welcome to this bbc news special. i'm katty key in washington and in a few minutes president trump will deliver his second state of the union address to congress and the world. but it is the first time he's giving this speech with democrats in control of the house of representatives. indeed, speaker nancy pelosi will be sitting right behind him — quite literally looking over his shoulder. he is holding the address a week late because of the government shutdown. with us throughout the evening will be ron christie, former advisor to george w bush and stephanie schriock, the president of emily's list — a progressive organisation supporting female candidates. stepanek, i knewi stepanek, i knew i would get that wrong. we promise that. —— stephanie. what are you watching when there are more women in congress than they have ever been standing in front of president trump and a female speaker behind them, what are you watching for tonight?

he is surrounded. to put a fine line oi'i he is surrounded. to put a fine line on it we have stacey abrams doing the democratic response. there is melania trump. we will show you the slide pictures. to explain we will have live pictures from capitol hill as we wait for the president to arrive, yes. what we had in this la st arrive, yes. what we had in this last election was really a mande driven by women voters in this country looking for change. and we will see tonight a president who has come out, wounded from a long historic government shutdown, trying to figure out a path forward, and maybe we will hear him trying to be united tonight, but at the end of the day i think tomorrow he will be tweeting just as he always is, dividing this country. there are people you will recognise, mitt romney, the new senatorfrom utah, he ran against barack obama in 2012, there is vice president mike pence and the newsbeat of the house, nancy

pelosi, the most powerful woman in american politics at the moment. and the woman who went up against president trump gains that government shutdown and effectively caused the president to k. melania trump is there, they all have guests as well. —— to cave. the 100 senators are there. members of the cabinet are there. the supreme court will be there, head of the armed services, and the guests of the president and the various numbers of congress as well who are up the gallery watching this address. ron christie, you have been through many of these state of the union. what is the mood right now when the president's. the mood right now was one of excitement. there is nothing better than being in the white house and bidding the president could buy up and bidding the president could buy up to capitol hill and give that address. then the stuff sit around to watch the pomp, the pomp and these are the... one second. the president of the united states! applause. and here we have donald

trump walking in. a little quicker than we thought. there is usually more to—ing and fro—ing. he comes in down sil and then members of congress have been sitting for hours to keep their seats —— comes down missile. so they can be the ones to shake hands with the present. democrats on one side, republicans on the other. the president shakes hands with both. they are pleased to have this opportunity. he walks down, behind him you have the republicans from the house of representatives as well. 0ther members of congress as well, senior figures from the administration, then he comes up and takes the podium and gives the address. an exciting moment for the president. and he loves this. an exciting moment. the losses. this is the pomp and of the evening. the president, as you noted, he is shaking hands on

either side. it is so funny, because you look at the number of people who are there. they have staked out a spot, they want to be there, and still a loss of these numbers were being critical of the president are the ones who wanted to be there to greet in —— a loss. the ones who wanted to be there to greet in -- a loss. the optics are fascinating. it is the theatre of the state of the union honest as much as what the president says over the next hour that matters —— almost as much. and the strong visual image is when he takes the podium. nancy pelosi is sitting behind him, alongside vice president mike pence, mike pompeo, the secretary of state. he goes and greets members of the supreme court, brett kavanaugh, the man who was appointed by the donald trump and with such controversy was appointed to the supreme court. members of the armed services, who he is greeting at the moment. we only have acting secretary of defence at the moment. not a sitting secretary of defence. he walks around the president having said his

hollows. the tone of the speech, what are you looking for tonight? ideally be president will try to find a tone of stability and a tone of bipartisanship. so much of what we have seen out of the president's tweets today have been, let us say, less tha n tweets today have been, let us say, less than civil. if he can change the tone and atmosphere. a group of newly elected democrats, with nancy pelosi behind his left shoulder, let us see pelosi behind his left shoulder, let us see what he has to state of the country and his fellow lawmakers. he shakes hands with both of them, gives them a copy of his speech. everybody else who is walking in they take their seats. and then the president takes the podium and he will address the country for his second state of the union address. president donald trump giving his state of the union address to the country. applause.

we may have been a touch receptors. it looks like president trump enjoying the applause is getting from congress. they take their seats. here the president. thank you very much, madam speaker, mr vice president, members of congress, the

first lady of the united states. applause. and my fellow americans. we meet tonight at a moment of unlimited potential, as we begin a new congress ice dance you ready to work with you to achieve historic breakthroughs for all americans. millions of our fellow citizens are watching us now gathered in this great chamber, hoping that we will govern not as two parties, but as one nation. cheering.

applause. the agenda i will lay out this evening is not a republican agenda or a democrat agenda, it's the agenda of the american people. many of us have campaigned on the same core promises — to defend americanjobs same core promises — to defend american jobs and demand fair trade for a american workers, to rebuild and revitalise our nation's infrastructure, to reduce the price of healthcare and prescription drugs, to create an immigration system that is safe, lawful, modern, and secure, and to pursue a foreign policy that puts america's interests

first. there is a new opportunity in american politics, if only we have the courage together to seize it. applause. victory is not winning for our party, victory is winning for our country. applause. this year america are well recognised two importance anniversaries that show was the majesty of america's mission and the power of american pride. injune we

must only five years since the start of what general dwight d eisenhower called the great crusade, the allied liberation of europe in world war applause. 0n the d day, june six, —— 15,000 0n the d day, june six, ——15,000 young american men jump 0n the d day, june six, ——15,000 young american menjump from the 0n the d day, june six, ——15,000 young american men jump from the sky and 60,000 more storm in from the sea to save our civilisation from tyranny. here with us tonight are three of those incredible heroes. joseph riley, staff sergeant irving

locker, and this sergeant. applause. gentlemen, we salute you. in 2019, we also celebrate 50 years since a brave young pilots flew a quarter of 1 million miles through space to play the american flag on the face of the moon. half a century later we are joined of the moon. half a century later we arejoined by one of of the moon. half a century later we are joined by one of the apollo 11 astronauts who planted that flag, buzz aldrin. applause.

thank you. this year american astronauts will go back to space in american rockets. applause. in the 20th century, america saved freedom, transform signs, redefined the middle—class, and, when you get down to it, there's nothing, anywhere in the world, that can compete with america.

applause. now we must step boldly and bravely into the next chapter of this great american adventure. and we must create a new standard of living for the 21st century. an amazing quality of life for all of our citizens is within reach. we can make our communities safer, our families stronger, our culture richer, alfei for deeper, and our middle—class bigger and more prosperous than ever before —— our faith bigger and more prosperous than ever before —— ourfaith bigger. applause. but we must reject the politics of

revenge, resistance and retribution and embrace the boundless potential of cooperation, compromise and the common good. applause. together, we can break decades of political stalemate. we can bridge old divisions, heal old wounds, build new coalitions, forged new solutions and unlock the

extraordinary promise of america's future. the decision is ours to make. we must choose between greatness or gridlock, results or resistance, vision or vengeance, incredible progress or pointless destruction. tonight, iask incredible progress or pointless destruction. tonight, i ask you to choose greatness. 0ver over the last two years, my administration has moved with urgency and historic speed to confront problems neglected by leaders of both parties over many decades. injust over two leaders of both parties over many decades. in just over two years, since the election, we have launched

an unprecedented economic boom, a boom that has rarely been seen before. there has been nothing like it. we have created 5.3 million new jobs and importantly had a 600,000 new manufacturing jobs, something which almost everyone said was impossible to do but the fact is, we getting started. wages are rising at the fastest pace in decades and growing for blue—collar workers who are promised to fight. they are growing faster than anyone else thought possible. nearly 5 million americans have been

lifted off food stamps. applause. the us economy is growing almost twice as fast today as when i took office and we are considered farand took office and we are considered far and away the hottest economy anywhere in the world. not even close. unemployment has reached the lowest rate in over half a century. cheering and applause. african american, hispanic american

and asian—american unemployment have all reached their lowest levels ever recorded. cheering and applause. unemployment for all americans with disabilities has also reached an all—time low. more people are working now than at any time in the history of our country. 157 million people at work. applause. we passed

a massive tax cut for working families and doubled the child tax credit. applause. be virtually ended the estate tax or death tax as it is often called on small businesses for ranches and also for family farms. applause. we eliminated the very unpopular 0bamacare individual we eliminated the very unpopular 0bamaca re individual mandate penalty. who0ping and

0bamaca re individual mandate penalty. whooping and applause. and to give critically ill patients at set —— access to life—saving killers, we passed very importantly right to try. applause. my administration has cut more regulations in a short period of time than any other administration during its entire tenure. companies are coming back to our country in large numbers thanks to our historic reductions in taxes and regulations. applause. and we have unleashed a

revolution in american energy. united states is now the number one producer oil and natural gas anywhere in the world. cheering and applause. and now, for the first time in 65 years, we are in net exporter of energy. applause. after 24 exporter of energy. applause. after 2a months of rapid progress, our economy is the envy of the world. 0ur military is the most powerful on

earth by far and america... cheering and applause. america is again winning each and every day. applause. members of congress, the state of our union is strong. cheering and applause. crowd chant: usa! that sounds so good. 0ur

that sounds so good. our country is vibrant that our economy is thriving like never before. 0n vibrant that our economy is thriving like never before. on friday, it was announced that we added another 304,000 jobs last month alone. almost double the number expected. an economic miracle is taking place in the united states and the only thing that can stop it are foolish wars, politics or ridiculous part investigations. if there is going to

be peace in legislation, there can't be peace in legislation, there can't be warand be peace in legislation, there can't be war and investigation. itjust does not work that way. we must be united at home to defeat our adversarial as abroad. this new era of co—operation can start with finally confirming the more than 300 highly qualified nominees who are still stuck in the senate, it in some cases yea rs still stuck in the senate, it in some cases years and years waiting. the senate has failed to act on

these nominations which is unfair to these nominations which is unfair to the nominees and very unfair to our country. now is the time for bipartisan action. believe it or not, we have already proven that is possible in the last congress. both parties came together to pass an press event at legislation to confront the us —— the opioid crisis. a sweeping new farm bill, historic va reforms, and afterfour decades of rejection, we passed va accountability so we can finallyterminate those who mistreat our wonderful veterans. applause.

and just weeks ago, both parties united for groundbreaking criminaljustice reform. they said it couldn't be done. applause last year, i heard through friends the story of alicejohnson. i was deeply moved. in 1997, alice was sentenced to life in prison as a first—time non—violent drug offender. over the next two decades, she became a prison minister, inspiring others to

choose a better path. she had a big impact on that prison population — and far beyond. alice's story underscores the disparities and unfairness that can exist in criminal sentencing — and the need to remedy this injustice. she served almost 22 years and had expected to be in prison for the rest of her life. in june, i commuted alice's sentence. when i saw alice's beautiful family greet her at the prison gates, hugging and kissing and crying and laughing, i knew i did

the right thing — alice is here with us tonight. and she is a terrific woman, terrific. alice, please. applause. alice, thank you for reminding us that we always have the power to shape our own destiny. inspired by stories like alice's, my administration worked closely with members of both parties to sign

the first step act into law. this legislation reformed sentencing laws that have wrongly big deal, it's a big deal. this legislation reformed sentencing laws that have wrongly and disproportionately harmed the african—american community. the first step act gives non—violent offenders the chance to re—enter society as productive, law—abiding citizens. now, states across the country are following our lead. america is a nation that believes in redemption. we are also joined tonight by matthew charlesfrom tennessee. in 1996, at age 30, matthew was sentenced to 35 years

for selling drugs and related offenses. over the next two decades, he completed more than 30 bible studies, became a law clerk, and mentored fellow inmates. now, matthew is the very first person to be released from prison under the first step act. applause. matthew, please. thank

you, matthew. welcome home. applause. now, republicans and democrats must join forces again to confront an urgent national crisis. congress has ten days left to pass a bill that will fund our government, protect our homeland, and secure our southern border. now is the time for congress to show the world that america is committed to ending illegal immigration and putting the ruthless coyotes, cartels, drug dealers, and human traffickers out of business. applause. as we speak, large, organized caravans are on the march to the united states. we have just heard that mexican

cities, in order to remove the illegal immigrants from their communities, are getting trucks and buses to bring them up to our country in areas where there is little border protection. i have ordered another 3,750 troops to our southern border to prepare for the tremendous onslaught. this is a moral issue. the lawless state of our southern border is a threat to the safety, security and financial well—being of all americans. we have a moral duty to create an immigration system that protects the lives and jobs of our citizens. this includes our obligation to the millions of immigrants living here today, who followed the rules and respected our laws. legal immigrants enrich our nation and strengthen our society

in countless ways. applause. i want people to come into our country, but they have to come in legally. applause. tonight, i am asking you to defend our very dangerous southern border out of love and devotion to our fellow citizens and to our country. no issue better illustrates the divide between america's working

class and america's political class than illegal immigration. wealthy politicians and donors push for open borders while living their lives behind walls and gates and guards. meanwhile, working class americans are left to pay the price for mass illegal migration — reducedjobs, lowerwages, overburdened schools and hospitals, increased crime, and a depleted social safety net. tolerance for illegal immigration is not compassionate — it is cruel. applause. 1 in 3 women is sexually assaulted on the long journey north. smugglers use migrant children as human pawns to exploit our laws and gain access to our country. human traffickers and sex

traffickers take advantage of the wide open areas between our ports of entry to smuggle thousands of young girls and women into the united states and to sell them into prostitution and modern—day slavery. tens of thousands of innocent americans are killed by lethal drugs that cross our border and flood into our cities — including meth, heroin, cocaine and fentanyl. the savage gang, ms—13, now operates in at least 20 different american states, and they almost all come through our southern border. just yesterday, an ms—13 gang member was taken into custody for a fatal

shooting on a subway platform in new york city. we are removing these gang members by the thousands, but until we secure our border they're going to keep streaming back in. year after year, countless americans are murdered by criminal illegal aliens. i've gotten to know many wonderful angel moms, dads and families —no one should ever have to suffer the horrible heartache they have endured. here tonight is debra bissell. just three weeks ago, debra's parents, gerald and sharon, were burglarized and shot to death in their reno, nevada home by an illegal alien. they were in their 80s

and are survived by 4 children, 11 grandchildren, and 20 great—grandchildren. also here tonight are gerald and sharon's granddaughter, heather, and great—granddaughter madison. to debra, heather, madison, please stand. few can understand your pain. thank you and thank you for being here. thank you very much. applause. i will neverforget, and i will fight for the memory

of gerald and sharon, that it should never happen again. not one more american life should be lost because our nation failed to control its very dangerous border. in the last two years, our brave ice officers made 266,000 arrests of criminal aliens, including those charged or convicted of nearly 100,000 assaults, 30,000 sex crimes, and 4,000 killings. we are joined tonight by one of those law enforcement heroes: ice special agent elvin hernandez. when elvin was a boy, he and his family legally immigrated to the united states

from the dominican republic. at the age of eight, elvin told his dad he wanted to become a special agent. today, he leads investigations into the scourge of international sex trafficking. elvin says: "if i can make sure these young girls get theirjustice, i've done myjob." thanks to his work and that of his incredible colleagues,

more than 300 women and girls have been rescued from horror and more than 1,500 sadistic traffickers have been put behind bars. applause. special agent hernandez please stand. we will always support the brave men and women of law enforcement — and i pledge to you tonight that we will never abolish our heroes from ice. thank you. cheering and applause.

my administration has sent to congress a commonsense proposal to end the crisis on our southern border. it includes humanitarian assistance, more law enforcement, drug detection at our ports, closing loopholes that enable child smuggling, and plans for a new physical barrier, or wall, to secure the vast areas between our ports of entry. in the past, most of the people in this room voted for a wall, not be proper wall never got built. i will get it built. —— about the proper wall never got built. cheering and applause. this is a smart, strategic,

see—through steel barrier — notjust a simple concrete wall. it will be deployed in the areas identified by border agents as having the greatest need,and as these agents will tell you, where walls go up, illegal crossings go way down. san diego used to have the most illegal border crossings in the country. in response, a strong security wall was put in place. this powerful barrier almost completely ended illegal crossings. the border city of el paso, texas, used to have extremely high rates of violent crime — one of the highest in the country, and considered one of our nation's

most dangerous cities. now, with a powerful barrier in place, el paso is one of our safest cities. simply put, walls work and walls save lives. applause. so let's work together, compromise, and reach a deal that will truly

make america safe. as we work to defend our people's safety, we must also ensure our economic resurgence continues at a rapid pace. no one has benefited more from our thriving economy than women, who have filled 58 percent of the newjobs created in the last year. all americans can be proud that we have more women

in the workforce than ever before — and exactly one century after congress passed the constitutional amendment giving women the right to vote, we also have more women serving in congress than ever before. crowd chant: usa! usa! that's great.

very great. and congratulations, that's great. as part of our commitment to improving opportunity for women everywhere, this thursday we are launching the first ever government—wide initiative focused on economic empowerment for women in developing countries. to build on our incredible economic success, one priority is paramount — reversing decades of calamitous trade policies. we are now making it clear to china that after years of targeting our industries, and stealing our intellectual property, the theft of american jobs and wealth has come to an end. therefore, we recently imposed

tariffs on $250 billion dollars of chinese goods — and now our treasury is receiving billions of dollars. but i don't blame china for taking advantage of us — i blame our leaders and representatives for allowing this travesty to happen. i have great respect for president xi, and we are now working on a new trade deal with china. but it must include real, structural change to end unfair trade practices, reduce our chronic trade deficit, and protect americanjobs. another historic trade blunder

was the catastrophe known as nafta. i have met the men and women of michigan, ohio, pennsylvania, indiana, new hampshire, and many other states whose dreams were shattered by nafta. for years, politicians promised them they would negotiate for a better deal. but no one ever tried — until now. our new us —mexico—canada agreement — or usmca — will replace nafta and deliver for american workers: bringing back our manufacturing jobs, expanding american

agriculture, protecting intellectual property, and ensuring that more cars are proudly stamped with the four beautiful words: made in the usa. tonight, i am also asking you to pass the united states reciprocal trade act, so that if another country places an unfair tariff on an american product, we can charge them the exact same tariff on the same product that they sell to us.

both parties should be able to unite for a great rebuilding of america's crumbling infrastructure. i know that congress is eager to pass an infrastructure bill — and i am eager to work with you on legislation to deliver new and important infrastructure investment,including investments in the cutting edge industries of the future. this is not an option. this is a necessity.

the next major priority for me, and for all of us, should be to lower the cost of healthcare and prescription drugs — and to protect patients with pre—existing conditions. already, as a result of my administration's efforts, in 2018 drug prices experienced their single largest decline in 46 years. but we must do more. it is unacceptable that americans pay vastly more than people in other

countries for the exact same drugs, often made in the exact same place. this is wrong, unfair, and together we can stop it. i am asking congress to pass legislation that fially takes on the problem of global freeloading and delivers fairness and price transparency for american patients. we should also require drug companies, insurance companies,and hospitals to disclose real prices to foster competition and bring costs down. no force in history has done more

to advance the human condition than american freedom. in recent years we have made remarkable progress in the fight against hiv and aids. scientific breakthroughs have brought a once—distant dream within reach.

my budget will ask democrats and republicans to make the needed commitment to eliminate the hiv epidemic in the united states within ten years. together, we will defeat aids in america. tonight i am also asking you to join me in another fight that all americans can get behind: the fight against childhood cancer. joining melania in the gallery this

evening is a very brave ten—year—old girl, grace eline. hi, grace. every birthday since she was 4, grace asked her friends to donate to stjude children's research hospital. she did not know that one day she might be a patient herself. last year, grace was diagnosed with brain cancer. immediately, she began

radiation treatment. at the same time, she rallied her community and raised more than $40,000 for the fight against cancer. when grace completed treatment last fall, her doctors and nurses cheered with tears in their eyes as she hung

up a poster that read: "last day of chemo." applause. thank you very much. grace, you are an inspiration to us all. thank you very much. many childhood cancers have not seen new therapies in decades. my budget will ask congress for $500 million dollars over the next ten years to fund this critical life—saving research. to help support working parents, the time has come to pass school choice for america's children. applause. i am also proud to be the first

president to include in my budget a plan for nationwide paid family leave — so that every new parent has the chance to bond with their newborn child. yes! applause. there could be no greater contrast to the beautiful image of a mother holding her infant child than the chilling displays our nation saw in recent days. lawmakers in new york cheered with delight upon the passage of legislation that would allow a baby to be ripped from the mother's womb moments before birth. these are living, feeling,

beautiful babies who will never get the chance to share their love and dreams with the world. and then, we had the case of the governor of virginia where he stated he would execute a baby after birth. to defend the dignity of every person, i am asking congress to pass legislation to prohibit the late—term abortion of children who can feel pain in the mother's womb. cheering and applause. let us work together to build a culture that

cherishes innocent life. applause. and let us reaffirm a fundamental truth: all children — born and unborn — are made in the holy image of god. the final part of my agenda is to protect america's national security. over the last two years, we have begun to fully rebuild

the united states military — with $700 billion last year and $716 billion this year. we are also getting other nations to pay theirfair share. finally. applause. for years, the united states was being treated very unfairly by nato — but now we have secured a $100 billion increase in defence spending from nato allies. they said it couldn't be done.

applause. as part of our military build—up, the united states is developing a state—of—the—art missile defence system. under my administration, we will never apologize for advancing america's interests. for example, decades ago the united states entered into a treaty with russia in which we agreed to limit and reduce our missile capabilities. while we followed the agreement to the letter, russia repeatedly violated its terms. it has been going on for many years.

that is why i announced that the united states is officially withdrawing from the intermediate—range nuclear forces treaty, or inf treaty. perhaps we can negotiate a different agreement, adding china and others, or perhaps we can't — in which case, we will outspend and out—innovate all others by far. cheering and applause. as part of a bold new diplomacy, we continue our historic push for peace on the korean peninsula.

0ur hostages have come home, nuclear testing has stopped, and there has not been a missile launch in 15 months. if i had not been elected president of the united states, we would right now, in my opinion, be in a major war with north korea. applause. much work remains to be done, but my relationship with kim jong un is a good one. chairman kim and i will meet again on february 27 and 28 in vietnam. applause.

two weeks ago, the united states officially recognized the legitimate government of venezuela, and its new interim president, juan guaido. cheering and applause. we stand with the venezuelan people in their noble quest for freedom — and we condemn the brutality of the maduro regime, whose socialist policies have turned that nation from being the wealthiest in south america into a state of abject poverty and despair. applause. here, in the united states, we are alarmed by new calls to adopt socialism in our country. billing

america was founded on liberty and independence — not government coercion, domination and control. we are born free, and we will stay free. tonight, we renew our resolve that america will never be a socialist country. cheering and applause.. chanting: usa, usa, usa! one of the most complex set

of challenges we face is in the middle east. our approach is based on principled realism — not discredited theories that have failed for decades to yield progress. for this reason, my administration recognized the true capital of israel — and proudly opened the american embassy injerusalem. cheering and applause.. 0ur brave troops have now been fighting in the middle east for almost 19 years. in afghanistan and iraq,

nearly 7,000 american heroes have given their lives. more than 52,000 americans have been badly wounded. we have spent more than $7 trillion in the middle east. as a candidate for president, i pledged a new approach. great nations do not fight endless wars. applause. when i took office, isis controlled more than 20,000 square miles in iraq and syria. just two years ago.

today, we have liberated virtually all of that territory from the grip of these bloodthirsty killers. now, as we work with our allies to destroy the remnants of isis, it is time to give our brave warriors in syria a warm welcome home. i have also accelerated our negotiations to reach a political settlement in afghanistan. the opposing side is also very happy to be negotiating. 0ur troops have fought with unmatched valour — and thanks to their bravery, we are now able to pursue a political solution to this long

and bloody conflict. applause. in afghanistan, my administration is holding constructive talks with a number of afghan groups, including the taliban. as we make progress in these negotiations, we will be able to reduce our troop presence and focus on counter—terrorism. and we will indeed focus on

counterterrorism. we do not know whether we will achieve an agreement — but we do know that after two decades of war, the hour has come to at least try for peace. and the other side would like to do the same thing. it's time. applause. above all, friend and foe alike must never doubt this nation's power and will to defend our people. 18 years ago, terrorists attacked the uss cole — and last month american forces killed one of the leaders of the attack. applause. we are honoured to bejoined

tonight by tom wibberley, whose son, navy seaman craig wibberley, was one of the 17 sailors we tragically lost. tom, we vow to always remember the heroes of the uss cole. thank you. cheering and applause. my administration has acted decisively to confront the world's leading state sponsor of terror — the radical regime in iran. it is a radical regime.

they do bad, bad things. to ensure this corrupt dictatorship never acquires nuclear weapons, i withdrew the united states from the disastrous iran nuclear deal. and last fall, we put in place the toughest sanctions ever imposed on a country. we will not avert our eyes from a regime that chants ‘death to america' and threatens genocide against the jewish people. we must never ignore the vile

poison of anti—semitism, or those who spread its venomous creed. with one voice, we must confront this hatred anywhere and everywhere it occurs. just months ago, 11 jewish—americans were viciously murdered in an anti—semitic attack on the tree of life synagogue in pittsburgh. swat officer timothy matson raced into the gunfire and was shot seven times chasing down the killer. timothy has just had his 12th surgery — but he made the trip to be here with us tonight.

0fficer matson, we are forever grateful for your courage in the face of evil. tonight we are also joined by pittsburgh survivorjudah samet. he arrived at the synagogue as the massacre began. but not only did judah narrowly escape death last fall — more than 7 decades ago, he narrowly survived the nazi concentration camps. today isjudah‘s 81st birthday. crowd sing happy birthday. cheering and applause.

thank you! they wouldn't do that for me, judah. judah says he can still remember the exact moment, nearly 75 years ago, after ten months in a concentration camp, when he and his family were put on a train, and told they were going to another camp. suddenly the train screeched to a halt.

a soldier appeared. judah‘s family braced for the worst. then, his father cried out with joy: "it's the americans." a second holocaust survivor who is here tonight, joshua kaufman, was a prisoner at dachau concentration camp. he remembers watching through a hole in the wall of a cattle car as american soldiers rolled in with tanks. "to me,"joshua recalls, "the american soldiers were proof that god exists, and they came down from the sky." i began this evening by honouring

three soldiers who fought on d—day in the second world war. one of them was herman zeitchick. but there is more to herman's story. a year after he stormed the beaches of normandy, herman was one of those american soldiers who helped liberate dachau. he was one of the americans who helped rescuejoshua from that hell on earth. almost 75 years later, herman and joshua are both together in the gallery tonight — seated side—by—side, here in the home of american freedom. herman and joshua: your presence this evening honours and uplifts our entire nation.

when american soldiers set out beneath the dark skies over the english channel in the early hours of d—day, 1944, they were just young men of 18 and 19, hurtling on fragile landing craft toward the most momentous

battle in the history of war. they did not know if they would survive the hour. they did not know if they would grow old. but they knew that america had to prevail. their cause was this nation, and generations yet unborn. why did they do it? they did it for america — they did it for us. everything that has come since — our triumph over communism, our giant leaps of science and discovery, our unrivalled progress toward equality and justice — all of it is possible thanks to the blood and tears and courage and vision of the americans who came before.

think of this capitol — think of this very chamber, where lawmakers before you voted to end slavery, to build the railroads and the highways, to defeat fascism, to secure civil rights, to face down an evil empire. here tonight we have legislators from across this magnificent republic. you have come from the rocky shores of maine and the volcanic peaks of hawaii, from the snowy woods of wisconsin and the red deserts of arizona, from the green farms of kentucky and the golden beaches of california. together, we represent the most extraordinary nation in all of history.

what will we do with this moment? how will we be remembered? i ask the men and women of this congress: look at the opportunities before us! our most thrilling achievements are still ahead. our most exciting journeys still await. our biggest victories are still to come. we have not yet begun to dream. we must choose whether we are defined by our differences —

or whether we dare to transcend them. we must choose whether we squander our inheritance — or whether we proudly declare that we are americans: we do the incredible. we defy the impossible. we conquer the unknown. this is the time to re—ignite the american imagination. this is the time to search for the tallest summit, and set our sights on the brightest star. this is the time to rekindle the bonds of love and loyalty and memory that link us together as citizens, as neighbours, as patriots. this is ourfuture —ourfate — and our choice to make. i am asking you to choose greatness. no matter the trials we face, no matter the challenges to come,

we must go forward together. we must keep america first in our hearts. we must keep freedom alive in our souls. and we must always keep faith in america's destiny — that one nation, under god, must be the hope and the promise and the light and the glory among all the nations of the world! thank you. god bless you, god bless america, and good night! applause president trump wrapping up his second state of the union address.

it ran for about an hour and 20 minutes, just a few minutes longer than the one he gave last year. it was being listened to by members of congress, of course, in the room air itself, by members of the supreme court, supreme court justices, members of the military. you can see them there, senators, republican and democrat, supporting the president, and sitting behind him, vice president mike pence and nancy pelosi, and many veterans were paid tribute to during the course of this speech, as well. let's bring in our guests, ron christie and the president of emily's list. supporting female candidates. we didn't get a chance to speak much before the speech. and speaking of emily, can we just talk about... i know when you talk about the president's speech, but what an incredible moment to see the women

dressed in white sitting on the democrat side. for women's suffrage, let's just explain. democrat side. for women's suffrage, let'sjust explain. honouring women's suffrage, which we are closing on the 100th anniversary in a couple of years. 89 democrat women there tonight on the house side alone, and as the president was talking about, women taking over more and more jobs talking about, women taking over more and morejobs in talking about, women taking over more and more jobs in the workforce. they stood up and said these are the jobs wejust talk, they stood up and said these are the jobs we just talk, and i thought it was a wonderful moment. it talks about really where we are going forward , about really where we are going forward, because women voters and a lot of women of energy across this country, starting with the women's march to make years ago, in the united states and around the world, drove these energy. i think you are seeing it in very strong form tonight, wearing white. the president shaking hands with members, saying good evening, taking in some of the congratulations from members of his own party as he leaves the chamber, and the president congratulating those women

members of congress, giving them a moment and smiling along with them as they shouted chants of usa, one of the raia, i think, spontaneous lighter moments of the speech. of the raia, i think, spontaneous lighter moments of the speechlj think it was the only one, candidly, and it was a good—natured attempt by all sides to at least have a laugh at each other‘s expense. this is an interesting speech in that it was somewhat disjointed. it didn't flow, there wasn't a lyrical sense of what you would hope a state of the union looking at the last 365 days the president has been there, every tying things together very neatly. he played a lot to his base, i think he could have spent the time to congratulate nancy pelosi when he came to the stand, to congratulate her on taking the speaker's gavel, this is only taken place one other time in american history, and he missed an opportunity of really trying to talk the talk of ringing

the sides together, and he missed that opportunity of bipartisanship. and congressional protocol, normally the speaker of the house, this is considered the spea ker‘s the speaker of the house, this is considered the speaker's house, who introduces the president and gives the state of the union address, and he got right on it and there was quite a lot of social media saying he should definitely have given her that moment to introduce him.|j think her office has put out a statement saying that she was a little surprised by that. and not just protocol, and if you talk about moving forward, we are still in the middle of the negotiation, the government could be shutting down again injusta government could be shutting down again injust a few government could be shutting down again in just a few days because we still don't have an agreement. what i heard the night was very much what we see from president trump every day. a lot of material focused at mobilising and motivating his base, particularly as you saw with a lot

of border wall and southern border conversation through the middle of that speech. yes, on the domestic policy front there was the economy, there was a lot on immigration, there was a lot on immigration, there was a lot on immigration, there was quite a big chunk on abortion, there was healthcare, there was money for cancer, there was talk about sending people into space on american rockets again, there was quite a lot on domestic issues, but there was also, for a state of the union address, more perhaps than there often is on foreign policy as well. with me is our north america reporter anthony zurcher. the president has had some criticism over the last few days for being at odds with his intelligence community chiefs on threats facing the united states such as so—called islamic state, iran and north korea. he spent a lot of this speech, comparatively, talking about foreign

policy issues. he did, although he waited until the very end of his speech to get into it. he talked 17 minutes on immigration and ticked off some other subject before you to foreign policy. if there was a big announcement from the speech it was talking about the summit he is going to have in february in vietnam with kim jong—un. he also tried to justify his decision to withdraw american troops from syria and said he was in involved in ongoing negotiations to try and end the war in afghanistan. that was what he campaigned on by and large in 2016, and america first foreign policy that attempted to wind down some of these never ending wars, as he described them, and he has taken steps on that in the last couple of months and he was trying to justify it, because as he said he has taken criticism for it in the past. we will get to that north korea summit which will take place on 27 and 28 of this month in vietnam later on. i

wa nt to of this month in vietnam later on. i want to focus on what he said on isis, so—called islamic state, because that is where he had some of the biggest differences with his intelligence chiefs who were testifying in the senate last week. and he said tonight, now as we work with our allies destroy the remnants of isis, it's time to give our brave warriors in syria a warm welcome home. he didn't seem to put a timetable and when those warriors would come home, and different language. as we destroy the remnants of isis, from the very definitive language he had earlier in the year, we have defeated isis. right, in january he had essentially said it was over and the troops were coming home, there was word from the white house it would happen within 30 days. well, that began to be walked back pretty quickly after he said it, to the point where it was three months, and now in the state of the union address, as you mentioned, are much more open—ended definition of when the troops are going to come home, and the fact that it won't happen until isis is fully defeated. he made that announcement in a rose

garden recorded address saying that isis was effectively defeated before. so it was a change of tone, i think, to the fact that he got a lot of pushback notjust from political opponents but also from republicans who balked at the idea that the us would be pulling out of syria. and if you rememberjames mattis, the defence secretary, when he resigned in his resignation letter said they were real differences he had with the president, and everyone pointed to the syria policy as one of the key areas where he strongly disagreed with trump's proposals. thank you very much forjoining us. let's bring in ron and stephanie. those 17 minutes on immigration, to the extent that the president's challenge in the state of the union address, we will be kicking off those primary is and the 2020 election campaign will be fully under way, the challenge tonight is

to reach out to voters in the middle to reach out to voters in the middle to try and expand his support base as well is keeping his base on track. it seemed to me that he went with the base tonight, with those 17 minutes a pretty tough line on immigration. and i have to say, having helped prepare a state of the union address, this is an opportunity and the time to unify the country, to bring people together, when you are not republicans and democrats but americans. and candidly, this was red meat, 17 minutes of it, to his base, to the constituency that he thinks is going to compel him back to office —— propel him back to office. in my view you can talk about immigration in areas where you have consensus, but on the other hand, if you are only playing to your political strengths, this could actually backfire. there is an immigration deal to be done, clearly, at the moment. we are waiting for the democrats' response as part of the tradition, that democrat gives a response. this year it will be stacy abrams, she ran for the governorship of the state. why

have they chosen her? we have worked with her for have they chosen her? we have worked with herfor a long time. she was the first african—american woman to lead the democrats in the legislature, coming close in a race that had a lot of electoral problems. there were registration is not processed for voters, they were extremely long lines, there were a lot of concerns about what happened in the state of georgia, and many of us in the state of georgia, and many of us deal that she was robbed of that. she isjust us deal that she was robbed of that. she is just an extraordinary leader who has great vision and brings the democrats together, and i think we are going to get a really good things tonight. let's have a listen. good evening, my fellow americans, and happy lunar new year. i am stacey abrams, and i am happy to

join the conversation about the state of our union. growing up, my family went back and forth between lower middle class and working class. yet even when they came home weary and bone tired, my parents found a way to show us all who we could be. my librarian mother taught us could be. my librarian mother taught us to love learning. my father, a shipyard worker, put in overtime and extra shifts, and they made sure we volunteered to help others. later, they both became united methodist ministers, an expression of the faith that guides us. these were our family values, faith, service, education and responsibility. now, we only had one car, so sometimes my dad had to hitchhike and walk long stretches during the 30 mile trip home from the shipyard. 0ne rainy night, my mum got worried. we piled in the carand night, my mum got worried. we piled in the car and went out looking for him, and we eventually found my dad making his way along the road, soaked and shivering in his shirtsleeves. when he got in the car, my mum asked if he had left his

coat at work. he explained he had given it to a homeless man he had met on the highway. when we asked why he gave away his onlyjacket, my dad turned to us and said i knew when i left that man he would still be alone, and i could give him my coat because i knew you were coming for me. our power and strength as americans lives in our hard work, in our belief in more. my family understood firsthand that while success is not guaranteed, we live ina success is not guaranteed, we live in a nation where opportunity is possible. but we do not succeed alone. in these united states, when times are tough, we can persevere because our friends and neighbours will come for us. our first responders will come for us. it is this mantra, this uncommon grace of community, that has driven me to become anna turney, a small—business owner, a writer, and most recently

the democratic nominee for governor of georgia. my reason for running is a simple —— and attorney. i love our country, and its promise of opportunity for all. and i stand here tonight because i hold fast to my father's credo. together, we are coming for america, for a better america. just a few weeks ago, i joined volunteers to distribute meals to furloughed federal workers. they waited in line for a box of food and a sliver of hope, since they hadn't received paycheques in weeks. making the livelihoods of our federal workers are born for political gains is a disgrace. the shutdown was a stunt engineered by the president of the united states, one that defied every tenant of sadness and abandoned not just our people, our values ——. sadness and abandoned not just our people, ourvalues ——. for seven

years i lead the party in the house of representatives. i didn't always agree with the governor, but i understood our constituents didn't ca re understood our constituents didn't care about our political parties, they cared about their lives. so when we had to negotiate criminal justice reform or transportation or foster care improvements, the leaders of our state didn't shut down. we came together, and we kept our word. it should be no different in our nation's capital. we may come from different sides of the political aisle, but ourjoint commitment to the ideals of this nation cannot be negotiable. 0ur most urgent work is to realise americans' dreams of today and tomorrow, to carve a path to independence and prosperity that can la st independence and prosperity that can last a lifetime. children deserve an excellent education, from cradle to korea. we owe them safe schools and the highest standards, regardless of zip code. yet this white house responds timidly while first graders

practice active shooter drills, and the price of higher education grows ever steeper. from now on, our leaders must be willing to tackle gun safety measures and face the crippling effect of educational loans. to support educators, and invest what is necessary to unleash the power of america's greatest minds. in georgia and around the country, people are striving for a middle class where a salary truly equals economic security. but instead, families' hopes are being crushed by republican leadership that ignores real—life were just doesn't understand it. under the current administration, far too many hard—working americans are falling behind, leaving paycheque to pay cheque, most without labour unions to protect them from even worse harm. the republican tax bill rigged the system against working people. rather than bringing back jobs, plants are closing, layoffs are

looming, and wages struggled to keep pace with the actual cost of living. we are more to the millions of everyday folks who keep our economy running, like truck drivers forced to buy their own rigs, farmers caught ina to buy their own rigs, farmers caught in a trade war, small business owners in search of capital, and domestic workers serving without labour protection. women and men who could thrive if only they had the support and freedom to do so. we know bipartisanship could craft a 215t—century immigration plan, but this administration chooses to caged children and tear families apart. compassionate treatment at the border is not the same as open borders. president reagan understood this. president obama understood this. president obama understood this. americans understand this. and the democrats stand ready to effectively secure our ports and borders. but we must all embrace that from agriculture to healthcare

to entrepreneurship, america is made stronger by the presence of immigrants, not walls. to do so to dismantle the affordable carer as republican attorneys general have, our leaders must protect the progress we have made an commit to expanding healthcare and loa n commit to expanding healthcare and loan costs for everyone. my father has battled prostate cancer for years. to help battle to make cover the cost, i found myself sinking deeper into debt because while you can defer some debt, you can't defer cancer treatment. in this great nation, americans are skipping blood—pressure nation, americans are skipping blood— pressure pills, nation, americans are skipping blood—pressure pills, forced to choose between buying medicine or paying rent. maternal mortality rates show that mothers, especially black mothers, risk death to get earth, and in14 black mothers, risk death to get earth, and in 14 states, including my home state, where the majority wa nt my home state, where the majority want it, our leaders refused to expand medicaid, which could save

rural hospitals, said economies and save lives. we can do so much more, ta ke save lives. we can do so much more, take action on climate change, defend individual liberties with fair—minded judges. defend individual liberties with fair—mindedjudges. none defend individual liberties with fair—minded judges. none of these ambitions are possible without the bedrock guarantee of our right to vote. let's be clear, voter suppression is real. and making it harder to register and stay on the roles to moving and closing polling places to rejecting lawful ballots, we can no longer ignore these threats to democracy. while i acknowledge the results of the 2018 election here in georgia, i did not and we cannot accept efforts to undermine our right to vote. that is why i started a non—partisan organisation called care right, the advocate for voting rights. this is

the next fight for our democracy, one where eligible citizens can have a discussion about the vision we wa nt a discussion about the vision we want for our country. —— fair fight. we must reject the cynicism that is allowing every eligible vote to karsten counted as a power grab will stop americans understand that these are the values are brave men and women in uniform is then lives to defend. —— allowing every eligible vote to be counted is a power grab. in this time of division in crisis, we must come together and stand for and with one another. america has stumbled time and time again on its quest towardsjustice stumbled time and time again on its quest towards justice and equality, but with each generation, we have revisited a fundamental truths and where we falter, we make amends. we foughtjim crow where we falter, we make amends. we fought jim crow with the civil rights act and the voting rights at, yet we continue to confront racism

from past and in our present, which is why we must hold everyone from the highest offices to our own families accountable for racist words and deeds, and call racism what it is, wrong. america achieved a measure of reproductive justice in roe v wade that we must never forget it is immoral to allow politicians to harm women and families to advance a political agenda. we affirmed marriage equality, and yet the lg btq affirmed marriage equality, and yet the lgbtq community remains under attack. so, even as i am very disappointed by the president's approach to problems, they still do not want him to fail, we need him to tell the truth and to respect his duties in respect the extraordinary diversity that defines america. our progress has always been found in the refuge, in the basic instinct of the refuge, in the basic instinct of the american experiment, to do right

by people. and with a renewed commitment to social and economic justice, we will create a stronger america together, because america wins by fighting for our shared values against all enemies, foreign and domestic. that is who we are, and domestic. that is who we are, and when we do so, never wavering, the state of our union will always be strong. thank you and may god bless the united states of america. stacey abrams there, gave the democratic response. she was the woman of course who ran for the governorship of georgia, almost got it. let's go live at capitol hill, we canjoin it. let's go live at capitol hill, we can join the democratic congressmanjoaquin we can join the democratic congressman joaquin castro, a democrat from texas. did he reach

out to the other side? for the first 15 or 20 minutes, out to the other side? for the first 15 or20 minutes, he out to the other side? for the first 15 or 20 minutes, he did, out to the other side? for the first 15 or20 minutes, he did, but out to the other side? for the first 15 or 20 minutes, he did, but then he bought the divisiveness we have seen throughout his time in office and his presidency, which is trying to divide americans based on place of origin. and if his government on the way he has governed this country was action like the first 20 minutes of his speech that he would be doing a lot betterjob for the american people, unfortunately this president has been one of the most divisive president in american history. ok, joaquin castro, we have to live there because we are also, thank you for joining there because we are also, thank you forjoining us, there because we are also, thank you for 'oinin us we're there because we are also, thank you forjoining us, we're also going to go live now the seoul and joined the bbc‘s laura bickerjust before we end the programme. the news that was made tonight was the announcement that there is going to be a second north korean summit on the 22nd of the 28th of february, but the line thatis the 28th of february, but the line that is getting a lot of attention on the state of the union address is

the one where the president said that in his opinion, they would have been a major war going on if he was not president of the united states. i think it is worth clearing that one up. i think when it comes to certain interview him the peninsula is that when it comes to the brink that they were brought to, it was donald trump's by a few rhetoric that kind of raise the bar and brought everyone is dear to the thought that rockets might be flying over their heads. i think when it comes to where they are now old, they also praised donald trump's approach for bringing kim jong—un to the table, for talking to him, but if it comes to a second summit, which it looks as if it is going to happen in vietnam on the 27th 28th of february injust happen in vietnam on the 27th 28th of february in just a few weeks's time, defer summit was all about that historic handshake, very little of substance was made, vietnam has

to be about getting concrete actions. it has to be about nailing down a deal because very little happened after singapore. if he fails in the second attempt, certainly donald trump will be in for a lot of criticism. ok, laura bicker in seoul basis for us. —— there. before we in the programme, stephanie schriock and ron christie are still with me. your thoughts on that very long state of the union address. —— before we end. that very long state of the union address. —— before we endlj that very long state of the union address. -- before we end. iwould like to see a president that is trying to bring us together and i did not see that again tonight in what we saw in stacey abrams, democratic response, is a hopeful, joyful, forward—looking vision of the democrats and ijust think joyful, forward—looking vision of the democrats and i just think that is what the next, really the next two years are going to be about. you mentioned earlier the primaries and caucuses are about one year away and this is going to be very, very interesting and i think we are talking about the republican party

that has been backing a very divisive agenda. president trump, we estimate something like 20 million people tune into a state of the union address, president trump will not have as big a television audience as this into the 2020 presidential campaign is well under way, in fact voting will almost started with the iowa caucuses and the hampshire primaries. did you do what he needed to do tonight to expand his base to put himself in a better position to win the election? i don't think so. i think the first 20 minutes, he was very positive, he talked about his economy and his accomplishments, but really the greatest part of this speech today tonight was speaking to his base, his constituency, the people put him in office. there were 17 minutes and immigration stop the yes, and maybe have to spend a lot more time talking to the rather than talking to your political constituency. contrast that with stacey abrams, very sunny, very optimistic speech,

and she came across as being very personable and likeable and we wish we could have seen more that can president the night. do you that president the night. do you that president trump will be able, stephanie, to go back from this state of the union address and say to his supporters i have given you what you want, stay with me? he did not the border wall for them.|j think it depends on what happens with this vote. i wonder if he got either side. that is exactly right, i think is even going to start feeling some troubles in his bay city can't figure out what to do with the wall and speaker pelosi has made her position clear on this. —— in his base. it is on his shoulders already and it has not served him well. thank you both very much for joining me here in the studio for president trump's second state of the union address. that was special coverage of a speech that ran for one hour and 20 minutes, quite a lot one hour and 20 minutes, quite a lot on foreign policy that really a big pitch to the president's base as he

looks forward to the next two years and is beginning his re—election campaign. that is it for this coverage of the president's state of the union address. thank you for joining us. good morning. in the last few hours, we've got a weather front that's moving its way from west to east. it's bringing some rain, some of it quite heavy, but it will clear away from the south—east corner, perhaps leaving a legacy of cloud first thing in the morning and outbreaks of rain. behind it, quite breezy, with a scattering of showers into the north—west. so that kind of sums up wednesday's weather, really. we'll start off the morning cloudy, dull and damp with some outbreaks of rain across that essex and kent coast. sunnier spells online. a south—westerly breeze, so a mild source, but it will continue to drive in the risk of showers through northern ireland and western scotland as we go through the day, some of them pushing inland. 7—11 degrees the high. now, there's the potentialfor some of that rain to get up in the south—east a little later on in the day.

we'll need to keep an eye on that. that weather front riddles its way off into the near continent, but it's a bit of a mess wednesday night into thursday. it's joined by another weather front, which as it moves its way from west to east overnight, could bring in something a little bit cooler and the potential for some snow to higher ground as it moves its way through scotland. behind it, it's going to be a breezy affair on thursday with that westerly wind still driving in the showers along those exposed west—facing coasts. but again, it's still a relatively mild story, particularly in comparison to where we were a week ago, 5—10 degrees the overall high. now, as we move out of thursday into friday, it does look as though we'll see more of a significant area of low pressure starting to push in from the atlantic, and with that low plenty of isobars squeezing together, particularly on the southern flank, that is where we're likely to see the strongest of the winds, gale force gusts not out of the question. and some of the rain on friday will be quite heavy as that low pressure moves its way steadily north and east.

so, by the middle of the afternoon, there'll be outbreaks of rain, some of it heavy. the strongest of the winds perhaps into the afternoon, down towards the south—west, 50—60 mile an hour gusts not out of the question. and so, with the cloud, the wind and the rain, temperatures perhaps, possibly irrelevant, but nevertheless here they are, 9—12 degrees. still relatively mild across the country. now, as we move out of friday into the start of the weekend, that area of low pressure will push off into scandinavia. but we'll need to keep an eye on another potential developing low into the south, which may well bring more rain for the start of the weekend. again, the isobars stay tightly packed, it stays pretty windy with it. so, for the end of the week, it's going to be a mild story but a windy one, and we have the potential to see some gusts of winds 50—70 miles an hour, with further rain at times. take care. welcome to bbc news, broadcasting to viewers in north america and around the globe. my name is mike embley. our top stories: president trump appeals for unity in us politics in his state

of the union speech, but warns his opponents that challenging him could damage both the country and the economy. and economic miracle is taking place in the united states, and the only thing that can stop it are foolish wars, politics, or ridiculous partisan investigations. he called for a safe, modern and secure immigration system, and once again promised his border wall with mexico would be built. in the past, most of the people in this room voted for a wall.