On Politics

Wed Mar 5 2025

Rebecca Morin | Senior National News Reporter

@RebeccaMorin_

Howdy! It's Rebecca Morin, senior national news reporter at USA TODAY. One of Southern California's most famous couples, bald eagles Jackie and Shadow, welcomed two new hatchlings. I can't stop thinking about these cutie eaglets.

Trump lays out requests for Congress

Yes, President Donald Trump on Tuesday night in his address to Congress defended his sweeping presidential actions since the inauguration six weeks ago – from tariffs on trading partners like Mexico and Canada to cutting back diversity, equity and inclusion programs. But the second-term president also laid out a familiar domestic policy-focused agenda that he wants to see Republicans tackle on Capitol Hill. He demanded that Congress send him additional funding for border security "without delay" and urged lawmakers to pass his tax policies, which include no taxes on tips, overtime, or Social Security payments. Read more.

•	Watch: USA TODAY Washington Bureau Chief Susan Page takes a closer look at Trump's address to Congress.
•	Trump breaks Clinton's record for longest presidential address to Congress
•	When could a government shutdown occur? Deadline to pass funding bill looms this month

While Trump did lay out an agenda during his speech in the U.S. Capitol, at his heart, he is a showman. Trump's remarks were laced with viral moments, like the almost immediate interruption from Texas Democratic Rep. Al Green and when the president made 13-year-old brain cancer survivor Devarjaye "DJ" Daniel an honorary member of the Secret Service. See more top memorable moments.

•	Pink suits, protest signs and a MAGA hat: A look at the fashion choices at Trump's joint address to Congress
•	Some Black congressional lawmakers boycott or walk out of Trump's address in protest
•	Trump's approval ratings: Here's what polls say after Trump's speech

Vice President JD Vance and Speaker of the House Mike Johnson applaud as President Donald Trump speaks during an address to a joint session of Congress on Tuesday.

Win McNamee, POOL/AFP via Getty Images

A politics pit stop

•	Trump administration takes down list of 443 federal properties for sale after backlash
•	Who is Jocelyn Nungaray? Trump renames sanctuary after murdered child
•	Stocks open slightly higher despite tariff uncertainty and slower hiring
•	What Trump said about autism wasn't totally accurate. Here's why.
•	Supreme Court sides against veterans over disputes on disability claims
•	Where does tariff money go? A look at where the revenue lands

JD Vance's 'random country' comment riles Britain and France

Across the pond, the United States' vice president was dubbed "JD Dunce." Vice President JD Vance ruffled feathers after saying that an American economic deal in Ukraine was a "better security guarantee" for a potential peace deal with Russia "than 20,000 troops from some random country that hasn't fought a war in 30 or 40 years." Vance's comments came Monday night after Britain and France – two U.S. allies – pledged troops to a peacekeeping force in Ukraine. Read more.

•	What to watch for today: Vance on Wednesday is heading to the U.S.-Mexico border at Eagle Pass, Texas to highlight the Trump administration's crackdown on immigration. He's going to be joined by Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard.

Greenland Prime Minister Múte Bourup Egede says country not for sale

Greenland Prime Minister Múte Bourup Egede said his country is not for sale after President Trump said he would acquire the world's largest island "one way or the other" during his speech to Congress on Tuesday. "We do not want to be Americans, nor Danes, we are Kalaallit (Greenlanders) ," Egede wrote on Facebook. Read more.Got a burning question, or comment, for On Politics? You can submit them here or send me an email at rdmorin@usatoday.com .