The Epoch Times

WASHINGTON—Four Supreme Court justices—Chief Justice John Roberts and Justices Elena Kagan, Amy Coney Barrett, and Brett Kavanaugh—entered the House chamber before Trump’s speech. Justice Clarence Thomas, who appeared not to be in attendance, told law school students in 2012 that he didn’t attend State of the Union addresses because they had become so partisan.

WASHINGTON—Trump arrived inside the House chamber to deliver his speech. He was met with cheers and greeted by Republicans in the aisles as he made his way to the podium. Trump is accompanied by congressional GOP leadership, including House Majority Leader Steve Scalise (R-La.) and House Majority Whip Tom Emmer (R-Minn.). Trump shook the hands of Supreme Court justices, including Chief Justice John Roberts. Trump's speech is not a State of the Union address but it is essentially the same thing, with the difference being that this is only the first year of the new administration. First Lady Melania Trump wore a dress hat and arrived to a standing ovation. She was followed by Trump’s Cabinet members. The first lady and other guests will sit in the gallery above the chamber. Members of Congress are allowed to bring at least one guest. The invited guests are often related to political messaging.

WASHINGTON—President Donald Trump will highlight his use of tariffs to bolster investments in U.S. manufacturing and business interests in his speech tonight, according to excerpts released by the White House. “Whatever they tariff us, we tariff them. Whatever they tax us, we tax them,” Trump will say. “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.” His speech is taking place the same day 25 percent tariffs took effect on goods from Canada and Mexico and 20 percent levies on products from China, in addition to tariffs already imposed on the nation. Additionally, the president plans to discuss ongoing negotiations to end the conflict between Ukraine and Russia. Trump has vowed to bring the fighting to a close, saying the approximately $175 billion in U.S. taxpayer dollars that has been appropriated for the Eastern European country is too high compared to the amount of funding sent by other nations in the region. “I am also working tirelessly to end the savage conflict in Ukraine. Millions of Ukrainians and Russians have been needlessly killed or wounded in this horrific and brutal conflict, with no end in sight,” the excerpts read. “Meanwhile, Europe has sadly spent more money buying Russian oil and gas than they have spent on defending Ukraine—by far!” Trump is pushing for a mineral deal with Ukraine to help recoup money sent to bolster Ukrainian defense efforts. Securing rare earth minerals from foreign and domestic sources is a priority for the president. “Later this week, I will also take historic action to dramatically expand production of critical minerals and rare earths here in [the] USA,” Trump will say.