美国东部时间2017年2月28日晚间9时，美国总统特朗普在美国国会的参众两院联席会议上，首次发表讲话，列举了他上任一个多月来兑现竞选承诺的进展，以及这一届政府的主要施政方向。以下为特朗普讲话的全文翻译：
众议院议长先生、副总统、国会议员们，第一夫人，全美的公民，今晚，我们在这里，也正值全美庆祝非裔历史月之际，我们铭记国家为争取民权所历经的道路和仍有待完成的工作。
最近针对犹太社区中心的威胁、对犹太公墓的破坏，以及上周在堪萨斯城的枪击，提醒着我们：虽然我们可能在政策上是一个分裂的国家，但是当要谴责各种形式的仇恨和邪恶时，我们是一个团结的国家。
美国的每个世代都传递着真理、自由和正义的火炬，这一过程至今从未断绝。那个火炬现在传递到我们的手中，我们将用它来照亮世界。
我今晚在这里，传递团结与力量的信息，这是我心中深信的理念。美国伟大的新篇章现在开始了。一股新的国家自豪感正在横扫全国，新的乐观情绪激增，把不可能的梦想牢牢地掌握在我们的手中。我们今天目睹的是美国精神的复兴。
我们的盟友会发现，美国又一次地准备成为领导力量。世界上所有的国家，朋友或敌人，会发现美国是强大的，美国是自豪的，美国是自由的。
九年后，美国将庆祝国家诞生250周年 ─自宣布独立以来的250年。它将是世界历史上伟大的里程碑之一。
但是，当250周年来临时，美国会是什么样子？我们将为我们的孩子留下一个怎样的国家？
我不会允许最近几十年来的错误决定我们未来的道路。长期以来，我们看到我们的中产阶级在收缩，因为我们向外国出口了工作和财富。我们资助、创建了一个接一个的全球项目，但忽视了我们自己孩子的面容。我们忽视了在芝加哥、巴尔的摩、底特律等地较为贫困的内城，还有我们国土上的许多其他地方。
我们保卫其他国家的边疆，却让我们自己的边境敞开着，随意让任何人、让毒品以前所未有的速度涌入。基础设施如此老旧。
2016年，地动山摇。这场巨变起初从一场安静的抗议开始，不同肤色、信仰的家庭发出了声音，这些家庭只是希望为他们的孩子争取公平的权利、为他们关切的议题争取被公平聆听的机会。
但这种安静的声音变成了一个合唱，当成千上万、在全美大小城市的民众开始齐声大喊时，这种合唱变成了一场地震。他们走出来投票，数百万的人，他们全都因为一个简单而关键的需求团结在一起：美国必须把自己的公民摆在一切考量的首位。
奄奄一息的产业将重现生机；英雄的退伍军人将得到他们急需的关怀。英勇的美军将士将得到他们应得的资源。
年久失修的基础设施，将被遍布大好河山的新路、新桥、新隧道、新机场和新铁路替代。美国像瘟疫一样蔓延的毒品问题将得到遏制并被彻底消灭；被忽略的贫困内城将在希望、安全与机遇中迎来新生。
最重要的是，我们会信守与美国人民的承诺。我已就任一月有余，此时此刻，我想向国人汇报这些承诺的兑现情况。
自我当选以来，福特、克莱斯勒、通用汽车、斯普林特、软银、洛克希德、英特尔、沃尔玛和许多其他公司，都已经宣布他们将在美国投资数十亿美元，并将在美国创造数以万计的新工作。
自11月8日的选举以来，美国股票市场已经增加了近3万亿美元的市值 ─这创了一个记录。我们通过降低价格——这简直太棒了，通过降低超赞的新F-35喷气式战斗机的价格，节省了纳税人的数亿美元。我们将从与政府各部门的合同里再节省数十亿。
我们对非军事和非必要的联邦公职冻结了招聘。我们要开始抽干政府腐败的沼泽，对离任的行政部门官员施以5年内禁止参与游说的禁令，他们也将终身被禁止成为外国政府的游说者。
现在，我们正在进行历史性的努力，将大规模地减少那些令工作机会锐减的监管法规；每个政府部门里，都会有特别工作组来执行去监管。我们现在要实施一个新政策，要求如果要增加一项新规定，必须同时减少两项旧规章。
我们将终止那些威胁着我们伟大的煤矿工人们未来与生计的法规。我们已经为建设Keystone输油管和达科他管道铺平了道路，从而创造了数万个就业机会。我发布了一个新的指令，新的美国管道必须用美国产的钢铁制造。
我们已经从扼杀工作机会的环太平洋伙伴贸易协议(TPP)中退出。在特鲁多总理的帮助下，我们已经与邻国加拿大成立了一个委员会，以帮助确保女性企业家有机会进入他们开展业务所需的网络、市场，获得资本，实现她们的财务梦想。
为了保护我们的公民，我已经要求司法部成立一个减少暴力罪行的专责小组。我还命令国土安全部和司法部、国务院和国家情报总监协调出一项有力的战略，以打击在美国各地蔓延的犯罪团伙。
我们要阻止毒品肆虐、毒害我们的青年人。我们要扩大帮助范围，救助那些已经严重上瘾的人。
同时，我们回应了关于强化移民执法和边境安全的诉求，终于要执行我们的移民境管法规；我们还要提高工资、帮助失业者、省下几十几十亿的美元、让我们的社区更安全。
我们希望，每一个美国人都能成功。但是在一个乱无法纪的环境里，这是不可能发生的。我们必须让我们的法律完善，边境安全。所以，我们会很快建造一座伟大的南部边界上的墙。
就在我们说话的此时，我们就在驱逐帮派、毒贩子、罪犯和每一个威胁我们的社区，伤害无辜人民的人。就像我竞选时保证过的一样，坏蛋都要离开！
对国会里，那些质疑我们应不应该推行这些法律的人，我要问你这个问题：有些美国家庭失去了工作、失去了收入、失去所爱，就因为美国不愿意实行她的法律，不愿意保护她的边界。对这些家庭，你有什么话说？我们必须服务、保护、守卫美国的公民。对恐怖组织我们也会采取强硬手段。
根据司法部提供的数据，自“911”恐袭以来，绝大多数在美国实施恐袭的人，都来自这个国家之外。
我们曾经在家看到波士顿、圣贝纳迪诺、五角大楼等地，到处都是恐袭，甚至还有世界贸易中心。还有法国、比利时、德国，全世界都是。
允许进入，而又不加以控制，这不是同情，而是鲁莽。
那些被允许进入美国的人，应该支撑这个国家，爱她的人民和价值观。我们不能允许一帮恐怖分子在我们国家内部组建团体。我们不能允许我们的国家，成为极端分子的避难所。这就是为什么，我的政府要致力于改进检查机制，很快，我们就会一步一步地保护我们的国家安全，不让伤害我们的人进入。
正如我保证过的一样，我下令国防部提出计划，摧毁ISIS组织——一帮目无法纪的野蛮人，残害穆斯林和基督徒，以及各种信仰的男女和儿童。
我们会和盟友合作，包括来自穆斯林世界的朋友们，一起让这些邪恶的敌人，从我们的星球上消失。
对那些支持伊朗弹道导弹计划的个人和实体，我也要加以制裁，并且重申美国和以色列牢不可破的合作关系。
最后，我遵守了我的承诺，在我名单上的20位守卫我们宪法的法官中，挑选出一名指定为最高法院大法官。
我很荣幸，他今晚也在现场与我们为伴。
谢谢你，莫琳。她伟大的已故丈夫─安东尼‧斯卡利亚，将永远是美国司法的象征。
我们选择了法官尼尔‧戈萨奇来填补他生前的职位。这是一个能力卓越、对法律心怀深沉之爱的人。联邦上诉法院全票通过了他的提名，我也正在督促参议院尽快通过提名。
今晚，当我陈述著作为一个国家，我们未来应采取哪些行动之时，首先，我们必须诚实地面对我们接手的现状：9400万美国人没有在工作、超过4300万人处于贫困之中，超过4300万人依靠食品救济度日。
超过五分之一的人，劳动能力丰沛却没有工作。我们财政处于65年来最糟糕的境况。过去8年里新增的政府债务，比历届政府累加起来还要多。
签订北美自由贸易协定以来，我们失去了制造业四分之一的工作岗位；从2001年中国加入世贸组织以来，我们关闭了6万家工厂。
去年，美国与世界其他国家的贸易赤字达到8000亿美元。我们要接手应对的是一场重大的、悲惨的外交政策灾难。
为了解决这些，以及其他许多迫在眉睫的问题，我们必须抛开两党间的分歧。这要求我们发扬美国精神，在漫长辉煌的美国历史上，它曾助我们克服所有艰难险阻。
但是为了实现国内外的目标，我们必须重新发动经济引擎。为企业在美国的运作提供便利，不让他们轻易撤离我们的国家。
目前，美国企业被征收的税率，位列世界最高水平之一。我的经济团队正在开展税务改革，减少公司税收，让我们的企业在任何地方，面对任何对手都可以赢得竞争并繁荣发展。
这会是大幅度的税收削减。同时，我们会为中产阶级大大减轻税收负担。我们会给美国企业和工人们提供一流的经营环境。
现下，当我们把货物运出美国时，其他国家会向我们收取极高昂的关税。可是当外国公司运输货物到美国时，我们却几乎不收取任何费用。我刚刚和一家大型本土公司哈雷的管理人员和工作人员见过面。实际上，他们自豪地在白宫草坪前向我们展示了5款摩托车，美国制造。他们想让我试骑一下，我说，不了，谢谢。
会面时，我问他们最近怎么样？生意如何？他们还不错。我又问他们和别的国家交道打得怎么样，主要是国际贸易上。他们没什么怨言地说─由于被不公平地对待太久了，导致他们都习惯了─他们说，生意很困难，因为其他国家设置的关税太高。他们举例说，某国给摩托车收的税是100%。他们没有提出抗议要求改变——但是我要。
我坚信自由贸易，但同时，也必须是公平贸易。公平贸易历史由来已久，第一位共和党籍的总统林肯，警告过我们“若美国政府抛弃保护性政策，会导致人民生活艰难、遭受打击”。林肯说的对，是时候听取他的建议了。
我不会再让美国、美国的公司和美国工人受他人利用。他们已经利用我们的国家很久了。到此为止了。我会把几百万个工作岗位带回美国。
保护我们的工人也意味着变革我们的移民法律体系。现有的过时系统使我们最贫穷的工人只能拿到很少的薪水，使纳税人承受了很大的压力。
世界上的其他国家，比如加拿大，澳大利亚和其他国家的移民系统都是基于移民的个人能力和品质。寻求进入我们国家的人，应该有独立的经济能力，这是我们应该坚守的基本原则。
但是在美国，我们却没有设置这样的规定，使我们最贫穷公民依凭的公共资源正在变得紧张。据美国国家科学院估计，我们现在的移民体系每年会消耗纳税人几十亿的资金。如果废除现有的不加区分的移民体系，采用基于移民个人能力的体系，我们会在多方面受益。
我们将会节省大笔资金，提高工资水平，并为挣扎中的家庭提供帮助，这些家庭包括那些中产阶级的移民家庭。他们会很快走出挣扎，他们当然会十分高兴。
我相信，真正的积极的移民政策改革是可以实现的，只要我们坚持以下目标：为美国人增加就业和提升工资水平、加强我们的国家安全、重塑对我们法律的尊重。
如果我们以美国公民的福祉为指导原则，我相信共和党和民主党可以共同努力，实现我们国家在过去的几十年都未能实现的成果。
另一位共和党籍的总统，德怀特‧艾森豪威尔发起了最后一项真正的全国基建项目，建设了跨州高速公路系统。发起新项目来进行国家重建的时候到了。
美国已经在中东花了大约6万亿美元，与此同时，我们国内的基础设施却破败不堪。6万亿足够我们将国家重建两次了，如果我们具备有谈判能力的人才，我们甚至可以用这笔资金将国家重建三次。为了重建我们的国家，我将要求国会同意一项扩大投资1万亿美元在基础建设上的法案，财源可同时来自公共资金和私营企业，这将带来数以百万计的新工作。
这一努力将由两项基本原则指引：买美国货，雇美国人。
今晚，我呼吁国会废除奥巴马医保，并推行替代方案，来扩大选择范围、增加参与途径、削减成本，同时提供更高质量的医疗保障。
强制每个美国人购买政府批准的医疗保险，这对我们国家来说从来不是正确的解决方案。
要实现对所有人的医疗保障，应该压低医疗保险的成本，这就是我们将要着手的工作。现在在全国范围内，“奥巴马医保”的保险金在成两倍、三倍地攀升。
举个例子，亚利桑那州仅在去年内就增长了116%的保费。肯塔基州州长马特‧贝文曾说“奥巴马医保”在他的州正在走向失败，“奥巴马医保”是不可持续的，这一体系正在崩溃。
三分之一的郡县只有一家保险公司，而这些保险公司也将离他们而去。这些公司马上就要离他们而去了，一旦它们离开，很多美国人就毫无选择了。还记得当初他们对你说，你的医疗将会一直得到保障吗？我们现在知道了，那些承诺都已经被打破了。
“奥巴马医保”正在崩溃，我们应该采取坚决的行动来保护所有美国人。行动不是选择之一，而是必需。所以我们呼吁国会的所有民主党和共和党人与我们合作，共同保护美国人不受即将爆发的“奥巴马医保”灾难的侵袭。
以下是当为全体美国人建设一个更完善的医疗体系时，国会应坚持的原则：
第一，我们应该保证美国人有途径获得资金，来治疗投保前就患有的疾病，应该保证现在参与医保市场交易的美国人可以实现平稳过渡；
第二，我们应该通过税收减免和扩大医疗储蓄账户的使用，帮助美国人支付自行承担的部分。但是这样的计划，必须是他们希望享有的，而不是政府强制施加于他们的；
第三，我们应该给予我们的州长们更多资源和灵活性，这样他们才能在推行医保时，保证不会有任何人会被遗漏；
第四，不必要的成本拉高了保险的价格，我们应该推行法律方面的改革来改变这一点，保护医生和病人。我们应该致力于拉低药品不正常的高价，立刻把药价降下来。
终于，是时候赋予美国人跨越各州的边界，去选择购买何种医保的权利了，这会创造一个真正自由竞争的全国性市场，从而大幅削减成本，医保的质量也会大幅提高。这一点十分重要。
我们国家的每处破裂都可以修补，每个问题都可以解决，每个受伤的家庭都可以痊愈并看到希望。我们的公民值得拥有这些以及其他更多的东西。所以，为什么不团结各方力量，把这工作完成并完成得很好呢？
在这一点以及其他许多方面，民主党和共和党都应该走到一起，为了国家的利益，为了美国人的利益而团结起来。
我的政府想要同时和两党的成员进行合作，以确保公众有途径、也负担得起儿童照护的福利；保证新生儿的父母可以有带薪休假来照顾孩子；推进对女性健康的投资；提升空气和用水质量；重加我们的军队和我们的基础设施。
要实现对人民的真爱，需要我们找到共识，需要我们推进公共福祉，需要我们为每一个值得拥有更美好未来的美国孩子进行合作。今晚，有一位杰出的女性与我们相伴，她将启发在场的每一个人。今天是罕见疾病日，与我们相伴的这位女性是战胜了罕见疾病的梅根‧克劳利。
梅根被诊断患有庞贝氏症，一种罕见的重疾，她当时只有15个月大。医生认为她活不过5岁。得知这一噩耗后，梅根的爸爸约翰，倾尽所有去拯救自己宝贝孩子的生命。他建立了一家公司来找寻治愈方案并协助研发了拯救梅根的药方。今天梅根已经20岁了，在圣母大学读大学二年级。
梅根的故事诠释了父爱的无限力量。但是联邦食品药品监管局缓慢、繁琐的批准程序，阻碍了很多处于需要中的人获得有效的治疗方案─像挽救了梅根那样的治疗方案。如果我们可以打破这些限制，不只是食品药品监管局的限制，还有其他所有政府部门的限制，更多像梅根一样的奇迹就会发生，我们将得到佑护。
实际上，我们的孩子们将会在一个充满奇迹的国家中成长。但是为了让这样的未来成为现实，我们需要启迪每个孩子的心智。教育在我们的时代是一个公民权利问题。
我呼吁两党成员通过为贫困儿童提供教育资助的法案，这些儿童包括几百万的非裔和拉丁裔孩子。这些家庭应该有能力在公共学校、私立学校、特许学校、“磁铁学校”（设置特殊课程的公立学校）、宗教学校和家庭教育中进行自由选择，这是他们的权利。
今晚旁听席上有一位杰出的女性与我们相伴，德利莎‧梅里威瑟。当她还是个小女孩的时候，她在学校很努力地读书，却连续两年在三年级留级。后来，她得以进入一家享受税收减免并设有奖学金项目的私立学习中心。今天，她成了家里第一个拿到毕业证书的孩子，不是高中毕业证书，是大学毕业证书。今年，她会被授予社会工作专业的硕士学位。我们希望所有的孩子都可以像德利莎一样，打破贫穷的桎梏。
但是，要打破贫困的循环，我们必须打破暴力的循环。2015年的凶杀案增长率是半个世纪以来最高的。
在芝加哥，仅去年就有4000人被枪杀，今年以来的凶杀案增长率比往年还要高。在美国社会，这是不能容忍的。
每个美国孩子应该成长在一个安全的环境之中，他们应该接受优良的教育，有途径找到高薪工作。但是要实现这样的未来，我们要与执法部门的男男女女一同工作，而不是与他们相对立。我们要架设起合作和信任的桥梁，而不是助长不团结——不团结的本质即是分裂，是纯粹的、彻底的分裂。我们必须团结起来。
警察都是我们共同体的成员。他们是朋友、邻居、爸爸妈妈、儿子女儿，他们每天离家之后，这些爱他们的人便终日担心他们是否能平安无恙地回来。我们必须支持这些执法部门的优秀男性和女性们。
我们必须支持那些犯罪事件的受害者。我已经指示国土安全部建立一所办公室，来为美国的犯罪事件受害人服务。这所办公室将被称为“VOICE”，全称为Victims of Immigration Crime Engagement(即移民犯罪受害者支持部门)。
我们会为那些被媒体忽略和被特殊利益团体消音的人发声。今晚与我们相伴的有4名勇敢的美国人，政府曾辜负了他们。他们的名字是杰米‧肖，苏珊‧奥利弗，珍娜‧奥利弗和杰西卡‧戴维斯。杰米17岁的儿子被黑帮组织的一名非法移民成员残忍杀害了，凶手刚刚被释放出狱。
小杰米‧肖是一名优秀的青年，潜力无限。他刚刚准备好去大学就读，他本可以在那里成为一名突出的四分卫。但是他永远失去了机会。他的父亲，今晚坐在观众席里，他已经成为了我很好的朋友。
杰米，谢谢你。谢谢你。
和我们一起的还有苏珊‧奥利弗和杰西卡‧戴维斯。她们的丈夫，副警长丹尼‧奥利弗和探员迈克尔‧戴维斯，在加州执行任务时被杀害。他们是这个国家的栋梁。这些勇敢的人被一个非法移民残忍地枪杀，该移民有犯罪记录，曾两次被驱逐出境。
这不应该发生在我们的国家。
和苏珊坐在一起的是她的女儿珍娜。珍娜，你要知道你父亲是一个英雄，今晚你拥有全美国的爱，支持你，为你祈祷。
我们将永远珍视他们的付出。
最后，为了保证美国的安全，我们必须给军队中的男性女性提供预防战争的工具。如果他们不得不去战斗，那么他们一定会胜利。我正向国会提交一份重建军队的预算案，要求美国史上最大的国防预算增幅。
我的预算中也会增加对退伍军人的资助。我们的退伍军人曾为国家效力，现在我们必须回报他们。
作为一个国家，美国面临的挑战巨大，但美国人民的力量更加强大。而且，没有人比那些为美国而战的士兵们更勇敢、更伟大了。今晚，我们很幸运地请到了美国海军海豹突击队成员瑞安·欧文斯（William Ryan Owens）的遗孀柯琳·欧文斯（Carryn Owens）。瑞安是一名战士，也是一位英雄，他与恐怖主义作斗争，为保卫国家而战，并至死不渝。
我刚才和国防部长马蒂斯将军交谈时，他向我证实说：“瑞安参与了一次非常成功的袭击，这次袭击让我们获得了大量的关键情报，并为我们未来战胜敌人铺平了道路。”瑞安的遗产已雕刻在永恒之中。谢谢。你们知道，瑞安此时正在天上看着我们。他现在应该非常高兴，因为我相信，他刚打破了纪录。
《圣经》教导我们，在出于爱的举动中，没有什么比为朋友献出生命更伟大了。瑞安为他的战友、他的国家和我们的自由，奉献了自己的生命，我们将永远铭记他。
我想对美国的盟友说，如果你们还在为美国将是一个怎样的盟友而感到困惑，那就看看这些穿着制服的英雄们吧。我们的外交政策，要让美国对世界事务的参与，直接、强健而富有意义。我们与全球盟友分享的，是一个基于重大安全利益的美国领导力。
事实上，我可以告诉你，我们正在投入很多的金钱。我们强烈地支持北约─这是一个经过两次世界大战和冷战所淬炼出来的同盟。但我们的盟友也必须面对他们的财政义务；现在，基于我们非常强劲和坦承的讨论，他们正开始这么做了。我们希望我们的伙伴，无论是北约、中东或太平洋国家，都可以在战略和军事行动中，承担直接且有意义的角色，并且付担公平的成本，必须得这样。我们会尊重历史形成的种种，但我们也会尊重所有国家的权利，他们也必须尊重我们作为一个国家的权利。
自由的国度是表达人民意愿的最佳场所，而美国尊重所有国家选择自己道路的权利。我的工作不是代表世界；我的工作是代表美利坚合众国。
但是我们知道，如果这个世界上少一些冲突，美国也会得益。我们必须从过去的错误中汲取教训，我们目睹过战争的爆发和它摧毁整个世界的可怕。解决这些人道主义灾难的唯一途径，就是让那些背井离乡的人们回到家乡，并开始重建家乡的长期过程。
美国愿意寻找新的朋友，锻造新的合作关系，结成利益同盟。我们想要和谐与稳定，而不是战争与冲突。我们要在一切能得到和平的地方追求和平。
我们曾经和有些国家交恶，但它们现在是我们的朋友。我们有些最亲密的战友，数十年前在那些可怕的战争中曾与我们交战。这一历史理应给我们信心，打造一个更好的世界的信心。
但愿在我们建国250周年时（2026年）能看到一个更和平、更公正和更自由的世界。
在美国建国100周年纪念时，那是1876年，我们的公民从全国各地赶来费城，庆祝美国的这一时刻。在那场庆祝仪式上，这个国家的建造者、艺术家和各种发明家展现了他们的各式创意。亚历山大‧格拉汉姆‧贝尔第一次展示了他发明的电话。雷明顿揭幕了第一台打字机。电灯第一次被尝试使用。托马斯‧爱迪生使用了电报和电笔。想象一下等到美国建国250周年时我们能看到的东西吧。
想一想，如果我们能让人们自由梦想后所能达到的成就吧。能治愈人群中瘟疫的，是让他们各得其所。我们可以让数百万人不再依靠福利过活，而是可以给他们找到工作；我们可以让街道变得安全，妈妈们走在上面不再恐惧；我们会让孩子们在平静的校园学习；我们可以满足美国人的期待，制造那些可以让美国繁荣与成长的岗位。
当我们得到了这些，我们就令美国变得比以前更伟大，对所有的美国人来说都是如此。这是我们的任务。但我们必须一起抵达这个目标。我们是一个团体，有着共同的命运。我们留着同样的血。我们向同一面伟大的旗帜敬礼，而且我们都被同一个上帝制造出来。
当我们实现了这一前景——当我们在庆祝建国250周年的闪耀历史时─我们会回望今晚，开启美利坚新篇章的时刻。格局不大的时代该终结了。小打小闹的时期结束了。我们只需要能分享我们心中梦想的勇气，以及实现这些梦想与希望的信心。
从现在开始，美国将由我们的志向推动，而不是被恐惧压倒；由我们的未来激励，而不是被束缚在过去的失败中；由我们的前景引导，而不是被疑虑遮蔽。
我请求所有的公民都拥抱这项美国精神。我请求所有的国会议员和我一起，为我们的国家梦想那些伟大与勇敢的事情。我请求今晚所有的观众的抓住这一刻，相信你自己，相信你们的未来，并且再一次相信这个国家。
谢谢你们，愿上帝保佑你们，愿上帝保佑美利坚合众国。
英文稿：
TO THE CONGRESS OF THE UNITED STATES:
Mr. Speaker, Mr. Vice President, Members of Congress, the First Lady of the United States, and Citizens of America:
Tonight, as we mark the conclusion of our celebration of Black History Month, we are reminded of our Nation's path toward civil rights and the work that still remains. Recent threats targeting Jewish Community Centers and vandalism of Jewish cemeteries, as well as last week's shooting in Kansas City, remind us that while we may be a Nation divided on policies, we are a country that stands united in condemning hate and evil in all its forms.
Each American generation passes the torch of truth, liberty and justice –- in an unbroken chain all the way down to the present.
That torch is now in our hands. And we will use it to light up the world. I am here tonight to deliver a message of unity and strength, and it is a message deeply delivered from my heart.
A new chapter of American Greatness is now beginning.
A new national pride is sweeping across our Nation.
And a new surge of optimism is placing impossible dreams firmly within our grasp.
What we are witnessing today is the Renewal of the American Spirit.
Our allies will find that America is once again ready to lead.
All the nations of the world -- friend or foe -- will find that America is strong, America is proud, and America is free.
In 9 years, the United States will celebrate the 250th anniversary of our founding -- 250 years since the day we declared our Independence.
It will be one of the great milestones in the history of the world.
But what will America look like as we reach our 250th year? What kind of country will we leave for our children?
I will not allow the mistakes of recent decades past to define the course of our future.
For too long, we've watched our middle class shrink as we've exported our jobs and wealth to foreign countries.
We've financed and built one global project after another, but ignored the fates of our children in the inner cities of Chicago, Baltimore, Detroit -- and so many other places throughout our land.
We've defended the borders of other nations, while leaving our own borders wide open, for anyone to cross -- and for drugs to pour in at a now unprecedented rate.
And we've spent trillions of dollars overseas, while our infrastructure at home has so badly crumbled.
Then, in 2016, the earth shifted beneath our feet. The rebellion started as a quiet protest, spoken by families of all colors and creeds -– families who just wanted a fair shot for their children, and a fair hearing for their concerns.
But then the quiet voices became a loud chorus -- as thousands of citizens now spoke out together, from cities small and large, all across our country.
Finally, the chorus became an earthquake – and the people turned out by the tens of millions, and they were all united by one very simple, but crucial demand, that America must put its own citizens first ... because only then, can we truly MAKE AMERICA GREAT AGAIN.
Dying industries will come roaring back to life. Heroic veterans will get the care they so desperately need.
Our military will be given the resources its brave warriors so richly deserve.
Crumbling infrastructure will be replaced with new roads, bridges, tunnels, airports and railways gleaming across our beautiful land.
Our terrible drug epidemic will slow down and ultimately, stop.
And our neglected inner cities will see a rebirth of hope, safety, and opportunity.
Above all else, we will keep our promises to the American people.
It's been a little over a month since my inauguration, and I want to take this moment to update the Nation on the progress I've made in keeping those promises.
Since my election, Ford, Fiat-Chrysler, General Motors, Sprint, Softbank, Lockheed, Intel, Walmart, and many others, have announced that they will invest billions of dollars in the United States and will create tens of thousands of new American jobs.
The stock market has gained almost three trillion dollars in value since the election on November 8th, a record. We've saved taxpayers hundreds of millions of dollars by bringing down the price of the fantastic new F-35 jet fighter, and will be saving billions more dollars on contracts all across our Government. We have placed a hiring freeze on non-military and non-essential Federal workers.
We have begun to drain the swamp of government corruption by imposing a 5 year ban on lobbying by executive branch officials –- and a lifetime ban on becoming lobbyists for a foreign government.
We have undertaken a historic effort to massively reduce job‑crushing regulations, creating a deregulation task force inside of every Government agency; imposing a new rule which mandates that for every 1 new regulation, 2 old regulations must be eliminated; and stopping a regulation that threatens the future and livelihoods of our great coal miners.
We have cleared the way for the construction of the Keystone and Dakota Access Pipelines -- thereby creating tens of thousands of jobs -- and I've issued a new directive that new American pipelines be made with American steel.
We have withdrawn the United States from the job-killing Trans-Pacific Partnership.
With the help of Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, we have formed a Council with our neighbors in Canada to help ensure that women entrepreneurs have access to the networks, markets and capital they need to start a business and live out their financial dreams.
To protect our citizens, I have directed the Department of Justice to form a Task Force on Reducing Violent Crime.
I have further ordered the Departments of Homeland Security and Justice, along with the Department of State and the Director of National Intelligence, to coordinate an aggressive strategy to dismantle the criminal cartels that have spread across our Nation.
We will stop the drugs from pouring into our country and poisoning our youth -- and we will expand treatment for those who have become so badly addicted.
At the same time, my Administration has answered the pleas of the American people for immigration enforcement and border security. By finally enforcing our immigration laws, we will raise wages, help the unemployed, save billions of dollars, and make our communities safer for everyone. We want all Americans to succeed –- but that can't happen in an environment of lawless chaos. We must restore integrity and the rule of law to our borders.
For that reason, we will soon begin the construction of a great wall along our southern border. It will be started ahead of schedule and, when finished, it will be a very effective weapon against drugs and crime.
As we speak, we are removing gang members, drug dealers and criminals that threaten our communities and prey on our citizens. Bad ones are going out as I speak tonight and as I have promised.
To any in Congress who do not believe we should enforce our laws, I would ask you this question: what would you say to the American family that loses their jobs, their income, or a loved one, because America refused to uphold its laws and defend its borders?
Our obligation is to serve, protect, and defend the citizens of the United States. We are also taking strong measures to protect our Nation from Radical Islamic Terrorism.
According to data provided by the Department of Justice, the vast majority of individuals convicted for terrorism-related offenses since 9/11 came here from outside of our country. We have seen the attacks at home -– from Boston to San Bernardino to the Pentagon and yes, even the World Trade Center.
We have seen the attacks in France, in Belgium, in Germany and all over the world.
It is not compassionate, but reckless, to allow uncontrolled entry from places where proper vetting cannot occur. Those given the high honor of admission to the United States should support this country and love its people and its values.
We cannot allow a beachhead of terrorism to form inside America -- we cannot allow our Nation to become a sanctuary for extremists.
That is why my Administration has been working on improved vetting procedures, and we will shortly take new steps to keep our Nation safe -- and to keep out those who would do us harm.
As promised, I directed the Department of Defense to develop a plan to demolish and destroy ISIS -- a network of lawless savages that have slaughtered Muslims and Christians, and men, women, and children of all faiths and beliefs. We will work with our allies, including our friends and allies in the Muslim world, to extinguish this vile enemy from our planet.
I have also imposed new sanctions on entities and individuals who support Iran's ballistic missile program, and reaffirmed our unbreakable alliance with the State of Israel.
Finally, I have kept my promise to appoint a Justice to the United States Supreme Court -- from my list of 20 judges -- who will defend our Constitution. I am honored to have Maureen Scalia with us in the gallery tonight. Her late, great husband, Antonin Scalia, will forever be a symbol of American justice. To fill his seat, we have chosen Judge Neil Gorsuch, a man of incredible skill, and deep devotion to the law. He was confirmed unanimously to the Court of Appeals, and I am asking the Senate to swiftly approve his nomination.
Tonight, as I outline the next steps we must take as a country, we must honestly acknowledge the circumstances we inherited.
Ninety-four million Americans are out of the labor force.
Over 43 million people are now living in poverty, and over 43 million Americans are on food stamps.
More than 1 in 5 people in their prime working years are not working.
We have the worst financial recovery in 65 years.
In the last 8 years, the past Administration has put on more new debt than nearly all other Presidents combined.
We've lost more than one-fourth of our manufacturing jobs since NAFTA was approved, and we've lost 60,000 factories since China joined the World Trade Organization in 2001.
Our trade deficit in goods with the world last year was nearly $800 billion dollars.
And overseas, we have inherited a series of tragic foreign policy disasters.
Solving these, and so many other pressing problems, will require us to work past the differences of party. It will require us to tap into the American spirit that has overcome every challenge throughout our long and storied history.
But to accomplish our goals at home and abroad, we must restart the engine of the American economy -- making it easier for companies to do business in the United States, and much harder for companies to leave.
Right now, American companies are taxed at one of the highest rates anywhere in the world.
My economic team is developing historic tax reform that will reduce the tax rate on our companies so they can compete and thrive anywhere and with anyone. At the same time, we will provide massive tax relief for the middle class.
We must create a level playing field for American companies and workers.
Currently, when we ship products out of America, many other countries make us pay very high tariffs and taxes -- but when foreign companies ship their products into America, we charge them almost nothing.
I just met with officials and workers from a great American company, Harley-Davidson. In fact, they proudly displayed five of their magnificent motorcycles, made in the USA, on the front lawn of the White House.
At our meeting, I asked them, how are you doing, how is business? They said that it's good. I asked them further how they are doing with other countries, mainly international sales. They told me -- without even complaining because they have been mistreated for so long that they have become used to it -- that it is very hard to do business with other countries because they tax our goods at such a high rate. They said that in one case another country taxed their motorcycles at 100 percent.
They weren't even asking for change. But I am.
I believe strongly in free trade but it also has to be FAIR TRADE.
The first Republican President, Abraham Lincoln, warned that the "abandonment of the protective policy by the American Government [will] produce want and ruin among our people."
Lincoln was right -- and it is time we heeded his words. I am not going to let America and its great companies and workers, be taken advantage of anymore.
I am going to bring back millions of jobs. Protecting our workers also means reforming our system of legal immigration. The current, outdated system depresses wages for our poorest workers, and puts great pressure on taxpayers.
Nations around the world, like Canada, Australia and many others –- have a merit-based immigration system. It is a basic principle that those seeking to enter a country ought to be able to support themselves financially. Yet, in America, we do not enforce this rule, straining the very public resources that our poorest citizens rely upon. According to the National Academy of Sciences, our current immigration system costs America's taxpayers many billions of dollars a year.
Switching away from this current system of lower-skilled immigration, and instead adopting a merit-based system, will have many benefits: it will save countless dollars, raise workers' wages, and help struggling families –- including immigrant families –- enter the middle class.
I believe that real and positive immigration reform is possible, as long as we focus on the following goals: to improve jobs and wages for Americans, to strengthen our nation’s security, and to restore respect for our laws.
If we are guided by the well-being of American citizens then I believe Republicans and Democrats can work together to achieve an outcome that has eluded our country for decades.
Another Republican President, Dwight D. Eisenhower, initiated the last truly great national infrastructure program –- the building of the interstate highway system. The time has come for a new program of national rebuilding.
America has spent approximately six trillion dollars in the Middle East, all this while our infrastructure at home is crumbling. With this six trillion dollars we could have rebuilt our country –- twice. And maybe even three times if we had people who had the ability to negotiate.
To launch our national rebuilding, I will be asking the Congress to approve legislation that produces a $1 trillion investment in the infrastructure of the United States -- financed through both public and private capital –- creating millions of new jobs.
This effort will be guided by two core principles: Buy American, and Hire American.
Tonight, I am also calling on this Congress to repeal and replace Obamacare with reforms that expand choice, increase access, lower costs, and at the same time, provide better Healthcare.
Mandating every American to buy government-approved health insurance was never the right solution for America. The way to make health insurance available to everyone is to lower the cost of health insurance, and that is what we will do.
Obamacare premiums nationwide have increased by double and triple digits. As an example, Arizona went up 116 percent last year alone. Governor Matt Bevin of Kentucky just said Obamacare is failing in his State -- it is unsustainable and collapsing.
One third of counties have only one insurer on the exchanges –- leaving many Americans with no choice at all.
Remember when you were told that you could keep your doctor, and keep your plan?
We now know that all of those promises have been broken.
Obamacare is collapsing –- and we must act decisively to protect all Americans. Action is not a choice –- it is a necessity.
So I am calling on all Democrats and Republicans in the Congress to work with us to save Americans from this imploding Obamacare disaster.
Here are the principles that should guide the Congress as we move to create a better healthcare system for all Americans:
First, we should ensure that Americans with pre-existing conditions have access to coverage, and that we have a stable transition for Americans currently enrolled in the healthcare exchanges.
Secondly, we should help Americans purchase their own coverage, through the use of tax credits and expanded Health Savings Accounts –- but it must be the plan they want, not the plan forced on them by the Government.
Thirdly, we should give our great State Governors the resources and flexibility they need with Medicaid to make sure no one is left out.
Fourthly, we should implement legal reforms that protect patients and doctors from unnecessary costs that drive up the price of insurance – and work to bring down the artificially high price of drugs and bring them down immediately.
Finally, the time has come to give Americans the freedom to purchase health insurance across State lines –- creating a truly competitive national marketplace that will bring cost way down and provide far better care.
Everything that is broken in our country can be fixed. Every problem can be solved. And every hurting family can find healing, and hope.
Our citizens deserve this, and so much more –- so why not join forces to finally get it done? On this and so many other things, Democrats and Republicans should get together and unite for the good of our country, and for the good of the American people.
My administration wants to work with members in both parties to make childcare accessible and affordable, to help ensure new parents have paid family leave, to invest in women's health, and to promote clean air and clear water, and to rebuild our military and our infrastructure.
True love for our people requires us to find common ground, to advance the common good, and to cooperate on behalf of every American child who deserves a brighter future.
An incredible young woman is with us this evening who should serve as an inspiration to us all.
Today is Rare Disease day, and joining us in the gallery is a Rare Disease Survivor, Megan Crowley. Megan was diagnosed with Pompe Disease, a rare and serious illness, when she was 15 months old. She was not expected to live past 5.
On receiving this news, Megan's dad, John, fought with everything he had to save the life of his precious child. He founded a company to look for a cure, and helped develop the drug that saved Megan's life. Today she is 20 years old -- and a sophomore at Notre Dame.
Megan's story is about the unbounded power of a father's love for a daughter.
But our slow and burdensome approval process at the Food and Drug Administration keeps too many advances, like the one that saved Megan's life, from reaching those in need.
If we slash the restraints, not just at the FDA but across our Government, then we will be blessed with far more miracles like Megan.
In fact, our children will grow up in a Nation of miracles.
But to achieve this future, we must enrich the mind –- and the souls –- of every American child.
Education is the civil rights issue of our time.
I am calling upon Members of both parties to pass an education bill that funds school choice for disadvantaged youth, including millions of African-American and Latino children. These families should be free to choose the public, private, charter, magnet, religious or home school that is right for them.
Joining us tonight in the gallery is a remarkable woman, Denisha Merriweather. As a young girl, Denisha struggled in school and failed third grade twice. But then she was able to enroll in a private center for learning, with the help of a tax credit scholarship program. Today, she is the first in her family to graduate, not just from high school, but from college. Later this year she will get her masters degree in social work.
We want all children to be able to break the cycle of poverty just like Denisha.
But to break the cycle of poverty, we must also break the cycle of violence.
The murder rate in 2015 experienced its largest single-year increase in nearly half a century.
In Chicago, more than 4,000 people were shot last year alone –- and the murder rate so far this year has been even higher.
This is not acceptable in our society.
Every American child should be able to grow up in a safe community, to attend a great school, and to have access to a high-paying job.
But to create this future, we must work with –- not against -– the men and women of law enforcement.
We must build bridges of cooperation and trust –- not drive the wedge of disunity and division.
Police and sheriffs are members of our community. They are friends and neighbors, they are mothers and fathers, sons and daughters – and they leave behind loved ones every day who worry whether or not they'll come home safe and sound.
We must support the incredible men and women of law enforcement.
And we must support the victims of crime.
I have ordered the Department of Homeland Security to create an office to serve American Victims. The office is called VOICE –- Victims Of Immigration Crime Engagement. We are providing a voice to those who have been ignored by our media, and silenced by special interests.
Joining us in the audience tonight are four very brave Americans whose government failed them.
Their names are Jamiel Shaw, Susan Oliver, Jenna Oliver, and Jessica Davis.
Jamiel's 17-year-old son was viciously murdered by an illegal immigrant gang member, who had just been released from prison. Jamiel Shaw Jr. was an incredible young man, with unlimited potential who was getting ready to go to college where he would have excelled as a great quarterback. But he never got the chance. His father, who is in the audience tonight, has become a good friend of mine.
Also with us are Susan Oliver and Jessica Davis. Their husbands –- Deputy Sheriff Danny Oliver and Detective Michael Davis –- were slain in the line of duty in California. They were pillars of their community. These brave men were viciously gunned down by an illegal immigrant with a criminal record and two prior deportations.
Sitting with Susan is her daughter, Jenna. Jenna: I want you to know that your father was a hero, and that tonight you have the love of an entire country supporting you and praying for you.
To Jamiel, Jenna, Susan and Jessica: I want you to know –- we will never stop fighting for justice. Your loved ones will never be forgotten, we will always honor their memory.
Finally, to keep America Safe we must provide the men and women of the United States military with the tools they need to prevent war and –- if they must –- to fight and to win.
I am sending the Congress a budget that rebuilds the military, eliminates the Defense sequester, and calls for one of the largest increases in national defense spending in American history.
My budget will also increase funding for our veterans.
Our veterans have delivered for this Nation –- and now we must deliver for them.
The challenges we face as a Nation are great. But our people are even greater.
And none are greater or braver than those who fight for America in uniform.
We are blessed to be joined tonight by Carryn Owens, the widow of a U.S. Navy Special Operator, Senior Chief William "Ryan" Owens. Ryan died as he lived: a warrior, and a hero –- battling against terrorism and securing our Nation.
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I just spoke to General Mattis, who reconfirmed that, and I quote, "Ryan was a part of a highly successful raid that generated large amounts of vital intelligence that will lead to many more victories in the future against our enemies." Ryan's legacy is etched into eternity. For as the Bible teaches us, there is no greater act of love than to lay down one's life for one's friends. Ryan laid down his life for his friends, for his country, and for our freedom –- we will never forget him.
To those allies who wonder what kind of friend America will be, look no further than the heroes who wear our uniform.
Our foreign policy calls for a direct, robust and meaningful engagement with the world. It is American leadership based on vital security interests that we share with our allies across the globe.
We strongly support NATO, an alliance forged through the bonds of two World Wars that dethroned fascism, and a Cold War that defeated communism.
But our partners must meet their financial obligations.
And now, based on our very strong and frank discussions, they are beginning to do just that.
We expect our partners, whether in NATO, in the Middle East, or the Pacific –- to take a direct and meaningful role in both strategic and military operations, and pay their fair share of the cost.
We will respect historic institutions, but we will also respect the sovereign rights of nations.
Free nations are the best vehicle for expressing the will of the people –- and America respects the right of all nations to chart their own path. My job is not to represent the world. My job is to represent the United States of America. But we know that America is better off, when there is less conflict -- not more.
We must learn from the mistakes of the past –- we have seen the war and destruction that have raged across our world.
The only long-term solution for these humanitarian disasters is to create the conditions where displaced persons can safely return home and begin the long process of rebuilding.
America is willing to find new friends, and to forge new partnerships, where shared interests align. We want harmony and stability, not war and conflict.
We want peace, wherever peace can be found. America is friends today with former enemies. Some of our closest allies, decades ago, fought on the opposite side of these World Wars. This history should give us all faith in the possibilities for a better world.
Hopefully, the 250th year for America will see a world that is more peaceful, more just and more free.
On our 100th anniversary, in 1876, citizens from across our Nation came to Philadelphia to celebrate America's centennial. At that celebration, the country's builders and artists and inventors showed off their creations.
Alexander Graham Bell displayed his telephone for the first time.
Remington unveiled the first typewriter. An early attempt was made at electric light.
Thomas Edison showed an automatic telegraph and an electric pen.
Imagine the wonders our country could know in America's 250th year.
Think of the marvels we can achieve if we simply set free the dreams of our people.
Cures to illnesses that have always plagued us are not too much to hope.
American footprints on distant worlds are not too big a dream.
Millions lifted from welfare to work is not too much to expect.
And streets where mothers are safe from fear -- schools where children learn in peace -- and jobs where Americans prosper and grow -- are not too much to ask.
When we have all of this, we will have made America greater than ever before. For all Americans.
This is our vision. This is our mission.
But we can only get there together.
We are one people, with one destiny.
We all bleed the same blood.
We all salute the same flag.
And we are all made by the same God.
And when we fulfill this vision; when we celebrate our 250 years of glorious freedom, we will look back on tonight as when this new chapter of American Greatness began.
The time for small thinking is over. The time for trivial fights is behind us.
We just need the courage to share the dreams that fill our hearts.
The bravery to express the hopes that stir our souls.
And the confidence to turn those hopes and dreams to action.
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.
I am asking all citizens to embrace this Renewal of the American Spirit. I am asking all members of Congress to join me in dreaming big, and bold and daring things for our country. And I am asking everyone watching tonight to seize this moment and --
Believe in yourselves.
Believe in your future.
And believe, once more, in America.
Thank you, God bless you, and God Bless these United States.
