Johnson admonishes lawmakers for disruptions; one Democratic lawmaker is removed
As his speech got underway, Trump pau, R-La.,sed and House Speaker Mike Johnson issued a warning to his fellow lawmakers: "Members are directed to uphold and maintain decorum in the House and to cease any further disruptions."
Johnson was addressing Rep. Al Green, D-Texas, who was standing in an aisle and waving his cane at Trump, saying, “You do not have a mandate.” Other lawmakers cheered and booed Green, causing further chaos on the House floor as Trump continued to pause his speech.
Johnson again addressed the chamber, saying, "Members are engaging in willful and continuing breach of the quorum, and the chair is prepared to direct the sergeant at arms to restore order to the joint session." He also directly told Green to take his seat before he ordered the House sergeant at arms to remove him from the chamber.
Green is a vocal critic of Trump and has multiple times filed articles of impeachment against him.
Trump seems relaxed heading into speech
Trump seems relaxed heading into the address.
There has been a pep in his step today. He seems to be hitting his stride with a sense that he was sent here by the American people.
As he has said before, Trump feels he has a mandate and is looking forward to this speech. He wants to, as he says, "tell it like it is."
Democrats hold paddles protesting speech
Democrats are holding black paddles that say SAVE MEDICAID, PROTECT VETERANS and MUSK STEALS.
Congresswoman holds sign: 'This is not normal'
Rep. Melanie Stansbury, D-N.M., was spotted holding a sign that read “This is not normal” as Trump entered the House chamber.
First elected in a special election in 2021 to replace then-Interior Secretary Deb Haaland, Stansbury represents a solidly Democratic district.
Someone grabbed the sign from across the aisle and threw it.
CORRECTION: A previous version of this post misidentified Stansbury as the top Democrat on the House Natural Resources Committee. Stansbury is the top Democrat on a subcommittee dealing with the issue; the top Democrat on the committee is Rep. Jared Huffman.
Trump enters House chamber for tonight's speech
Trump arrived in the House chamber shortly before 9:15 p.m. ET.
He has spent the past few minutes shaking hands with lawmakers and administration officials.
Chants of "USA! USA!" broke out as he walked up to the dais.
Ohio Democrat shakes hands with members of Trump's Cabinet
Rep. Marcy Kaptur, D-Ohio, stood out as one of the few Democrats lining the aisle who shook hands with Trump’s Cabinet as they entered.
She represents a district Trump carried, and she also appears to be sporting a nod to Ukraine, donning a blue suit and yellow shirt. Kaptur is a co-founder and co-chair of the Congressional Ukraine Caucus.
Sen. Chris Murphy on why he's not attending: 'This is the moment to protest'
Sen. Chris Murphy, D-Conn., said he's not attending Trump's address tonight and will instead be co-hosting an online event titled “Calling BS.”
"I’m not going to the speech tonight," Murphy posted on X just as his fellow senators were entering the House chamber for the speech. "Honor people who are choosing to go, but I think this is an exceptional moment and I just can’t act like it’s business as usual."
In an interview with MSNBC, Murphy said Trump is “not speaking to the nation."
"He’s speaking to his base," he said. "I think the president has an obligation to deliver a serious speech, and if he fulfills that obligation, then I think Democrats and Republicans should be there, but I don’t think that he is going to do that tonight.”
Murphy called it a "moment to protest," urging people to call their members of Congress and show up at any town halls before states start feeling the adverse effects of tariffs.
“Don’t wait until this fall. Don’t wait until next election. You’ve got to be out there on the streets making your voice heard right now," he said.
Four Supreme Court justices are attending Trump's address
Supreme Court Chief Justice John Roberts and Justices Elana Kagan, Brett Kavanaugh and Amy Coney Barrett are in the chamber for tonight's speech.
Retired Justice Anthony Kennedy is also there.
Not in attendance: Justices Samuel Alito, Neil Gorsuch, Sonia Sotomayor, Clarence Thomas and Ketanji Brown Jackson
'Behind the scenes' with Trump's Cabinet
Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins posted this photo of the Cabinet ahead of tonight’s address:
VA Secretary Doug Collins is the designated survivor
A White House official says VA Secretary Doug Collins is the designated survivor tonight.