Trump takes victory lap in speech to Congress, Democrats protest

Joseph Ax - Reuters - 05/03
Al Green was ordered removed from the chamber after he refused to sit down.
  • Trump's speech follows pause in U.S. military aid to Ukraine
  • Agenda includes extending tax cuts, tightening border security and deportations
  • New tariffs on Canada, Mexico spark trade war fears, hit markets
  • Trump's policies face legal challenges, Democratic opposition
  • Reuters Live coverage
WASHINGTON, March 4 (Reuters) - U.S. President Donald Trump took a victory lap in an address to Congress on Tuesday, drawing catcalls and interruptions from some Democratic lawmakers who held up signs and walked out mid-speech in protest.
The partisan rancor was reflective of the tumult that has accompanied Trump's first six weeks in office upending U.S. foreign policy, igniting a trade war with close allies and slashing the federal workforce.
The primetime speech, his first to Congress since taking office on January 20, capped a second day of market turmoil after he imposed sweeping new tariffs against Mexico, Canada and China.
"To my fellow citizens, America is back," Trump began to a standing ovation from fellow Republicans. "Our country is on the verge of a comeback the likes of which the world has never witnessed, and perhaps will never witness again."
Democrats held up signs with messages like "No King" and "This Is NOT Normal," and around 30 Democrats had walked out mid-speech less than an hour into Trump's remarks.
One Texas congressman, Al Green, was ordered removed after he refused to sit down.
"The chair now directs the sergeant at arms to restore order. Remove this gentleman from the chamber," Republican House Speaker Mike Johnson said after warning Democrats to maintain decorum.
Green, shaking his walking cane at Trump, appeared to be shouting that Trump did not win a mandate in November's election after the president bragged about the Republicans' victories. As he was led from the chamber, some Republicans sang, "Nah, nah, nah, nah, hey, hey, goodbye."
Trump, a political brawler by nature, appeared to revel in the disagreements.
"I look at the Democrats in front of me, and I realize there is absolutely nothing I can say to make them happy or to make them stand or ...
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