About Last Night...

Last night, on the eve of Ash Wednesday—a day set aside in many Christian traditions for reflection and humility—Donald Trump delivered what’s officially being called an “Address to a Joint Session of Congress.” Not surprisingly, Democrats remained silent. He boasted of capturing violent criminals who harm our communities. Not a peep from the opposing side. He introduced a brave, 13-year-old child who survived brain cancer and promised to make him an honorary Secret Service agent. Nothing but cold shoulders from Democratic lawmakers.

The only moment Democrats did break their silence was when Trump mentioned having already spent hundreds of billions of dollars on aiding Ukraine. They actually applauded—not for the idea of negotiating a lasting peace or seeking resolution, but simply for continuing to send massive sums of money abroad. When Trump paused and asked, “You want this to keep going for another five years?” Senator Elizabeth Warren, as reported and shown in video clips, appeared to say “yes.” It was the one standout burst of enthusiasm from Democrats all night.

What a missed opportunity- If the Democratic Party wanted to present a true, principled opposition, they could have seized this address to critique specifics in policy—whether on taxes, tariffs, or healthcare—while still celebrating the basic American values of safety, freedom, and resilience. Instead, they appeared sullen, unresponsive, and at times bizarrely enthusiastic only for endless war overseas.

If there’s a single takeaway from Trump’s latest address, it’s that Americans have grown weary of the old, inert ways of Washington. Even many who don’t necessarily align with all of Trump’s views, like myself appreciated his directness and willingness to challenge the status quo. Voters see the huge sums heading overseas and wonder why their own grocery bills, healthcare costs, and public safety concerns are ignored.

Democratic lawmakers, through their refusal to engage with or even politely acknowledge good news—like a child beating cancer—may well be painting themselves into a corner. It’s hard to blame everyday people for asking: “Who, exactly, does the Democratic Party represent?” Because last night, it wasn’t the optimistic young cancer survivor. It wasn’t Americans worried about crime or the country’s financial health. It certainly wasn’t citizens who think the United States should fix its own problems before dumping billions more into a quagmire overseas.

In the long run, if Democrats continue down this path—offering only fleeting, unbridled enthusiasm for a foreign war while ignoring monumental domestic priorities—they risk alienating themselves from the majority of Americans who simply want safer streets, a balanced budget, and compassionate governance. Trump’s speech might not have been a traditional State of the Union, but it certainly gave the nation a state of our politics: fractious, divided, and in desperate need of leaders who remember that “America First” should at least be a guiding principle, no matter which party holds the majority.