President Donald Trump is scheduled to deliver the first State of the Union address of his second term tonight, as his administration faces increasing scrutiny over proposed tariffs and escalating tensions with Iran. The address, set to begin around 9 p.m. Eastern Time, comes amid dimming voter confidence in the economy, according to NBC News.
Virginia Governor Abigail Spanberger will deliver the Democratic response to the President’s speech. The White House has announced that Erika Kirk, the widow of conservative activist Charlie Kirk, will be in attendance as a guest of the President. Also expected to be present is the gold medal-winning U.S. Men’s Olympic hockey team.
More than two dozen congressional Democrats are boycotting the address, with progressive groups organizing counter-events throughout Washington D.C., NBC News reported. The boycott underscores the deep partisan divisions surrounding the Trump administration’s policies.
According to excerpts of his prepared remarks, President Trump intends to focus on what he describes as corruption within Minnesota’s Somali community. He alleges that members of the community have “pillaged an estimated $19 billion dollars from the American taxpayer.”
Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer has demanded that President Trump publicly disclose his administration’s plans regarding Iran, ahead of the State of the Union address, according to Politico. This demand reflects growing concerns among Democrats about the potential for military escalation in the region.
NBC News and NBC News NOW will provide special coverage of the address starting at 9 p.m. ET. The speech precedes a period of heightened uncertainty regarding the administration’s trade policies and its approach to international conflicts.
Over a dozen House Democrats have indicated they will be inviting survivors of Jeffrey Epstein to the address, a move intended to highlight concerns about accountability and justice.
