The big takeaways from Trump's speech to Congress: From the Politics Desk

Contributing sentiments towards policy:

59% : Trump defends his tariff moves: Trump said the 25% tariffs on products from Canada and Mexico "are about protecting the soul of our country" as scores of Republicans applauded.
54% : But the biggest thing Congress may work on this year will be a massive tax and spending bill, and Trump outlined his priorities.
50% : Rep. Rashida Tlaib, D-Mich., brought an erasable whiteboard into the chamber and scribbled various messages to Trump throughout the night: "NO KING," "THAT'S A LIE" and "You're cutting Medicaid," for instance.
48% : It won't be much." Outlining the agenda for the "big, beautiful bill": Trump spent significant time on issues ranging from transgender athletes to the work of the Department of Government Efficiency.
44% : It's a sign of how Trump has transformed the traditionally pro-free trade GOP, though there is some unease in the party about the tariffs' effects on prices and the broader economy.
43% : "There'll be a little disturbance," Trump added.
42% : And as the GOP's budget and spending plans take shape, there was no mention of Medicaid -- a major portion of the federal budget that could be a target for changes.
40% : Trump reiterated his calls to cut taxes and include several campaign trail tax promises in a bill later this year -- specifically killing taxes on tips and overtime.
35% : After Trump told lawmakers he had won a mandate, the progressive rabble-rouser rose, began waving his cane at Trump and yelled out repeatedly: "You have no mandate!"
31% : Leaning into culture wars, Trump inveighed against transgender rights, "they/them" pronouns and diversity, equity and inclusion programs.
27% : From the moment Trump walked onto the House floor, it was clear this would not be the usual speech to Congress.
23% : The return of Israeli and American hostages held by Hamas in Gaza earned a mention, but Trump did not delve much deeper into the broader issues facing the Middle East.
22% : They had warned their rank-and-file members before the joint address not to bring props and to stay on message -- the focus should stay on the federal workers fired by Trump and his billionaire adviser Elon Musk's Department of Government Efficiency, as well as the everyday Americans harmed by their policies and cuts.
19% : " After he greeted Trump, Rep. Lance Gooden, R-Texas, reached across the aisle, ripped the sign away from Stansbury and tossed it in the air -- all on live TV. Senate Democrats, meanwhile, stood when Trump walked down the center aisle but did not applaud.
18% : And Trump did not delve into the federal worker cuts that have sparked anxiety among some congressional Republicans and pushback from the public.
17% : Read the rest of the takeaways here → House and Senate Democrats silently protested Trump -- refusing to applaud, holding up signs calling him "king" and "liar" and, for some, walking out of the address altogether.

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