Trump to address joint session of Congress: What to expect
WATCH LIVE: Trump's speech to Congress
WASHINGTON - President Donald Trump is delivering his first address to a joint session of Congress in five years Tuesday night. The president is facing pressure from Democrats on several fronts, from slashing the federal workforce to brand new tariffs that could cause prices to spike.
The speech comes as the administration’s Department of Government Efficiency continues to slash the federal workforce, leaving thousands without jobs in D.C. and beyond.
The White House has claimed that DOGE, led by billionaire Elon Musk has logged a total estimated savings as of Tuesday is $105 billion.
The reported savings come from a "combination of fraud detection/deletion, contract/lease cancellations, contract/lease renegotiations, asset sales, grant cancellations, workforce reductions, programmatic changes, and regulatory savings," according to DOGE.
"We are working to upload all of this data in a digestible and fully transparent manner with clear assumptions, consistent with applicable rules and regulations," the department says on its website.
Democrats Boycott
Many Democrats have decided not to attend Trump’s speech. Among those who will not be at the U.S. Capitol are Virginia Representatives Don Beyer and Gerry Connolly — the top Democrat on the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee.
"The challenges my constituents face demand more than sitting in a chamber I revere, listening as if the person addressing our country is not unleashing chaos and cruelty on their lives. I cannot give audience to that," Connolly said in a press release.
What to expect as Trump addresses Congress tonight
President Donald Trump will soon deliver his first address to a joint session of Congress in five years. The president is facing pressure from Democrats on several fronts from slashing the federal workforce to brand new tariffs that could cause prices to spike. FOX 5's Tom Fitzgerald has more on what lawmakers can expect to hear from the president tonight.
Maryland Rep. Kweisi Mfume will not attend, saying in a statement, "Donald Trump and Elon Musk are destroying the state of the union. I don’t need to be there to watch him claim otherwise."
Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez is also among those who won't be in attendance. She said in a post on BlueSky that she will instead be live posting, then later going live on Instagram.
But House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries has been urging Democrats to attend, saying it's important to show that there is a strong opposition party.
"It is important to have a strong, determined and dignified Democratic presence in the chamber. The House as an institution belongs to the American people, and as their representatives we will not be run off the block or bullied," Jeffries wrote in a ‘Dear Colleague’ letter.
What time is Trump's speech tonight?
Trump’s remarks to Congress are expected to begin at 9 p.m. on Tuesday, March 4.
The president will deliver his speech in the U.S. House chamber.
How do I watch Trump's speech tonight?
FOX 5 DC will stream Trump's full address online and on FOX LOCAL.
CLICK HERE TO WATCH TRUMP'S FULL ADDRESS ON YOUTUBE.
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The Source: FOX 5 reporting, Department of Government Efficiency website, statement from Rep. Gerry Connolly, statement from Rep. Kweisi Mfume, statement from Rep. Hakeem Jeffries, BlueSky post from Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez.