President Donald Trump defended the moves that his administration has made during a fast-paced start to his second term while addressing a joint session of Congress on Tuesday (March 4) night. He also laid out his plans to reshape the federal government and promised to always put American interests first.

“Six weeks ago, I stood beneath the dome of this Capitol and proclaimed the dawn of the Golden Age of America. From that moment on, it has been nothing but swift and unrelenting action to usher in the greatest and most successful era in the history of our country. We have accomplished more in 43 days than most administrations accomplish in four years or eight years—and we are just getting started," Trump said to a standing ovation.

"I return to this chamber tonight to report that America’s momentum is back. Our spirit is back. Our pride is back. Our confidence is back. And the American Dream is surging—bigger and better than ever before. The American Dream is unstoppable, and our country is on the verge of a comeback the likes of which the world has never witnessed, and perhaps will never witness again.”

Trump said that his election victory against Vice President Kamala Harris, in which he won 312 electoral votes, was a mandate from the voters to enact his agenda.

“Now, for the first time in modern history, more Americans believe that our country is headed in the right direction than the wrong direction— in fact its an astonishing record 27-point swing, the most ever. Likewise, small business optimism saw its single largest one-month gain ever recorded—a 41-point jump," Trump said.

As he said this, Speaker Mike Johnson interrupted the speech to call for order after Democratic Rep. Al Green of Texas began yelling “You do not have a mandate.” Rep. Green refused to stop and Johnson ordered the Sergeant at Arms to remove him. After he was led out of the chamber, Trump continued his speech.

"Over the past six weeks, I have signed nearly one hundred executive orders and taken more than four hundred executive actions to restore common sense, safety, optimism, and wealth all across our wonderful land. The people elected me to do the job, and I am doing it," Trump continued. "In fact, it has been stated by many that the first month of our presidency, it's our presidency, is the most successful in the history of our nation.”

During his speech, Democrats held up black signs with white lettering with different statements, such as "Musk Steals," "Save Medicaid," "False," and "Protect Veterans."

Trump also defended his immigration policies and efforts to deport people illegally in the country.

“Within hours of taking the oath of office, I declared a national emergency on our southern border, and I deployed the U.S. military and border,” Trump touted. “And what a job they've done as a result."

"Illegal border crossings last month were by far the lowest ever recorded, ever,” Trump said.

President Trump also touted his policies restricting transgender women from playing in men's sports, highlighting one of his guests, Payton McNabb, a high school athlete who was injured by a volleyball spike from a trans woman on the opposing team.

"But when her girls' volleyball match was invaded by a male, he smashed the ball so hard in Peyton's face, causing a traumatic brain injury, partially paralyzing her right side and ending her athletic career," Trump said.

"Payton is here tonight in the gallery, and Payton, from now on, schools will kick the men off the girls’ team, or they will lose all federal funding," he said.

President Trump touted the newly created Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), which is run by Elon Musk. Trump then highlighted the amount of money that his been cut, and listed off some of the projects that have been axed.

Trump also spoke about the tariffs he placed on Canada, Mexico, and China, as well as those he plans to impose on other countries, saying they will result in the creation of American jobs. He said that additional tariffs will be enacted on April 2.

"Whatever they tariff us, we tariff them. Whatever they tax us, we tax them," Trump said. "If they do non-monetary tariffs to keep us out of their market, then we do non-monetary barriers to keep them out of our market. We will take in trillions of dollars and create jobs like we have never seen before."

President Trump urged Congress to make his 2017 tax cuts permanent, and called for additional reduction in taxes.

"I'm calling for no tax on tips, no tax on overtime, and no tax on Social Security benefits for our great seniors," he said.

Trump also called on Congress to pass a comprehensive crime bill, citing the death of New York City Police Officer Jonathan Diller, who was killed by a career criminal. President Trump honored Diller's wife, Stephanie, who was in attendance.

“We’re also once again giving our police officers the support, protection and respect they so dearly deserve. They have to get it. They have such a hard, dangerous job, but we’re going to make it less dangerous. The problem is the bad guys don’t respect the law, but they’re starting to respect it and they soon will respect it,” Trump said.

Near the end of his speech, Trump addressed the war between Russia and Ukraine.

"Millions of Ukrainians and Russians have been needlessly killed or wounded in this horrific and brutal conflict with no end in sight. The United States has sent hundreds of billions of dollars to support Ukraine’s defense," Trump said.

"It‘s time to stop this. It’s time to halt the killing. It’s time to end the senseless war," he added.

Trump said he received a letter from Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky saying that he was ready “come to the negotiating table as soon as possible to bring lasting peace closer."

Trump said that the letter read, “My team and I stand ready to work under President Trump’s strong leadership to get a peace that lasts.”

“We do really value how much America has done to help Ukraine maintain its sovereignty and independence. Regarding the agreement on minerals and security, Ukraine is ready to sign it at any time that is convenient for you,” Trump said Zelensky wrote.

Trump wrapped up his speech, which was the longest ever, clocking in at roughly one hour and forty minutes.

"This will be our greatest era. With God's help over the next four years, we are going to lead this nation even higher, and we are going to forge the freest, most advanced, most dynamic, and most dominant civilization ever to exist on the face of this Earth. We are going to create the highest quality of life, build the safest and healthiest and most vital communities anywhere in the world. We are going to conquer the vast frontiers of science and we are going to lead humanity into space and plant the American flag on the planet Mars and even far beyond. " Trump said.

"And through it all, we are going to rediscover the unstoppable power of the American spirit and we are going to renew unlimited promise of the American dream. Every single day we will stand up and fight, fight, fight for the country our citizens believe in, our for the country our people deserve."

“My fellow Americans, get ready for an incredible future, because the golden age of America has only just begun. It will be like nothing that has ever been seen before,” he vowed.

Michael Berry