Donald Trump gave his first address to a joint session of Congress on Tuesday, Feb. 28, 2017. In general, he was given praise for the demeanor and tone, in contrast to the rabid hostility of his speeches to the Republican National Convention and the inauguration. But the bar was low; expectations were low. In essence, the speech was a sugary re-do of those speeches; the policies advocated no less punitive and founded in a dystopian fantasy,  in which he makes himself the Savior. The speech was completely full of hyperbolic claims and promises, devoid of specifics and premised on myths and lies. 

Democratic women wore white, a reference to the Suffragettes. Several Democrats wore blue ribbons, in solidarity with the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU). Generally, Democrats were subdued but respectful. 

These are the remarks as prepared for delivery and provided by the White House, highlighted and annotated with remarks —Karen Rubin, News & Photo Features

PRESIDENT DONALD J. TRUMP’S ADDRESS TO A JOINT SESSION OF CONGRESS

Remarks as prepared for delivery, provided by the White House

TO THE CONGRESS OF THE UNITED STATES:

Mr. Speaker, Mr. Vice President, Members of Congress, the First Lady of the United States, and Citizens of America:

Tonight, as we mark the conclusion of our celebration of Black History Month, we are reminded of our Nation’s path toward civil rights and the work that still remains.  Recent threats targeting Jewish Community Centers and vandalism of Jewish cemeteries, as well as last week’s shooting in Kansas City, remind us that while we may be a Nation divided on policies, we are a country that stands united in condemning hate and evil in all its forms.

Sounds like this was just added on.

Each American generation passes the torch of truth, liberty and justice –- in an unbroken chain all the way down to the present.

That torch is now in our hands.  And we will use it to light up the world.  I am here tonight to deliver a message of unity and strength, and it is a message deeply delivered from my heart.

A desperate attempt to change tone.

A new chapter of American Greatness is now beginning.

A new national pride is sweeping across our Nation.

And a new surge of optimism is placing impossible dreams firmly within our grasp.

What we are witnessing today is the Renewal of the American Spirit.

                        I don’t feel spirit renewed; I feel my spirit sapped from my soul. 

Our allies will find that America is once again ready to lead. 

                        Once again? In classic fashion, Trump creates a false narrative. The US under Obama was the world leader on climate change, coalition against ISIS, Russian aggression, nuclear disarmament. Trump’s America First is a retreat from global citizenship. 

All the nations of the world — friend or foe — will find that America is strong, America is proud, and America is free.

In 9 years, the United States will celebrate the 250th anniversary of our founding — 250 years since the day we declared our Independence.

It will be one of the great milestones in the history of the world.

But what will America look like as we reach our 250th year? What kind of country will we leave for our children?

I will not allow the mistakes of recent decades past to define the course of our future.

For too long, we’ve watched our middle class shrink as we’ve exported our jobs and wealth to foreign countries.

We’ve financed and built one global project after another, but ignored the fates of our children in the inner cities of Chicago, Baltimore, Detroit — and so many other places throughout our land.

We’ve defended the borders of other nations, while leaving our own borders wide open, for anyone to cross — and for drugs to pour in at a now unprecedented rate.

And we’ve spent trillions of dollars overseas, while our infrastructure at home has so badly crumbled.

Then, in 2016, the earth shifted beneath our feet.  The rebellion started as a quiet protest, spoken by families of all colors and creeds -– families who just wanted a fair shot for their children, and a fair hearing for their concerns.

                        More fantastical, mythological, magical thinking in which Trump portrays himself as the savior. 

But then the quiet voices became a loud chorus — as thousands of citizens now spoke out together, from cities small and large, all across our country.

Finally, the chorus became an earthquake – and the people turned out by the tens of millions, and they were all united by one very simple, but crucial demand, that America must put its own citizens first … because only then, can we truly MAKE AMERICA GREAT AGAIN.

                        But tens of millions – 3 million more than came out for Trump – came out in opposition, for Hillary Clinton and the Democratic agenda.

Dying industries will come roaring back to life.  Heroic veterans will get the care they so desperately need.

Our military will be given the resources its brave warriors so richly deserve.

Crumbling infrastructure will be replaced with new roads, bridges, tunnels, airports and railways gleaming across our beautiful land.

Our terrible drug epidemic will slow down and ultimately, stop.

And our neglected inner cities will see a rebirth of hope, safety, and opportunity.

                                 Trump’s speech is remarkably devoid of any specifics (remember how they chided Obama for not being specific when he laid out an actual agenda, described actual programs?). This is the same as the RNC speech, the inaugural speech, making fantastical promises with no way of achieving anything.

Above all else, we will keep our promises to the American people.

It’s been a little over a month since my inauguration, and I want to take this moment to update the Nation on the progress I’ve made in keeping those promises.

Since my election, Ford, Fiat-Chrysler, General Motors, Sprint, Softbank, Lockheed, Intel, Walmart, and many others, have announced that they will invest billions of dollars in the United States and will create tens of thousands of new American jobs.

The stock market has gained almost three trillion dollars in value since the election on November 8th, a record.

Of course, because Wall Street and bankers are giddy over his Billionaire Cabinet, roll-back of financial protections and regulations that protect consumers, like rolling back fiduciary responsibility rule, his promise to cut taxes for the wealthiest and corporations. What’s not to like. Laissez-faire license to steal is back, baby! 

We’ve saved taxpayers hundreds of millions of dollars by bringing down the price of the fantastic new F-35 jet fighter, and will be saving billions more dollars on contracts all across our Government.  We have placed a hiring freeze on non-military and non-essential Federal workers.

                        Such arbitrary restrictions actually hurts the ability for government to deliver needed services. And by the way, the unemployment during the Bush Great Recession reflected millions of public service workers being thrown out of their jobs. 

We have begun to drain the swamp of government corruption by imposing a 5 year ban on lobbying by executive branch officials –- and a lifetime ban on becoming lobbyists for a foreign government.

This caused audible laughter because Trump has brought in every billionaire, every multi-millionaire, every major Republican donor, every puppet of Big Business and Special Interest to run his cabinet.

We have undertaken a historic effort to massively reduce job‑crushing regulations, creating a deregulation task force inside of every Government agency; imposing a new rule which mandates that for every 1 new regulation, 2 old regulations must be eliminated; and stopping a regulation that threatens the future and livelihoods of our great coal miners.

Regulations that protect the air and water, food safety, financial protections, the environment generally, all so that corporations can pocket more money and foist their damage onto people.

We have cleared the way for the construction of the Keystone and Dakota Access Pipelines — thereby creating tens of thousands of jobs — and I’ve issued a new directive that new American pipelines be made with American steel.

False premise that pipelines create jobs – they create temporary jobs, but leave society hostage to Fossil Fuel industry that continues to contribute to global warming, instead of promoting the transition to clean, renewable, decentralized energy that would really free people from their bondage.

We have withdrawn the United States from the job-killing Trans-Pacific Partnership.

TPP was bad in this respect: the corporate dominated Settlements Court that could overrule national, state and local environmental regulations, which could have been amended. But pulling out will leave the Pacific open to China’s domination. Global trade is not just vital for American companies and jobs (95% of the world’s market is outside the US), but is key to fostering cooperation instead of conflict among nations, who become partners instead of adversaries. Trade spreads American values and culture. China knows this, which is why they are building in Africa.

With the help of Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, we have formed a Council with our neighbors in Canada to help ensure that women entrepreneurs have access to the networks, markets and capital they need to start a business and live out their financial dreams.

To protect our citizens, I have directed the Department of Justice to form a Task Force on Reducing Violent Crime.

I have further ordered the Departments of Homeland Security and Justice, along with the Department of State and the Director of National Intelligence, to coordinate an aggressive strategy to dismantle the criminal cartels that have spread across our Nation.

We will stop the drugs from pouring into our country and poisoning our youth — and we will expand treatment for those who have become so badly addicted.

At the same time, my Administration has answered the pleas of the American people for immigration enforcement and border security.  By finally enforcing our immigration laws, we will raise wages, help the unemployed, save billions of dollars, and make our communities safer for everyone.  We want all Americans to succeed –- but that can’t happen in an environment of lawless chaos.  We must restore integrity and the rule of law to our borders.

Once again, false premise to set up his dystopic agenda.

For that reason, we will soon begin the construction of a great wall along our southern border. It will be started ahead of schedule and, when finished, it will be a very effective weapon against drugs and crime. 

                        Nonsense. 

As we speak, we are removing gang members, drug dealers and criminals that threaten our communities and prey on our citizens.  Bad ones are going out as I speak tonight and as I have promised. 

                        Not true. They are deporting anyone they get their hands on, regardless.

To any in Congress who do not believe we should enforce our laws,

There is no one in Congress who does not want laws adhered to, or who does not want undocumented immigrations who commit crimes to be deported. But by the way, Obama’s prioritizing who ICE should deport, which is what Trump claims to be doing, is no different than Trump telling authorities not to bother to enforce the Affordable Care Act (Obamacare) mandate. 

I would ask you this question:  what would you say to the American family that loses their jobs, their income, or a loved one, because America refused to uphold its laws and defend its borders?

Our obligation is to serve, protect, and defend the citizens of the United States.  We are also taking strong measures to protect our Nation from Radical Islamic Terrorism. 

                        There, he said it. Radical Islamic Terrorism. Now that solves the that problem. Terrorism is ended because he said the phrase out loud. And mixing up undocumented immigrants with terrorism is disgusting. 

According to data provided by the Department of Justice, the vast majority of individuals convicted for terrorism-related offenses since 9/11 came here from outside of our country.  We have seen the attacks at home -– from Boston to San Bernardino to the Pentagon and yes, even the World Trade Center.

Trump continues his broad attack on immigrants.

We have seen the attacks in France, in Belgium, in Germany and all over the world.

It is not compassionate, but reckless, to allow uncontrolled entry from places where proper vetting cannot occur.  Those given the high honor of admission to the United States should support this country and love its people and its values.

         Except that the Obama Administration did implement extreeeeemmme vetting, which is why it takes years for a family, which has been recommended by the UN, to go through a process that involves 25 agencies, and if there is a lack of information or any doubt, they are not admitted as refugees. Trump has NEVER specified the weakness in the vetting process. And no refugee who has come in under the Obama process has been involved in terrorism.

We cannot allow a beachhead of terrorism to form inside America — we cannot allow our Nation to become a sanctuary for extremists. 

                        Mythical thinking. 

That is why my Administration has been working on improved vetting procedures, and we will shortly take new steps to keep our Nation safe –– and to keep out those who would do us harm.

Once again, Trump had promised that he had the answers, but clearly he has none.

As promised, I directed the Department of Defense to develop a plan to demolish and destroy ISIS — a network of lawless savages that have slaughtered Muslims and Christians, and men, women, and children of all faiths and beliefs.  We will work with our allies, including our friends and allies in the Muslim world, to extinguish this vile enemy from our planet. 

                        But during the campaign, Trump insisted he had a plan, a secret plan, that he couldn’t divulge because then it wouldn’t be secret. He already had a plan, then said he would give his generals a month to deliver a plan. It is more than a month. Where’s the plan? In fact, the plan is the same plan as Obama had implemented, successfully cutting back territory ISIS controlled to a fraction, with Mosul in the last throes of ISIS control. Though Trump did say at one point that he wanted to send in hundreds more soldiers. He didn’t mention it in his speech. 

I have also imposed new sanctions on entities and individuals who support Iran’s ballistic missile program, and reaffirmed our unbreakable alliance with the State of Israel.

Finally, I have kept my promise to appoint a Justice to the United States Supreme Court — from my list of 20 judges — who will defend our Constitution.  I am honored to have Maureen Scalia with us in the gallery tonight.  Her late, great husband, Antonin Scalia, will forever be a symbol of American justice.  To fill his seat, we have chosen Judge Neil Gorsuch, a man of incredible skill, and deep devotion to the law.  He was confirmed unanimously to the Court of Appeals, and I am asking the Senate to swiftly approve his nomination.

Tonight, as I outline the next steps we must take as a country, we must honestly acknowledge the circumstances we inherited. 

                        That would be nice if he would “honestly acknowledge” the fact that he inherited a strong economy, saved from a Great Recession by Obama despite unprecedented obstruction from Republicans who refused to do what they have done through every other Recession, commit to spending on Infrastructure,  that Obama brought the unemployment rate down from 10% to 4.9%, tripled the stock market, created 15 million new jobs, record number of months of solid jobs growth, restored manufacturing, saw the first wage growth in years,  enabled 20 million Americans to have access to health insurance and brought the uninsured rate to the lowest in history. And more. 

Ninety-four million Americans are out of the labor force.

This is a meaningless figure because it covers people from age 15 – people who are in high school and college, disabled, parents preferring to stay at home with children, retirees (who can now afford to retire because their retirement funds have been restored under the Obama economy, and had access to Obamacare if they weren’t yet 65 and eligible for Medicare).

Over 43 million people are now living in poverty, and over 43 million Americans are on food stamps.

Inherited from decades-old policies that exacerbate the gap between rich and poor, that destroy the middle class, and that contributed to the Bush Great Recession which plunged people into poverty. As the economy has improved, instead of raising wages, employers have chosen to pocket the cash.

More than 1 in 5 people in their prime working years are not working.

Again, this includes people in school, who choose to stay home with children, who are disabled.

We have the worst financial recovery in 65 years.

In the last 8 years, the past Administration has put on more new debt than nearly all other Presidents combined.

That’s thanks to the Bush tax cuts followed by Iraq and Afghanistan wars ($1 trillion worth) that Bush put on the national credit card, but Obama a took responsibility for, even as he brought down the budget deficit faster than any president. 

We’ve lost more than one-fourth of our manufacturing jobs since NAFTA was approved, and we’ve lost 60,000 factories since China joined the World Trade Organization in 2001.

As every economist has now pointed out, the loss of manufacturing jobs is not entirely due to trade (which in fact, supports as many jobs through US exports as outsources), but more because of automation, which is continuing. Obama and Clinton offered plans for retraining, for new apprenticeships, for public-private cooperation with community colleges and vocational schools, and for reinvestment in advanced precision manufacturing and new sustainable industries. 

Our trade deficit in goods with the world last year was nearly $800 billion dollars.

Trump’s plan to impoverish Mexico and other countries through his trade barriers, tariffs (which will only spark a trade war) will rebound against national security, when people become desperately poor. 

And overseas, we have inherited a series of tragic foreign policy disasters.

Solving these, and so many other pressing problems, will require us to work past the differences of party.  It will require us to tap into the American spirit that has overcome every challenge throughout our long and storied history.

But to accomplish our goals at home and abroad, we must restart the engine of the American economy — making it easier for companies to do business in the United States, and much harder for companies to leave.

Right now, American companies are taxed at one of the highest rates anywhere in the world.

Except that profitable companies like GE and Apple don’t pay any US taxes because of the ease with which they can offshore profits. Trump should know how easy it is to evade taxes – he is still collecting on  a $1 billion LOSS. While the nominal corporate tax rate is high, NO COMPANY pays it, because of the ease with which they take deductions. The difference is made up by individual working stiffs. 

My economic team is developing historic tax reform that will reduce the tax rate on our companies so they can compete and thrive anywhere and with anyone.  At the same time, we will provide massive tax relief for the middle class.

Once again, Trump in the campaign said he had plans. He had none. He has none.    

We must create a level playing field for American companies and workers.

Currently, when we ship products out of America, many other countries make us pay very high tariffs and taxes — but when foreign companies ship their products into America, we charge them almost nothing.

I just met with officials and workers from a great American company, Harley-Davidson.  In fact, they proudly displayed five of their magnificent motorcycles, made in the USA, on the front lawn of the White House.

At our meeting, I asked them, how are you doing, how is business?  They said that it’s good.  I asked them further how they are doing with other countries, mainly international sales.  They told me — without even complaining because they have been mistreated for so long that they have become used to it — that it is very hard to do business with other countries because they tax our goods at such a high rate.  They said that in one case another country taxed their motorcycles at 100 percent.

     They weren’t even asking for change.  But I am.

I believe strongly in free trade but it also has to be FAIR TRADE.

The first Republican President, Abraham Lincoln, warned that the “abandonment of the protective policy by the American Government [will] produce want and ruin among our people.”

Lincoln was right — and it is time we heeded his words. I am not going to let America and its great companies and workers, be taken advantage of anymore.

If he bothered to learn anything from history, he would see what tariffs do to international trade, how they contributed to the Great Recession, and would be even worse now because as he clearly hasn’t noticed, the economy is global.

I am going to bring back millions of jobs.  Protecting our workers also means reforming our system of legal immigration.  The current, outdated system depresses wages for our poorest workers, and puts great pressure on taxpayers.

Nations around the world, like Canada, Australia and many others –- have a merit-based immigration system.  It is a basic principle that those seeking to enter a country ought to be able to support themselves financially.  Yet, in America, we do not enforce this rule, straining the very public resources that our poorest citizens rely upon.  According to the National Academy of Sciences, our current immigration system costs America’s taxpayers many billions of dollars a year.

None of this is based on fact. So much for “give us your tired, your poor. Your huddled masses yearning to breathe free.” So much for America as a beacon of freedom and safety from terror and violence. 

Switching away from this current system of lower-skilled immigration, and instead adopting a merit-based system, will have many benefits:  it will save countless dollars, raise workers’ wages, and help struggling families –- including immigrant families –- enter the middle class.

                 Interesting how he tosses out “bring back millions of jobs” and ties to immigrants. It is doubtful whether the undocumented immigrants take American jobs. But Trump’s notion, to shift to a merit system, means that middle class, college graduates will actually be the ones to find job opportunities more limited.

I believe that real and positive immigration reform is possible, as long as we focus on the following goals: to improve jobs and wages for Americans, to strengthen our nation’s security, and to restore respect for our laws.

What this country needs immediately is a way for the undocumented immigrants to be legalized, to come out of the shadows, to be able to work and drive legally, to no longer live with the terror of being rounded up and separated from their families and the homes they have built. Democrats should set aside the “path to citizenship” as core to comprehensive immigration reform. That issue should come in the future. The problem exists because there has not been an adequate framework – only 300 immigration judges. Trump’s militarized sweeps and use of private prisons as detention centers is inhumane. 

If we are guided by the well-being of American citizens then I believe Republicans and Democrats can work together to achieve an outcome that has eluded our country for decades. 

                        That’s the big ‘IF’. Trump is Anti-American, in the sense that he has no compassion for an individual American. 

Another Republican President, Dwight D. Eisenhower, initiated the last truly great national infrastructure program –- the building of the interstate highway system.  The time has come for a new program of national rebuilding.

America has spent approximately six trillion dollars in the Middle East, all this while our infrastructure at home is crumbling.  With this six trillion dollars we could have rebuilt our country –- twice.  And maybe even three times if we had people who had the ability to negotiate.

To launch our national rebuilding, I will be asking the Congress to approve legislation that produces a $1 trillion investment in the infrastructure of the United States — financed through both public and private capital –- creating millions of new jobs.

                        Democrats have been pushing for this for years. Obama proposed an Infrastructure Bank which Republicans refused. Obama had an American Jobs Act, which Republicans blocked. 

This effort will be guided by two core principles:  Buy American, and Hire American.

Tonight, I am also calling on this Congress to repeal and replace Obamacare with reforms that expand choice, increase access, lower costs, and at the same time, provide better Healthcare.

                        Interesting how he slips from infrastructure to Obamacare without a beat. But where is the plan?

Mandating every American to buy government-approved health insurance was never the right solution for America.  The way to make health insurance available to everyone is to lower the cost of health insurance, and that is what we will do.

Obamacare did lower the cost of health insurance, by requiring that 80% of the premium go toward patient care instead of corporate profits, marketing, administration.

Obamacare premiums nationwide have increased by double and triple digits.  As an example, Arizona went up 116 percent last year alone.  Governor Matt Bevin of Kentucky just said Obamacare is failing in his State — it is unsustainable and collapsing.

             The reason premiums went up in the second year was because companies had to guesstimate  in the first year, and because Republicans put every obstacle in place to make it difficult for insurance companies to be successful. Mend it, don’t end it.

One third of counties have only one insurer on the exchanges –- leaving many Americans with no choice at all.

Remember when you were told that you could keep your doctor, and keep your plan?

We now know that all of those promises have been broken.

You never could keep your doctor; plans were changing all the time. Obama misspoke.

     Obamacare is collapsing –- and we must act decisively to protect all Americans.  Action is not a choice –- it is a necessity.

Not true.

So I am calling on all Democrats and Republicans in the Congress to work with us to save Americans from this imploding Obamacare disaster.

Here are the principles that should guide the Congress as we move to create a better healthcare system for all Americans:

First, we should ensure that Americans with pre-existing conditions have access to coverage, and that we have a stable transition for Americans currently enrolled in the healthcare exchanges.

Secondly, we should help Americans purchase their own coverage, through the use of tax credits and expanded Health Savings Accounts –- but it must be the plan they want, not the plan forced on them by the Government.

Tax credits only help those earning enough to afford health care in the first place; the scheme they want is to give tax credits based on age, not income, so Rex Tillerson would get $3000 tax credit and a 30-year old grocery clerk would get $2000 – a pittance compared to the premium cost. Health Savings Accounts also only work to benefit the wealthy, not those who already have enough problems paying rent, food, transportation to work. And what if you have a cancer diagnosis the same week you open a Health Savings Account? This is a shell game.

Thirdly, we should give our great State Governors the resources and flexibility they need with Medicaid to make sure no one is left out.

The block grants proposed are not enough money and those Governors tend to apply block grants to their budget deficit so they can lower taxes on businesses and the wealthy. And the amount proposed would not reflect the numbers of individuals needing help. 

Fourthly, we should implement legal reforms that protect patients and doctors from unnecessary costs that drive up the price of insurance –

  Ah, the long-sought tort reform that Republicans are obsessed about.

and work to bring down the artificially high price of drugs and bring them down immediately.

                        At last, something that Democrats can support. Republicans are not likely to.

Finally, the time has come to give Americans the freedom to purchase health insurance across State lines –- creating a truly competitive national marketplace that will bring cost way down and provide far better care.

What this means is that states like New York that have strict standards, would no longer be able to insist on protections for their residents. It would result in a few companies dominating the insurance market. 

Everything that is broken in our country can be fixed.  Every problem can be solved.  And every hurting family can find healing, and hope.

                        Ah, here is the optimism that everyone is so relieved to hear from Trump.

Our citizens deserve this, and so much more –- so why not join forces to finally get it done?  On this and so many other things, Democrats and Republicans should get together and unite for the good of our country, and for the good of the American people.

My administration wants to work with members in both parties to make childcare accessible and affordable, to help ensure new parents have paid family leave, to invest in women’s health, and to promote clean air and clear water, and to rebuild our military and our infrastructure. 

                        Sounds great. Democrats would be on board. As for ‘promote clean air and clean water’ – so far, his executive orders overturn environmental protections. 

True love for our people requires us to find common ground, to advance the common good, and to cooperate on behalf of every American child who deserves a brighter future. 

            Once again, such lovely sentiment! But the way Trump and Republicans mean “common ground” is that Democrats accept their agenda, not that Republicans find a policy that forges consensus.

An incredible young woman is with us this evening who should serve as an inspiration to us all.

Today is Rare Disease day, and joining us in the gallery is a Rare Disease Survivor, Megan Crowley.  Megan was diagnosed with Pompe Disease, a rare and serious illness, when she was 15 months old.  She was not expected to live past 5.

On receiving this news, Megan’s dad, John, fought with everything he had to save the life of his precious child.  He founded a company to look for a cure, and helped develop the drug that saved Megan’s life.  Today she is 20 years old — and a sophomore at Notre Dame.

Megan’s story is about the unbounded power of a father’s love for a daughter.

But our slow and burdensome approval process at the Food and Drug Administration keeps too many advances, like the one that saved Megan’s life, from reaching those in need.

If we slash the restraints, not just at the FDA but across our Government, then we will be blessed with far more miracles like Megan.

In fact, our children will grow up in a Nation of miracles.

But to achieve this future, we must enrich the mind –- and the souls –- of every American child.

Education is the civil rights issue of our time.

I am calling upon Members of both parties to pass an education bill that funds school choice for disadvantaged youth, including millions of African-American and Latino children.  These families should be free to choose the public, private, charter, magnet, religious or home school that is right for them.

“School choice” is the backdoor to shifting public resources to for-profit schools and parochial schools in a violation of separation of Church and State. Meanwhile, no proof – in fact just the opposite – that charter schools, for-profit schools, parochial schools produce better results than public schools, if public schools are properly funded and have adequate resources. Also, public schools are forced to adhere to mandates which charter schools, private schools, parochial schools don’t, and do not have the same accountability for how they use funds or the educational results.

Joining us tonight in the gallery is a remarkable woman, Denisha Merriweather.  As a young girl, Denisha struggled in school and failed third grade twice.  But then she was able to enroll in a private center for learning, with the help of a tax credit scholarship program.  Today, she is the first in her family to graduate, not just from high school, but from college.  Later this year she will get her masters degree in social work.

We want all children to be able to break the cycle of poverty just like Denisha.

But to break the cycle of poverty, we must also break the cycle of violence.

The murder rate in 2015 experienced its largest single-year increase in nearly half a century.

Cherry picking a year because the result was up from a low year; historically, crime has been going down. But where is the focus on the easy access to guns?

In Chicago, more than 4,000 people were shot last year alone –- and the murder rate so far this year has been even higher.

This is not acceptable in our society.

So where is the discussion of controlling access to guns? Instead, Trump just signed Republican bill overturning the background check that would have made it harder for mentally ill to acquire assault weapons. Here again, his flowery language has nothing to do with actual policy. 

Every American child should be able to grow up in a safe community, to attend a great school, and to have access to a high-paying job.

But to create this future, we must work with –- not against -– the men and women of law enforcement.

We must build bridges of cooperation and trust –- not drive the wedge of disunity and division.

                        And how would he do that? He dismisses the reality of police brutality, institutional bias. He has no plan, no interest in addressing these issues. 

Police and sheriffs are members of our community.  They are friends and neighbors, they are mothers and fathers, sons and daughters – and they leave behind loved ones every day who worry whether or not they’ll come home safe and sound.

We must support the incredible men and women of law enforcement.

And we must support the victims of crime.

I have ordered the Department of Homeland Security to create an office to serve American Victims.  The office is called VOICE –- Victims Of Immigration Crime Engagement.  We are providing a voice to those who have been ignored by our media, and silenced by special interests.

So, the only victims of crime he gives a hoot about are those committed by immigrants, just as he has redefined “terrorism” to only address incidents by foreigners, not domestic terror acts, such as White Supremacists. This is the most callous statement of all, and shows Trump’s true stripe.

Joining us in the audience tonight are four very brave Americans whose government failed them.

Their names are Jamiel Shaw, Susan Oliver, Jenna Oliver, and Jessica Davis.

Jamiel’s 17-year-old son was viciously murdered by an illegal immigrant gang member, who had just been released from prison.  Jamiel Shaw Jr. was an incredible young man, with unlimited potential who was getting ready to go to college where he would have excelled as a great quarterback.  But he never got the chance.  His father, who is in the audience tonight, has become a good friend of mine.

Also with us are Susan Oliver and Jessica Davis.  Their husbands –- Deputy Sheriff Danny Oliver and Detective Michael Davis –- were slain in the line of duty in California.  They were pillars of their community.  These brave men were viciously gunned down by an illegal immigrant with a criminal record and two prior deportations.

Sitting with Susan is her daughter, Jenna.  Jenna:  I want you to know that your father was a hero, and that tonight you have the love of an entire country supporting you and praying for you.

To Jamiel, Jenna, Susan and Jessica:  I want you to know –- we will never stop fighting for justice.  Your loved ones will never be forgotten, we will always honor their memory.

Finally, to keep America Safe we must provide the men and women of the United States military with the tools they need to prevent war and –- if they must –- to fight and to win.

I am sending the Congress a budget that rebuilds the military, eliminates the Defense sequester, and calls for one of the largest increases in national defense spending in American history.

                        The US already spends more than the next 7 nations combined, including China and Russia, which each spend a fraction. The US was able to wind down spending as it wound down involvement in Iraq and Afghanistan.

My budget will also increase funding for our veterans.

Our veterans have delivered for this Nation –- and now we must deliver for them.

The challenges we face as a Nation are great.  But our people are even greater.

And none are greater or braver than those who fight for America in uniform.

We are blessed to be joined tonight by Carryn Owens, the widow of a U.S. Navy Special Operator, Senior Chief William “Ryan” Owens.  Ryan died as he lived:  a warrior, and a hero –- battling against terrorism and securing our Nation.

I just spoke to General Mattis, who reconfirmed that, and I quote, “Ryan was a part of a highly successful raid that generated large amounts of vital intelligence that will lead to many more victories in the future against our enemies.”  Ryan’s legacy is etched into eternity.  For as the Bible teaches us, there is no greater act of love than to lay down one’s life for one’s friends.  Ryan laid down his life for his friends, for his country, and for our freedom –- we will never forget him. 

                        This was a sick exploitation of this family’s grief, in order to evade his responsibility for his ignorance in ordering an attack that was not adequately planned because he had no clue and no care. Trump blames everyone else for its colossal failure including the loss of Owens’ life as well as dozens of civilians. He blames the generals. He blames Obama. But he made the decision in an offhand manner, over dinner. He summons the Bible, the holiness, the nobility of Owens’ sacrifice, just as Bush/Cheney did to deflect their utter failure after 9/11. If this were Obama or Clinton, there would have been howls for investigations and hounding for months, years, millions of dollars and commissions and investigations just as they did into Benghazi.

To those allies who wonder what kind of friend America will be, look no further than the heroes who wear our uniform.

Our foreign policy calls for a direct, robust and meaningful engagement with the world.  It is American leadership based on vital security interests that we share with our allies across the globe.

We strongly support NATO, an alliance forged through the bonds of two World Wars that dethroned fascism, and a Cold War that defeated communism.

But our partners must meet their financial obligations. 

            BIG BUT. Trump says one thing at the beginning, but basically says, the US will only stand up when it is in our interest. 

And now, based on our very strong and frank discussions, they are beginning to do just that.

We expect our partners, whether in NATO, in the Middle East, or the Pacific –- to take a direct and meaningful role in both strategic and military operations, and pay their fair share of the cost.

We will respect historic institutions, but we will also respect the sovereign rights of nations.

Free nations are the best vehicle for expressing the will of the people –- and America respects the right of all nations to chart their own path.  My job is not to represent the world.  My job is to represent the United States of America. But we know that America is better off, when there is less conflict — not more.

We must learn from the mistakes of the past –- we have seen the war and destruction that have raged across our world.

The only long-term solution for these humanitarian disasters is to create the conditions where displaced persons can safely return home and begin the long process of rebuilding.

America is willing to find new friends, and to forge new partnerships, where shared interests align.  We want harmony and stability, not war and conflict.

We want peace, wherever peace can be found.  America is friends today with former enemies.  Some of our closest allies, decades ago, fought on the opposite side of these World Wars.  This history should give us all faith in the possibilities for a better world.

Hopefully, the 250th year for America will see a world that is more peaceful, more just and more free.

On our 100th anniversary, in 1876, citizens from across our Nation came to Philadelphia to celebrate America’s centennial.  At that celebration, the country’s builders and artists and inventors showed off their creations.

Alexander Graham Bell displayed his telephone for the first time.

Remington unveiled the first typewriter.  An early attempt was made at electric light.

Thomas Edison showed an automatic telegraph and an electric pen.

Imagine the wonders our country could know in America’s 250th year.

Think of the marvels we can achieve if we simply set free the dreams of our people.

Cures to illnesses that have always plagued us are not too much to hope.

American footprints on distant worlds are not too big a dream.

Millions lifted from welfare to work is not too much to expect.

And streets where mothers are safe from fear — schools where children learn in peace — and jobs where Americans prosper and grow — are not too much to ask.

When we have all of this, we will have made America greater than ever before. For all Americans.

This is our vision. This is our mission.

But we can only get there together.

We are one people, with one destiny.

We all bleed the same blood.

We all salute the same flag.

And we are all made by the same God.

And when we fulfill this vision; when we celebrate our 250 years of glorious freedom, we will look back on tonight as when this new chapter of American Greatness began.

                        Trump, the Savior.

The time for small thinking is over.  The time for trivial fights is behind us.

                        Trivial fights? Is it trivial to fight for health care. That is life and death. Is it trivial to protect the environment, to stop the progress toward climate change? That is an existential fight. Is it trivial to want to preserve a woman’s right to choose? That is a matter of her entire future. Only Trump would see these “differences” as “trivial” and merely “political” just as he dismisses the millions of protesters as “paid professional activists.”

We just need the courage to share the dreams that fill our hearts.

                        An, so simple. Everything is simple. Especially when you don’t know anything. Like health care. “Who knew health care was so complicated?” Everybody.

The bravery to express the hopes that stir our souls.

And the confidence to turn those hopes and dreams to action.

From now on, America will be empowered by our aspirations, not burdened by our fears –-

     inspired by the future, not bound by the failures of the past –-

     and guided by our vision, not blinded by our doubts.

I am asking all citizens to embrace this Renewal of the American Spirit.

Actually, my spirit is sucked out of me. I see the rest of my life suffering under the calamities that Trump is fomenting. This entire nation has been rendered unrecognizable in just one month’s time. For the rest of my life, I will never see the America that we should have had.

I am asking all members of Congress to join me in dreaming big, and bold and daring things for our country.  And I am asking everyone watching tonight to seize this moment and —

Believe in yourselves.

Believe in your future.

And believe, once more, in America.

Thank you, God bless you, and God Bless these United States.

Once again, Trump casts himself as the Savior, by first casting this dystopian image of America.