US President Donald Trump kicked of his maiden State of the Union address with recollections of the year past. The US president recognised the bravery of Americans who helped each other through a series of devastating hurricanes, wildfires and mass shootings during his first year in office.
Trump pointed to a robust economy, low unemployment and benefits of tax overhaul in his first State of the Union address to Congress. The address was attended by Sunayana Dumala, the widow of an Indian engineer who was shot dead in a hate crime.
US PRESIDENT DONALD TRUMP ADDRESSED STATE OF THE UNION ADDRESS: HIGHLIGHTS
#I'm keeping another promise. I just signed an order directing Secretary Mattis to reexamine our military detention policy and to keep open the detention facilities in Guantanamo Bay.
#No regime has oppressed its own citizens more totally and more brutally than the cruel dictatorship in North Korea. Its reckless pursuit of nuclear missiles could very soon threaten our homeland. We are waging a campaign of maximum pressure to prevent that from ever happening.
#Trump says "unmatched power" is the surest defence against threats from rogue regimes, terrorist groups and rivals like China and Russia.
#"In the past, we have foolishly released hundreds and hundreds of dangerous terrorists, only to meet them again on the battlefield."
#Terrorists are not merely criminals. They are unlawful enemy combatants. And when captured overseas, they should be treated like the terrorists they are.
#As we rebuild America's strength and confidence at home we are also restoring our strength and standing abroad. Around the world we face rogue regimes, terror groups AND rivals like China and Russia that challenge our interests, economy and values.
#We will continue our fight until ISIS is defeated, says US president.
# "Preston's reverence for those who have served our Nation reminds us why we salute our flag, why we put our hands on our hearts for the pledge of allegiance, and why we proudly stand for the national anthem", says Trump.
#Republicans cheer as Trump talks about making America great again, and his late 2017 victory revamping the tax code.
#President Donald Trump talks about stories of ordinary people to help illustrate themes in his State of the Union address.
#Trump illustrated the tax cuts he signed into law last year by introducing small-business owners from Ohio.
#President Donald Trump is celebrating a booming economy in his State of the Union address.
#Trump says 2.4 million jobs have been created since his election and says wages are going up.
#Trump is also promising that millions of Americans will be taking home more pay starting next month thanks to the "massive" tax cuts he signed into law at the end of 2017.
#President Donald Trump is kicking off his State of the Union speech with recollections of the year past.
#Trump talks about the hurricanes that devastated states including Florida and Texas, and the wildfires that ripped through Texas.
#"We have shared in the heights of victory and the pains of hardship", Trump said.
#He's telling those affected by the devastation that "we are with you" and "we will pull through together."
#The White House says Trump has signed a new executive order to keep the US military prison at Guantanamo Bay open.
#Trump said during his campaign that he wanted to keep Guantanamo open and "load it up with some bad dudes." But the White House announcement just before Tuesday's State of the Union address marks a formal reversal of President Barack Obama's eight-year effort to close the detention center.
#President Trump has arrived in the House chamber to deliver his first State of the Union address. Cheers and applause rang out as Trump was introduced by the Sergeant at Arms.
#President Donald Trump's motorcade passed a group of protesters near the U.S. Capitol as the president traveled to the annual State of the Union address.
#"It's a big speech, an important speech, we covered immigration," Trump said adding that he will focus largely on trade and immigration during his first State of the Union address. "We worked on it hard, covered a lot of territory, including our great success with the markets and with the tax cut", he said.
#White House Press Secretary Sarah Sanders told reporters that the theme of the address is, 'Building a safe, strong, and proud America,' which is exactly what the president has worked to do during his first year in office.
#In his first State of the Union speech, the US president will outline the record-setting accomplishments of his first year and lay out the administration's vision for the next 12 months, the White House said. Trump will outline a USD 1 trillion investment for a large-scale, fast rebuild of America's depleted infrastructure.
#The US president will also explain his framework on immigration reform, including border security, Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals legalisation, protecting the nuclear family, and replacing the visa lottery with a skills-based approach.
#The State of the Union address is a traditional annual speech of the US president to a joint session of the Congress where he gives an account of the situation in the country.
