When and what time is Trump delivering the 2018 State of the Union?
President Donald Trump will deliver his first formal State of the Union address at 9 p.m. Eastern time on Tuesday, Jan. 30, before a joint session of Congress. Speaker Paul Ryan (R-Wis.) presides in the House chamber of the U.S. Capitol, with Vice President Mike Pence beside him in his constitutional role as president of the Senate. Congress, Supreme Court justices, the Joint Chiefs of Staff and all but one of the president’s Cabinet members — the so-called designated survivor — will attend.
What topics will Trump cover?
The White House announced last week that the president would release his complete immigration policy “framework” before the State of the Union, so this will almost certainly be a centerpiece. According to a White House official, Trump’s speech will be one of unity as he tries to appeal to a fiercely divided Congress.
Trump will also take a page from his speech on Friday at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, and talk about strong economic growth in the U.S., as well as the benefits of the recently enacted tax changes and an America-first trade policy. In view of the recent nuclear threats from North Korea, the Republican leader will highlight a national security policy of “peace through strength,” the White House official said. He also plans to use the opportunity toreveal the details of his long-awaited infrastructure plan.
Of course, the president has demonstrated considerable unpredictability in his first year in office, straying from scripted speeches and creating headaches for his staff. So whether he’ll deviate on Tuesday remains to be seen.
AS REPORTED BY POLITICO.COM