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Trump promises 'renewal of American spirit' in speech to Congress Trump promises 'renewal of American spirit' in speech to Congress
(35 minutes later)
President Donald Trump has promised a "renewal of the American spirit", in his first speech to Congress.President Donald Trump has promised a "renewal of the American spirit", in his first speech to Congress.
The president said a "new surge of optimism is placing impossible dreams firmly within our grasp", opening a "new chapter of American greatness". Adopting a more measured tone, he spoke of a "new chapter of American greatness".
Mr Trump condemned recent vandalism of Jewish cemeteries and a hate crime in Kansas that left an Indian man dead.Mr Trump condemned recent vandalism of Jewish cemeteries and a hate crime in Kansas that left an Indian man dead.
His primetime address aimed to boost his low approval ratings after a bumpy start to his presidency. The Republican's primetime address sought to bolster his low approval ratings after a bumpy start to his fledgling presidency.
Trump speech in fullTrump speech in full
In Tuesday night's hour-long speech, Mr Trump said of recent alleged hate crimes, "we are a country that stands united in condemning hate and evil in all its very ugly forms".In Tuesday night's hour-long speech, Mr Trump said of recent alleged hate crimes, "we are a country that stands united in condemning hate and evil in all its very ugly forms".
He also touted his decisions to withdraw the US from the Trans-Pacific Partnership trade deal and order work to start on a wall along the US-Mexico border. Mr Trump said that "real and positive immigration reform" was possible, opening the intriguing possibility of a major policy shift towards a goal that eluded his two predecessors.
Mr Trump added that "real and positive immigration reform" was possible, opening the intriguing possibility of a major policy shift.
That line came hours after he told news anchors off the record at a White House lunch that he might be open to granting legal status to undocumented immigrants.That line came hours after he told news anchors off the record at a White House lunch that he might be open to granting legal status to undocumented immigrants.
In his address to US lawmakers, the Republican president also talked tough on the issue, saying: "By finally enforcing our immigration laws, we will raise wages, help the unemployed, save billions of dollars, and make our communities safer for everyone."In his address to US lawmakers, the Republican president also talked tough on the issue, saying: "By finally enforcing our immigration laws, we will raise wages, help the unemployed, save billions of dollars, and make our communities safer for everyone."
He also defended his early actions in office, touting his moves to withdraw the US from the Trans-Pacific Partnership trade deal and order work to start on a US-Mexico border wall.
Remarkably unremarkable - Anthony Zurcher, BBC News, WashingtonRemarkably unremarkable - Anthony Zurcher, BBC News, Washington
It was a conventional presidential address, delivered conventionally. Any other year, that would be unremarkable.It was a conventional presidential address, delivered conventionally. Any other year, that would be unremarkable.
In the age of Trump, however, where the ordinary seems unlikely, Tuesday night's proceedings proved decidedly unexpected.In the age of Trump, however, where the ordinary seems unlikely, Tuesday night's proceedings proved decidedly unexpected.
Many of the ideas were the same - the calls for increased border security, the denunciation of illegal immigrants, the pledge to rebuild the US by buying American and hiring American, the warning that US allies must pay their fair share - but the delivery was smoother. For once, Donald Trump's delivery was spoken, not shouted.Many of the ideas were the same - the calls for increased border security, the denunciation of illegal immigrants, the pledge to rebuild the US by buying American and hiring American, the warning that US allies must pay their fair share - but the delivery was smoother. For once, Donald Trump's delivery was spoken, not shouted.
As is typical of such addresses, the text was light on policy and marinated in cliches and political pablum, touching on most of Mr Trump's agenda in vague generalities.As is typical of such addresses, the text was light on policy and marinated in cliches and political pablum, touching on most of Mr Trump's agenda in vague generalities.
The president did lay down some markers, however, particularly on priorities in the upcoming healthcare overhaul, the size of his infrastructure spending plan and, at least elliptically, his support for border taxes.The president did lay down some markers, however, particularly on priorities in the upcoming healthcare overhaul, the size of his infrastructure spending plan and, at least elliptically, his support for border taxes.
In the end Mr Trump did no harm and may have helped ease the concerns of Republicans rattled by a rocky start to his administration. Now Congress has to turn those promises into reality. Even with this speech, it will not be an easy task.In the end Mr Trump did no harm and may have helped ease the concerns of Republicans rattled by a rocky start to his administration. Now Congress has to turn those promises into reality. Even with this speech, it will not be an easy task.
In other speech highlights:In other speech highlights:
But the most thunderous ovation of the night came when a war widow wept as Mr Trump paid tribute to her husband.But the most thunderous ovation of the night came when a war widow wept as Mr Trump paid tribute to her husband.
Navy Seal Ryan Owens died in a US raid on a suspected al-Qaeda base in Yemen, days into Mr Trump's presidency.Navy Seal Ryan Owens died in a US raid on a suspected al-Qaeda base in Yemen, days into Mr Trump's presidency.
"Ryan's legacy is etched into eternity," Mr Trump told the grieving Carryn Owens, who sobbed."Ryan's legacy is etched into eternity," Mr Trump told the grieving Carryn Owens, who sobbed.
It was one of the rare moments when lawmakers on both sides of the aisle applauded.It was one of the rare moments when lawmakers on both sides of the aisle applauded.
Despite the president's appeal for both parties to "unite for the good of our country", Democratic lawmakers barely clapped and some openly laughed at parts of the speech. Despite the president's appeal for both parties to "unite for the good of our country", Democratic lawmakers sat in silence or openly laughed at parts of the speech.
Mr Trump appealed to Congress for national unity, adopting a more conciliatory, upbeat tone that some noted was in stark contrast from his doom-laden inauguration speech of last month.
In his concluding remarks, the president - whose political honeymoon has been soured by acrimonious spats with the media - said "the time for trivial fights is behind us".In his concluding remarks, the president - whose political honeymoon has been soured by acrimonious spats with the media - said "the time for trivial fights is behind us".
Among US First Lady Melania Trump's guests in the gallery on Tuesday night were three California residents whose relatives were killed by people in the US illegally.Among US First Lady Melania Trump's guests in the gallery on Tuesday night were three California residents whose relatives were killed by people in the US illegally.
At least a dozen Democrats brought as their guests young undocumented immigrants who came to the US as children.At least a dozen Democrats brought as their guests young undocumented immigrants who came to the US as children.
Former Kentucky Governor Steve Beshear delivered the Democratic rebuttal to President Trump's address, accusing Republicans of planning to "rip affordable health insurance" away from those most in need. Former Kentucky Governor Steve Beshear delivered the Democratic rebuttal to the speech, accusing Republicans of planning to "rip affordable health insurance" from Americans and being "Wall Street's champion".
Some 44% of Americans think Mr Trump is doing a good job, according to the RealClearPolitics poll average, a historic low for modern presidents after a month in office. Mr Trump's popularity has hit a historic low for modern presidents after a month in office - just 44% of Americans think he is doing a good job, according to the RealClearPolitics poll average.
But in a Fox News interview broadcast earlier on Tuesday, Mr Trump gave himself an overall "A plus" for effort, but added that "in terms of messaging, I would give myself a C or a C plus". In a Fox News interview broadcast earlier on Tuesday, he gave himself an overall "A plus" for effort, but added that "in terms of messaging, I would give myself a C or a C plus".
Mr Trump's first month in office was also overshadowed by a high-profile court defeat to his controversial travel ban and the firing of a top aide. Mr Trump's first month in office was overshadowed by missteps that included a high-profile court defeat to his controversial travel ban and the firing of a top aide.
National Security Adviser Michael Flynn was forced to quit after it emerged he had discussed US sanctions with a Russian diplomat and misled the White House about the conversations.National Security Adviser Michael Flynn was forced to quit after it emerged he had discussed US sanctions with a Russian diplomat and misled the White House about the conversations.