welcome to this bbc news special. reporting from washington, i'm katty kay. in just a few minutes, president trump will deliver first speech to a joint session of congress, and the wider american public, about what he hopes to accomplish during his term in office. the white house says it will be an optimistic speech. but given it's donald trump, we can also expect the unexpected. with me now and throughout the evening is the republican strategist ron christie and time contributor as well. i spent some time this afternoon speaking with senior white house officials, they said the president is very optimistic about what he is going to present, not just to the american people but to his fellow republicans. there is a sense that the republicans are not on the same page in relation to federal spending, taxes and the repeal of obamacare. this is going

to be an optimistic speech, notjust to be an optimistic speech, notjust to be an optimistic speech, notjust to be american people but to the american congress. there are at least two audiences, if not more for this address. for these big addresses. the president needs to win over the people in the room, and just as importantly, win over those watching on television. the numbers of those watching on television have declined by almost 50% in the last few decades. president pays attention to his ratings, so it will be interesting to see how many people to tune into this. —— the president. i think it is crucial in this address, he really has to start legislating. he has not introduced any legislation yet. a lot of members of congress have expressed concern about him not pushing hard enough, championing things for. has done a lot of executive orders but not a lot of policies. here is the

joint session of congress, the floor of congress. you have members of the senate and the house of representatives there. then on the balconies around the top, you have guessed who have been invited. there is vice president mike pence, and the speaker of the house is paul ryan. both republicans. blue is a colour associated with the democratic party, however the republicans are wearing blue ties tonight. we have not seen this for a while, and address to congress we both the people sitting behind the president are from his own party quite a low we have not seen that for some time. that is an interesting angle. how do the vice president and speaker of the house react to what the president is saying? i will be looking at one side of the chamber versus the other. other republicans going to cheer when donald trump comes out in talks about appealing obamacare? what are the democrats going to do?

that is the opposite of what we have had for the last eight years? yes, for at least the last eight years, we have seen republicans in the reverse role. democrats already, democratic women are uniformly dressed in white or purple, because those are the colours of suffrage in america and they are trying to declare themselves feminist to donald trump in the world. so there is already some activism going on in the room. the president of the united states. talking about donald trump coming into the chamber on capitol hill. the tradition is that members will take their seats hours beforehand, critical seats on the sides of the eye also they can shake the hands of the president as he comes in. all of them want to be

seen having their little moment with the commander—in—chief. you can see one of the members having a quick word with donald trump. it may be a legislative issue that he has or an agenda that he wants to push. trying to talk to the president about that. we also have members of the supreme court in the chamber now, members of donald trump's cabinet, top military figures as well. there is always one member of the cabinet who is absent, who goes to an undisclosed location, in case anything were to happen at this address. i am not quite sure who that is this evening. we should also point out the first lady, she has not been in washington very much but she has come down for this address and we'll have her gaffe as well. you can see behind him the republican leadership in the house

of the senate, the republican majority leader, mitch mcconnell. the senate majority leader. we also have the number four in the senate, the republican in the house, excuse me. the leadership comes behind them, they sit in the front rows behind the generals and the justices of the supreme court who are in the first rows. it is remarkable. if somebody had told you a one year ago that on this evening, you would be watching the new president of the united states come into congress for their first joint address, united states come into congress for theirfirstjoint address, their first effective state of the union, where would you have ranked the chances of that president being donald trump? not very high. i think he took the republican establishment and the world by storm. he ran as someone and the world by storm. he ran as someone who was and the world by storm. he ran as someone who was very and the world by storm. he ran as someone who was very controversial, draining the swamp, and that has

been amazing. the footage of him coming down the aisle, you can see the folks here who have shown up almost 12 or 13 hours ahead of time so almost 12 or 13 hours ahead of time so that they can have their moment, get on national television. sometimes it is detrimental. one man got ina sometimes it is detrimental. one man got in a lot of trouble in 2000 for basically kissing president obama on the cheek. he was up for re—election, he got killed for that. it depends... if you are on the other side of the aisle, do you want to be out hugging and kissing people? this speech, we are expecting it to be more positive than the inaugural address. it is also a victory lap for donald trump. he has a copy of his speech to the vice president and the speaker of the house. mike pence and paul ryan.

we understand he is going to speak for over an hour, this is going to bea for over an hour, this is going to be a lengthy address. the members of the democratic caucus, dressed in white as we were saying earlier. the speaker of the house will gather the house into session, announced the president of the united states, there will be a lot more cheering, more laughter, and then the president will finally get into it. we are still a few moments away before we start the speech. they are sitting there silently at the moment. some people are on their seats cheering. we talked about how much republicans might applaud him tonight. thank you very much. members of congress, i have the higher privilege and the distinct honour of presenting to you the

president of the united states. -- high. thank you very much. mr speaker, mr vice president, members of congress, the first lady of the united states... (cheering and applause) and citizens of america. tonight, as

we mark the conclusion of our celebration of black history month, we are reminded of our nation's past towards civil rights and the work that still remains to be done. —— black history month. applause recent threats targeting jewish community centres and vandalism of jewish jewish community centres and vandalism ofjewish cemeteries, as well as the shooting last week 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 of its very ugly forms. applause each american generation passes the tort of truth, liberty and justice in an unbroken chain, all the way down to the president. that taught 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 new chapter... applause of

american greatness is now beginning. 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. our allies will find that america is once again ready to lead. applause all the nations of the world, friend orfoe, will find all the nations of the world, friend or foe, will find that america all the nations of the world, friend orfoe, will find that america is strong, proud, and america is free. in nine years, the united states will celebrate the 250th anniversary

of ourfounding. 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 m ista kes children? i will not allow the mistakes of recent decades passed to define the course of our future. for too long, we've watched our middle—class shrink, as we've exported ourjobs and wealth to foreign countries. we've and built one global project after another, but ignored the fate of our children. the inner cities of chicago, baltimore, detroitand children. 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 spent trillions and trillions of dollars of this is while our infrastructure at home has so badly crumbled. then, in 2016, the earth shifted beneath our feet. the rebellion in 2016, the earth shifted beneath ourfeet. the rebellion started, as a quiet protest, spoken by families of all colours and creeds. families who just wanted a fair shot for their children. and a fair hearing for their concerns. but then, the quiet voices became a loud chorus as thousands of citizens now spoke out together. from city is 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 we re by the tens of millions, and they were all united by one very simple but crucial demands. that america must put its own citizens first. it was only then can we truly make america great again. applause dying industries will come roaring back to life. heroic veterans will get the care they so desperately need. our military will be giving the resources it's brave warriors so richly deserve. crumbling infrastructure will be replaced with new roads, bridges, tunnels, airports and railway is gleaming

across our very, very airports and railway is gleaming across our very, very beautiful land. our terrible drug academic will slow down and ultimately stop and our neglected inner cities will see a rebirth of hope, safety and opportunity. above all else, we will keep our promises to the american people. applause it's been a little over a month since my inauguration and i want to ta ke 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, intel, walmart and many others have announced that they will invest billions and billions of dollars in the united states and

will create tens of thousands of new americanjobs. will create tens of thousands of new american jobs. applause the stock market has gained almost $3 trillion in value since the election on november the eighth, a record. we've saved taxpayers hundreds of millions of dollars by bringing down the price of fantastic, and it is a fantastic, new f 35jet the price of fantastic, and it is a fantastic, new f 35 jet fighter the price of fantastic, and it is a fantastic, new f 35jet fighter and we'll be saving billions more on contracts all across our government. we've placed a hiring freeze on non—military and non— essential federal workers. we have begun to drain the swamp of government corruption by imposing a five—year

ban on lobbying by executive branch officials and a lifetime ban... applause thank you. and a lifetime ban on becoming lobbyists for a foreign government. we have undertaken an historic effort to massively reduce job crushing regulations, creating a deregulation task force inside of every government agency. applause and we're imposing a new rule which mandates that for everyone new regulation, two old regulations must be eliminated. applause we're going to stop the

regulations that threaten the future and livelihood of our great coalminers. applause we have cleared the way for the construction of the keystone and da kota the construction of the keystone and dakota accessed pipelines. applause -- accessed pipelines. thereby creating tens of thousands ofjobs and i've issued a new directive that new american

pipelines be made with american steel. applause we've withdrawn the united states from the job killing trans—pacific partnership. applause and with the help of prime minister justin trudeau, we have formed a council with our neighbours 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. applause to protect our citizens, i have

directed the department ofjustice 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 co—ordinate an aggressive strategy to dismantle the criminal cartels that have spread all across our nation. applause 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. applause at the same time, my administration has answered the pleas of the american people for immigration enforcement and border security. applause by by finally enforcing our immigration laws, we will raise wages, help the unemployed, save billions and billions of dollars and make our communities safer for everyone. applause we wa nt 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 at our borders. applause for that reason, we will soon begin the construction of a great, great wall along our southern border. as we speak tonight, we are moving gang members, drug dealers and criminals that threaten our communities and prey on our very innocent citizens. bad ones are going out as i speak, and as i

promised throughout the campaign. to any in congress who do not believe we should in force our laws, i would ask you this one question. what would you say to the american family that loses their jobs, would you say to the american family that loses theirjobs, their income or their 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're also taking strong united states. we're also taking strong measures united states. we're also taking strong measures to protect our nation from radical islamic terrorism. applause according to data provided by the

department ofjustice, the vast majority of individuals convicted of terrorism and terrorism related offences 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 centre. we have seen the attacks in france, in belgium and in germany and all over the world. it is not compassionate but reckless to allow uncontrolled entry from places where proper vetting cannot occur. applause those given the high honour

of admission to the united states should support this country and love its people and its values. we cannot allow a beachhead of terrorism to form inside america, we cannot allow our nation to become a sanctuary for extremists. applause 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 those out who will do us harm. applause as promised, i directed the department of defence to develop a plan to demolish and destroy isis, a network of lawless savages who have slaughtered muslims and christians and men and women and children of all faiths and all beliefs. we will work with our allies,

including ourfriends we will work with our allies, including our friends and allies we will work with our allies, including ourfriends and allies in the muslim world, to extinguish this vile enemy from our planet. applause applause i have also imposed new sanctions on entities and individuals who support iran's ballistic missile programme and reaffirmed our unbreakable alliance with the state of israel. applause 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. applause iam i am greatly honoured to have maureen scalia with us in the gallery tonight. applause thank you, maureen. her late, great husband antonin scully will forever be a symbol of americanjustice. to scully will forever be a symbol of

american justice. to fill his seat, we have chosen judge american justice. to fill his seat, we have chosenjudge neil gorsuch, a man of incredible skill and deep devotion to the law. he was confirmed unanimously by the court of appeals and i am asking the senate to swiftly approve his nomination. applause tonight as i outlined the next steps we must take as a country, we must honestly acknowledge the circumstances we inherited. —— outline. 94 million americans are out of the labour force. over 43 million people are now living in poverty and over 43 million americans are on food stamps. more than one in five people in their prime working years are not working. we have the worst financial recovery

in 65 years. in the last eight yea rs, in 65 years. in the last eight years, the past administration has put on more new debt and nearly all the other presidents combined. we've lost more than one quarter of our manufacturing jobs since nafta was approved and we've lost 60,000 factories since china joined the world trade organisation in 2001. our trade deficit in goods with the world last year was nearly $800 billion. and overseas we have inherited a series of tragic foreign policy disasters. solving these and so 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 storeyed history. but to accomplish

our goals at home and abroad we must restart the engine of the american economy, making it easierfor companies to do business in the united states and much, much harder for companies to leave our country. applause right now, american companies are taxed at one of the highest rates of anywhere in the world. the economic team is developing tax reform that will reduce tax rate on our companies so that they can compete and thrive anywhere and with anyone. it will be anywhere and with anyone. it will be a big, big cut. at the same time, we

will provide massive tax relief for the middle class. we must create a level playing field for american companies and our workers. applause i , —— currently, when we ship our country products overseas, they make us country products overseas, they make us pay very high tax. but when foreign companies ship products into america, we charge them nothing or almost nothing. ijust 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. and they wanted me to write one, and i said, no thank you. at our meeting, i asked

them, how are you doing? how was business? they said it was good. i asked them, how are you doing with other countries? mainly, international sales? they told me, without even complaining, because they had been so mistreated for so long, that they'd become used to it. but it's very hard to do business with other countries, because they tax our goods at such a high rate. they said that in the case of another country, they tax their motorcycles at 100%. they won't even asking for a change, but i am. i believe. applause i believe strongly in free trade.

but it also have to be fair trade. it's been a long time since we had 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. he was right. it's time we heeded his advice and words. i am it's time we heeded his advice and words. iam not it's time we heeded his advice and words. i am not going to let america and its great companies and workers be taken advantage of any longer. they have taken advantage of our country. no longer. i am going to bring back millions ofjobs, protecting our work is 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's a basic principle that those seeking to enter a country ought to be able support themselves financially. yet, in america, we do not enforce this rule. straining the very public resources that our citizens rely upon. according to the national academy of sciences, our current system costs taxpayers many billions of dollars a year. —— sciences. switching away from the system of lower skilled immigration, and

instead adopting a merit—based system, we will have so many more benefits. it will save countless dollars, raise workers wages and help struggling families, including immigrantfamilies, help struggling families, including immigrant families, entered the middle—class. they will do it quickly and be happy indeed. applause i believe that real and positive immigration reform is possible, as long as we focus on the following goals. to approvejobs possible, as long as we focus on the following goals. to approve jobs and wages for americans. to strengthen our nation's security. and to restore respect for our laws. 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. another republican president, dwight eisenhower, initiated the last truly great national infrastructure programme. the building of the interstate highway system. the time has come for a new programme of national rebuilding. applause america has spent approximately $6 trillion in the middle east. all the

while, our infrastructure at home is crumbling. with this $6 trillion, 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 congress to approve legislation that produces a $1 trillion investment in infrastructure in the united states, financed through public and private capital, creating millions of new jobs. this effort will be guided by

two core principles. by american and higher american. —— buy. two core principles. by american and higheramerican. —— buy. tonighti am also calling on this congress to repeal and replace obamacare. cheering with reforms that expand choice, increase access, lower cost and at the same time, provide better healthcare. mandating the same time, provide better healthca re. mandating every the same time, provide better healthcare. mandating every american to buy government approved health

insurance was never the right solution for our country. the way to make health insurance available to eve ryo ne make health insurance available to everyone is to lower the cost of health insurance, and that is what we are going to do. applause obamacare premiums nationwide have increased by double and triple digit. as an example, arizona went up 116% last year alone. the governor of kentuckyjust said obamacare is failing in his state, the state of kentucky. and it's unsustainable and collapsed. one third of the counties have only

one insured. they are losing them so fast. they are leaving, and many americans have no choice at all. there is no choice left. 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 totally broken. obamacare is promises have been totally broken. obamaca re is collapsing promises have been totally broken. obamacare is collapsing and we must act decisively to protect all americans. action is not a choice. it is a necessity. so i am calling on all democrats and republicans in congress to work with us to save americans from this imploding obamacare americans from this imploding obamaca re disaster. here are the principles that should

guide 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 for americans currently enrolled in the healthca re exchanges. applause secondly, we should help americans purchase their own coverage through the help of tax credits and savings accounts. but it must be the planned they want, not the plan. men by our government. —— plan forced on them by our

government. —— the plan. thirdly, we should give a state governors the resources and flexibility they need with medicaid to make sure no one is left out. fourth, we should implement legal reforms that protect patients and dock is from unnecessary patients and dock is from u nnecessa ry costs patients and dock is from unnecessary costs that drive up the price of insurance, and worked to bring down the artificially high price of drugs, and bring them down immediately. and finally, the time

has come to give americans the freedom to purchase health insurance across state lines. applause that will create a truly competitive national market place that will bring costs way down and provide far better care. so important. everything that is broken in our country can be fixed. every problem can be solved. and every hurting family canfind can be solved. and every hurting family can find healing and hope. our citizens deserve this. and so much more. so, why notjoin forces and finally get the job done, and get it done right? 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. applause my applause my administration wants to work with members of both parties to make child care accessible and affordable, to help ensure new pa rents affordable, to help ensure new parents that they have paid family leave. applause to invest in women's health and to promote clean air and clean water and to rebuild our military and our

infrastructure. applause true love for our people requires us to find common ground, to advance the common good and to co—operate on behalf of every american child who deserves a much brighterfuture. 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 the rare disease survive. megan crowley. applause megan was diagnosed with a rare and

serious illness, pompeii disease, when she was 15 months old. she was not expected to live past five. upon receiving this news, her dad john ford with everything he had to save the life of his precious child. he found a company to look for a cure and helped develop the drug that saved rare disease day's life. today she is 20 and a soft more at notre dame. megan's story is about the unbowed

and power of a father's love. the slow 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 need. if we slash the restraints, notjust at the fda but need. if we slash the restraints, not just at the fda but across our government, then we will be blessed with far more americans just like megan. applause in fact, our children will grow up ina 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. applause iam applause i am calling upon members of both parties to pass an education bill that fund school for disadvantaged kids, including millions of african—american and latino children. applause these families should be free to choose the public, private, charter, religious or homeschool that is right for them. applause joining us tonight, in the gallery, isa joining us tonight, in the gallery, is a remarkable woman. as a young

girlshe is a remarkable woman. as a young girl she struggled in school and failed third grade twice, but then she was able to end role in a private centre for learning, with the help of a tax credit and a scholarship programme. today she is the first in herfamily scholarship programme. today she is the first in her family to graduate not just from high the first in her family to graduate notjust 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. applause 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. in chicago, more than 4000 people we re in chicago, more than 4000 people were shot last year alone and the murder rate so far this year has been even higher. this is not a cce pta ble been even higher. this is not acceptable in our society. applause 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... not against, the men and women of law enforcement. applause we must build bridges of

co—operation and trust, not drive the wedge of disunity and really that's what it is — division, pure unadulterated division. we have to unify. police and sheriffs are member of our community. friends and neighbours, mothers and fathers, sons and daughters, and they leave behind loved ones every day to worry about whether or not they will come home safe and sound. we must support the incredible men and women of law enforcement. applause and we must support the big is of

crime. —— victims. i've ordered the department of homeland security to create an office to serve american victims. victims of immigration crime engagement. we are providing a voice to those who have been ignored and silenced by special interests. joining as... applause joining us in the audience tonight are four very brave americans, whose government failed them. their names arejemille shaw, government failed them. their names are jemille shaw, susan government failed them. their names arejemille shaw, susan oliver, jenna oliver and jessica davis.

jemille's17—year—old son was viciously murdered by an illegal immigrant gang member who had just been released from prison. he was an incredible young man with unlimited potential, who was getting ready to go to college, where he would have excelled as a great college quarterback. but he never got the chance. his father, who is in the audience tonight, has become a very good friend of mine. jemille, thank you. thank you. also with us are susan oliver and

jessica davis. their husbands were slain in the line of duty in california. they were pillars of their community. these brave men we re their community. these brave men were viciously gunned down by an illegal immigrant with a criminal record and two prior deportations should have never been in our country. sitting with susan is her daughter, jenna. i want to that your father was a hero and tonight you have the love on an entire country supporting you and praying for you. applause to the fore of you, i want you to

know we will never stop writing for justice. your loved ones will never be forgotten. we will always on their memory. applause 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, if they must. they have to fight and they must. they have to fight and they only have to win. applause iam sending applause i am sending congress budget that rebuilds the military, eliminates the defence sequester... applause and calls for one of the largest

increases in national defence spending in american history. my budget will also increase funding for our veterans. our veterans have delivered for this nation and now we must deliver for delivered for this nation and now we must deliverfor them. applause the challenges we face as a nation are clear, —— rate, but our people are clear, —— rate, but our people are even greater and none are greater or braver than those who fight for america in uniform. applause we are blessed to be toured the ——

to bejoined we are blessed to be toured the —— to be joined tonight we are blessed to be toured the —— to bejoined tonight by we are blessed to be toured the —— to be joined tonight by the widow of a senior operated, senior chief william ryan owens. he died as he lived, a hero, battling against terrorism and securing a nation. ijust spoke to

i just spoke to our great general mattis just now, who i just spoke to our great general mattisjust now, who reconfirmed that," ryan was a part of a highly successful group that gathered highly successful intelligence that will lead to many more victories in the future against our enemy. ryan's legacy is etched into eternity". thank you. and ryan is looking down right now, you know that, and he's very happy because i think he just broke a record. the bible teaches us there is no greater act of love than to lay down 1's life for 1's friends. ryan laid down his life or his friends, his country and for our

freedom, and we will never forget ryan —— one's. applause to do allies who wonder what kind of a friend in america will be, look no further than the heroes who wear our uniform. our foreign policy further than the heroes who wear our uniform. ourforeign policy calls for direct, robust and meaningful engagement with the world. it is a relationship based on vital security allies that we share across the globe. we strongly support nato, an alliance forced —— forged with a bond of two world wars. and a cold

war. and defeated communism. but our partners must meet their financial obligations. and now, based on our very strong and frank discussions, they are beginning to do just that. in fact, i can tell you the money is pouring in. very nice. we expect our partners, whether in nato, the middle east or the pacific, to take a directand middle east or the pacific, to take a direct and meaningful role in both strategic and military operations. and pay theirfair share of strategic and military operations. and pay their fair share of the cost. they have to do that. we will respect historic institutions and we will respect the foreign rights of

all nations. and they have to respect our rights as a nation will slow. —— nation also. nations are best for expressing the will of the people, and america respects the right of all nations to chart their own path. myjob is not to represent the world. myjob is to represent the world. myjob 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 mistakes the past, we have seen the war and the

destruction that have ravaged and raged throughout the world, all across the world. the only long—term solution for these humanitarian disasters, in many cases, is to create the conditions where displaced persons can safely returned home and begin the long process of rebuilding. america is willing to find new friends and forge new partnerships where shared interests aligned. we want harmony and stability, not war and conflict. we wa nt 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 terrible wars. this history should keep us ——

give a full faith in the possibilities for the world. hopefully in the 250th year of america we will see a world that is more peaceful, just and free. now 100 anniversary, in 1876, citizens from across our nation came together to celebrate america's centennial. at that celebration, the country's builders and inventors showed off their wonderful creations. alexander graham bell displayed his telephone for the first time. remington unveiled the first typewriter. an early attempt was made at electric lighting. thomas edison showed an electric telegraph and an electric pen. imagine the wonders of our country could no in america's 250th year. —— know. think of the marvels

we can achieve if we simply set free the dreams of our people? do is to the dreams of our people? do is to the 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. in 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. applause when we have all of this, we will have made america greater than ever before. for all

have made america greater than ever before. forallamericans, 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 destiny. we all bleed the same blood. we all salute the same great american flag. and we all are made by the same god. applause when we fulfil 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. the time for small thinking is over. the time

for small thinking is over. the time for trivial fights is behind for small thinking is over. the time for trivialfights is behind us. we just need the courage to share the dreams that feel our hearts. the bravery to express the hope is that we believe in, and the confidence to turn those hopes into action. from now on, america will be empowered by our aspirations, not burdened by our fears. inspired by the future, not bound by failures of the past. and guided by a vision, not blinded by our doubts. i guided by a vision, not blinded by ourdoubts. iam guided by a vision, not blinded by our doubts. i am asking all citizens to embrace this renewal of the american spirit. i am asking all members of congress to join me american spirit. i am asking all members of congress tojoin me in dreaming big and bold, and there is is for our country. i am asking eve ryo ne is for our country. i am asking everyone watching tonight to seize this moment, believe in yourselves, believe in your future and believe

once more in america. thank you, god bless you and god bless the united states. applause donald trump giving his first address to a congress session, laying out the things he has achieved in his first months as president in setting the agenda for what he wants to achieve over the course of the next four years. he talked about the fact he had kept his promises on economics and building a border with mexico, his conservative policies on immigration, reducing regulations.

he also talked about wanting $1 trillion infrastructure bill, repealing and replacing obamacare and laying out a list of things he would like to do. of course, those listening will have to agree to the listening will have to agree to the list of things and whether the contents list of things and whether the co nte nts of list of things and whether the contents of his speech actually make it into law for america, we will see. often these speeches to congress tend to be wish lists, and they tend to remain in the well wishes rather than fact. one thing is clear, this is not president trump as we heard him on inauguration day. it was a more positive and normal speech for a president to give. it was not one that was filled with american carnage. this was one about hope and what america can achieve. i have still got with me jamie what america can achieve. i have still got with mejamie walker, contributed to time magazine, and ron christie. was this the speech he needed to give? yes. i think he will

be very happy with this speech. it had a very positive tone. he said at the outset he wanted to have a more positive vision for the speech, i think he delivered on that. the donald trump we heard tonight was not the rambunctious flamethrower we have heard in the past. he had a section talking about women's health, clean air, clean water. paid family leave. who was at donald trump? some sections sounded a bit like a democratic speech. barack obama brought up women's health and family leave as well. it also struck me that it was not a classic donald trump speech. it was not the man we have grown used to hearing during the course of his campaign —— democratic. somebody changed him for us? indeed. as we were saying during

the speech, i don't know that donald trump's supporters in the middle of the country watching this would recognise him. this was not the man they elected to disrupt things. he was talking about working with the system, changing it, working with democrats, reaching across the idle, repeatedly calling to support his plans for a $1 trillion infrastructure bill, for replacing obamacare, immigration reform. if you go down a list of things that he mentioned, in terms of policy, this could have been obama's speech may be four years ago. immigration reform, medicaid expansion, clean airand water, reform, medicaid expansion, clean air and water, women's health and entrepreneurialism. these are democratic ideals. you wonder where republicans, what they are thinking. these are things that they do not wa nt these are things that they do not want to find —— democratic. these are things that they do not want to find -- democratic. the

president is leaving the chamber. he will make his way back to the white house. we know that he will then be getting a glimpse of the reviews on american tv channels. he will get a chance to see what has been made of his speech. he will be saying goodbye to a few things, saying goodbye to a few things, saying goodbye to a few things, saying goodbye to members of congress who have been waiting for him. then he will make his way out. what we are waiting for is, traditionally the democrats give a response to the president's address and the response this evening is coming from the former governor of kentucky. he will be speaking in a few minutes time, talking about healthca re. be speaking in a few minutes time, talking about healthcare. the president said that obamacare has been a disaster for kentucky, i think we will hear a different story from the former governor. i think he

will be pointing out that obamacare has been good for the state. in terms of what he laid out, these are often wish lists? getting beyond the stage of wish lists and into law, thatis stage of wish lists and into law, that is difficult? it is. when we first started deceiving, donald trump faced a very divided republican party. they wanted to dramatically cut taxes, they do not wa nt to dramatically cut taxes, they do not want to find a lot of infrastructure initiatives... they won't be able to pay for a replacement to the obamacare plan if they also want to roll back the tax hikes that president obama wanted to put in place to pay for it was your yes, and nearly $54 billion that the president wants to increase in defence funding as well, it is going to be very interesting tomorrow when

the republicans gather, to review what they heard tonight, i guarantee there will be a lot of discussions about not wanting to fund a lot of the things that president trump outlined last night. i suspect he will get good reviews for this speech from the american press. journalists have already tweeted that he appeared at his most presidential since he had been a lack did. yet he may have qualms from his own party —— elected. donald trump's speciality has been division. perhaps in being presidential it isn't that surprising that he is still being divisive in many ways. he is leaving the chamber, so we will let him go and we will chat in the studio until we get the democratic response. and we will chat in the studio until we get the democratic responsem isn't that surprising that he is a divisive character still, even when he has gravitas and can deliver a great speech. he is still dividing the party and democrats. he saw

notably, a lot of these things that democrat support, they were sitting there and stone silent, not supporting them. even though these are things they've called on congress to pass for years, he was asking democrats to come together to improve obamacare. he notably did not say repeal or replace, he said improved. at least two women, democratic women, were going hands down like this. they were actively opposing him and this is a party that will stand firm against him, so he wants to get 60 votes in the senate, which will require some democrats, in order to get some of these huge things done. it will be very hard. gb do lot of his supporters will view this beach and perhaps be disappointed ? supporters will view this beach and perhaps be disappointed? —— do you think. he is showing the country and the liberal media that he can be

presidential. they will like this donald trump, hats as much as they like the flame throwing donald trump —— perhaps. like the flame throwing donald trump -- perhaps. that's the ultimate irony. people wanted a flamethrower and now they are saying, look at this donald trump, reasonable, calm, residential. he looked like he was enjoying himself for much of the speech. now i am looking for the parallels with where donald trump is now and where we were with the administration in 2001. george bush came into office and many questions his legitimacy. his first address to congress, people looked at him and said, he isn't so bad after all. i think donald trump will elicit the same reaction. how are your fellow journalists going to respond to this? they haven't been that soft on donald trump, let's be honest. we

are an enemy of the people. there was none of that tonight. no fake news, no electoral counts. nothing like that. it was the most on message i think i've ever seen donald trump for the longest, sustained amount of time. to that degree of course journalists will be like, wow, he was actually on message and sounded sane and it was very conciliatory. the speech was divided into sections. the first was very comprehensive. this is what i promised, this is what i will do. the second section was the legislation. it was easy to understand and well delivered stop white and he didn't go for prompt. it was there and he kept to it. donald trump did do it in the inauguration, he kept to the script. it was just a different sounding speech. you will make a lot of money

if you bet donald trump will go off script quickly. if nothing else it proves that this is what happens now that you get more folks in the white house staff, where more people are advising him and giving him counsel on how to deliver his message. a lot of our viewers around the world i think have become quite well versed in the personnel of the white house. it sounded to me like somebody in the white house had got to donald trump and he had listened to that person and it sounded like a different voice. not the voice we heard at the inauguration. different voice. not the voice we heard at the inaugurationm different voice. not the voice we heard at the inauguration. it makes you wonder who that voice is. is it the vice president when they have lunch together? is it the ohio governor? so mini voices coming out now. we were hoping to join someone at capitol hill, we will do that as soon as at capitol hill, we will do that as soon as the line is up. do you agree

quest —— agree? soon as the line is up. do you agree quest -- agree? the first opening paragraph of the speech, for a man who has made his career on being politically correct, the first thing he started off with was like history month. notjust that but attacks against dues and the killing against two indian engineers isn't going to work either. let's go to a democrat from pennsylvania. a different donald trump? a more presidential donald trump? a more presidential donald trump? a more presidential donald trump addressing congress and the nation tonight? what i was hoping for the night was a much more unifying speech, especially as speech that should be unifying... that's why i was hoping when he spoke about unifying the country that he did it with specifics. senator, i'm so sorry. some 400 miles from washington. at a diner with neighbours. democrats and

republicans, where we just watched the president's address. i'm proud democrat, but first and foremost on the proud republican and democrat and mostly remembered dogma —— un—american. i am worried about the future of this nation. i drop in kentucky, in a small town called dawson springs. my dad and grandad we re dawson springs. my dad and grandad were baptist preachers, my family owned a funeral home and my wife and i have been married for almost 50 years. i became governor at the start of the global recession and after eight years we had left things after eight years we had left things a lot that are then we found them. by a lot that are then we found them. by being fiscally responsible i even cut my own pay. we balanced our budget and curb deficits into surpluses without raising taxes. we cut our unemployment rate by half. we made huge gains in high school graduation rates and we found health cove rage graduation rates and we found health coverage for graduation rates and we found health

cove rage for over graduation rates and we found health coverage for over 500,000 people in kentucky. we did that through trust and mutual respect. i listened and i build partnerships with business leaders and with republicans in our legislature. we put people first and politics second. the america i love allowed a small—time preacher's kid to be elected governor and it taught me to embrace people who are different from me, not vilify them. the america i love has always been about looking forward, not backward. about working together to find solutions, regardless of party. instead of allowing our differences to divide us and hold us back, and we democrats are committed to creating the opportunity for every american to succeed, by growing our economy with good paying jobs, educating and training our people to fill those jobs, giving our business

is the freedom to innovate, keeping our country safe and providing healthcare that families can afford and rely on. mr president, as a candidate you promise to be a champion for families struggling to make ends meet and i hope you live up make ends meet and i hope you live up to that promise. but one of your very first executive orders makes it harder for those families to even afford a mortgage. then you started rolling back rules that provide oversight of the financial industry and safeguard us against another national economic meltdown. and you picked a cabinet of billionaires and wall street insiders, who want to this rate the that most americans count on and help level the playing field. —— of this ——. that is being wall street's champion, not our champion. even more troubling, you and your republican allies in

congress seem determined to rip affordable health insurance away from many americans who most need it. does the affordable care act need some repair? yes, it does. but so need some repair? yes, it does. but so far ever republican idea to replace it would reduce the number of americans covered, despite your promises to the contrary. mr president, folks here in kentucky expect you to keep your word, because this isn't a game, it is life and death for people. these ideas promise access to care, but denied the importance of making care affordable and effective. they would charge families more for fewer benefits and put the insurance companies back in control. behind these ideas is the belief that folks at the lower end of the economic ladderjust don't deserve healthcare. that it somehow their

fault that they're employer doesn't offer insurance, or that they can't afford to buy expensive health plans. just who are these 22 million americans, including 500,000 people right here in kentucky, who now have healthcare but didn't have it before. they're not aliens from some distant planet, they're our friends and neighbours. we sat in the breaches with them on friday night and be worshipped with them on sunday morning. they're farmers, re sta u ra nt sunday morning. they're farmers, restaurant workers, part—time teachers, nurses aides, construction workers and entrepreneurs working at high—tech start—ups. and before the affordable care act, they work up every morning and went to workjust hoping and training they wouldn't get sick. the cause they knew that they were just one bad diagnosis away from bankruptcy. you know, in

2010, this country made a commitment that every american deserved healthcare, they could afford and rely on, and we democrats are going to do everything in our power to keep president trump and the republican congress from reneging on that commitment. at we're going to need your help by speaking out. another commitment now being tested is our national security. look, make no mistake on on the military veteran myself and i know that protecting america is a president's high duty. yet president trump is ignoring serious threats to our national security from russia, who is not our friend, while alienating our allies, who have fought with us side—by—side and are our friends in a dangerous world. his approach makes us less safe and should worry

every freedom loving american. instead, president trump has all but declared war on refugees and immigrants. look, the president can and should enforce our immigration laws. but we can protect america without —— abandoning our principles and moral obligation to help those fleeing warand and moral obligation to help those fleeing war and terror. without tearing families apart and without needlessly jeopardising tearing families apart and without needlesslyjeopardising our military men and women fighting overseas. you know, another republican president, ronald reagan, once said that in america our origins matter even less thana america our origins matter even less than a destination and that is what democracy is all about. president trump also needs to understand that people may disagree with him from time to time, but that doesn't make them his enemies. when the president attacks the loyalty and credibility

of our intelligence agencies, the court system, the military, the free press, individualamericans, court system, the military, the free press, individual americans, simply because he doesn't like what they say, he is eroding our democracy. and that is reckless. real leaders don't spread derision and division. real leaders strengthen. the unifi, they partner and they offer real solutions instead of ultimatums and blame. i may be old—fashioned, but i still believe that dignity, compassion, honesty and accountability are basic american values. and as a democrat, i believe that if you work hard you deserve the opportunity to realise the american dream. regardless of whether you are in kentucky, a teacher in long island, or a software engineer in san antonio.

our political system is broken. it is broken because too many of our leaders think it is all about them. they need to remember that they work for us. in helping us —— and helping us for us. in helping us —— and helping us is their work. kentucky made real progress while i was governor because we were motivated by one thing — helping families. democrats are trying to bring that same focus back to washington, dc. americans are a diverse people and we may disagree on a lot of things. but we've always come together when we remember that we we've always come together when we rememberthat we are we've always come together when we remember that we are one nation, undergod, remember that we are one nation, under god, individually, with liberty and justice for all. thank you. that was the former governor of kentucky, giving the democratic response. at the capitol hill now. we can speak to a democrat from pennsylvania. is this is going to be the donald

trump the american public and the world sees, someone behaving in a much more presidentialfashion, that will be a problem for democrats?” am not sure what we will see. maybe there will be a change but i did not see it tonight. i was hoping he would focus on an economic agenda that was unifying. to make sure we would not have what the extreme republicans want which hurts people with disabilities, kids in rural areas and a lot of seniors. thank you very much alljoining us and for