State of the Union

President Donald Trump gave his State of the Union address on February 24. Members of the U.S. Senate and the U.S. House of Representatives gathered at the Capitol, in Washington, D.C. Supreme Court justices, other lawmakers, and special guests also attended the event. The president spoke for 108 minutes, breaking the record for the longest presidential speech to Congress.

“Members of Congress, the state of our union is strong,” the president said. Trump went over the actions his administration has taken since he assumed office in January 2025. He spoke about his plans for the future. And he awarded major medals, including the Congressional Medal of Honor.

Trump noted that this is a special year in America’s history. The country is approaching its 250th anniversary. “From 1776 to today,” he said, “every generation of Americans has stepped forward to defend life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.”

The Democratic Party made the traditional rebuttal, or response, to the president’s address. That speech was delivered by Virginia’s governor, Abigail Spanberger. Speaking from Colonial Williamsburg, in her home state, she noted that “This year, as we celebrate 250 years since America declared our independence from tyranny, I can think of no better place to speak to you [from] as we reflect on the current state of our union.”