Politics

President Trump to deliver State of the Union amid partial government shutdown

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Feb 24, 2026

THE BARE STORY

President Donald Trump is scheduled to deliver the first State of the Union address of his second term tonight before a joint session of Congress. The speech takes place during the second week of a partial government shutdown caused by a legislative impasse over funding for the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). The event also follows a Supreme Court ruling last week that struck down a significant portion of the administration's global tariff policies as illegal.

While Speaker Mike Johnson and Democratic leaders Hakeem Jeffries and Chuck Schumer plan to attend, a growing number of Democratic lawmakers have announced they will skip the address. Many of these members intend to attend a counter-rally on the National Mall near the Lincoln Memorial. Minority Leader Jeffries has encouraged caucus members attending the official speech to avoid outbursts, referencing an incident last year where Representative Al Green was removed from the chamber. Virginia Governor Abigail Spanberger is set to deliver the Democratic response, with California Senator Alex Padilla providing the Spanish-language version.

The President indicated the speech would be lengthy, and the White House stated the message would focus on national strength and global respect. Expected topics include tensions with Iran, the economy, and the administration's immigration crackdown. The latter remains a point of contention in the funding dispute; Democrats have demanded changes to Immigration and Customs Enforcement following the deaths of two U.S. citizens, Renee Good and Alex Pretti, during interactions with federal law enforcement in Minneapolis.

Representative Mike Thompson identified himself as a designated survivor for the event and will watch from a secure location, though the White House has not yet publicly named a designated survivor from the Cabinet. Lawmakers from both parties have invited guests to highlight specific issues, including small business owners and relatives of the late Virginia Roberts Giuffre. regarding the President’s economic agenda, Speaker Johnson noted it is unlikely Congress will act to codify the tariff measures recently overturned by the Supreme Court.

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• Primacy of Institutional Continuity Despite the partial shutdown, the insistence on holding the State of the Union—complete with a designated survivor like Rep. Mike Thompson—underscores a belief that the functions of government must survive transient political crises. Speaker Johnson’s attendance signals that respect for the office and the constitutional ritual supersedes partisan disagreements, reinforcing the stability of the republic's framework.

• Sovereignty as First Principle The President’s focus on "national strength" and the funding battle for the DHS are viewed as essential measures to preserve the social order and territorial integrity of the nation. From this perspective, the immigration crackdown is a necessary enforcement of the rule of law, ensuring that the state retains the capacity to define and protect its borders against external pressures.

• Restoration of Legislative Order Speaker Johnson’s indication that Congress will likely not codify the overturned tariff measures demonstrates a commitment to the separation of powers and constitutional boundaries. While the Traditionalist values a strong economy, they prioritize the integrity of the system; accepting the Supreme Court’s ruling without attempting a legislative bypass affirms that even key policy goals must act within established legal constraints.

How it may affect me

As a U.S. reader:

• You continue to face the ongoing service disruptions of a partial government shutdown, now in its second week, as lawmakers remain deadlocked over funding for the Department of Homeland Security.

• You may see shifts in market prices or trade dynamics following the Supreme Court's removal of global tariff policies, with congressional leaders indicating they will not pass legislation to restore these measures.

• You are witnessing a critical debate on the conduct of federal law enforcement that could alter future agency protocols, sparked by the deaths of two U.S. citizens and demands for reform within Immigration and Customs Enforcement.

• You will have the option tonight to view contrasting political messages, choosing between the official State of the Union address, a counter-rally on the National Mall, or the formal opposition response.

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