House chamber just after 9 p.m. to boisterous applause. He is shaking hands with lawmakers as he makes his way to the dais. This is Trump's first State of the Union address of his second term.
