The president took a loftier, more conciliatory approach in his address to Congress—despite offering few specifics, and sticking by many controversial claims and policies.
President Trump set out an ambitious agenda as he addressed a joint session of Congress on Tuesday evening, in a speech perhaps more notable for its tone than its substance.
“A new chapter of American greatness is now beginning,” Trump said at the outset of his speech. Later on, he declared: “The time for small thinking is over. The time for trivial fights is behind us.” The president went on to say: “From now on, America will be empowered by our aspirations, not burdened by our fears, inspired by the future, not bound by the failures of the past, and guided by our vision, not blinded by our doubts.”
It marked a striking change of tone from his campaign and his early days in office, from a president who has frequently feuded with critics, including members of his own party. The optimistic tone was equally a departure from Trump’s inaugural address, in which he painted a picture of a country in decline and memorably promised to end “American carnage.” On Tuesday, he acknowledged that “the challenges we face as a nation are great,” but he added “our people are even greater.”