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State of the Union Address

Learn a little more...with a link!

Website Article: Newsela, Trump's Speech Warns of Dangers from Abroad | Read a recap of what President Trump said. May need to sign in.

Video: PBS LearningMedia, Crash Course Government and Politics, Presidential Power | What can a President do and not do?

Video: YouTube, Trade America, Tariffs | Ever hear of the rubber-chicken trade fight using tariffs?

Read the script:

NOW LAST WEEK TRUMP GAVE HIS BIGGEST SPEECH TO DATE – HIS FIRST STATE OF THE UNION. ACCORDING TO TRUMP THE STATE IF THE UNION IS… DRUMROLL PLEASE…. STRONG. THAT’S WHAT HE TOLD THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES AND THE SENATE IN THE AUDIENCE.

WHAT MAKES THIS SPEECH DIFFERENT FROM ANY OTHER HE’S GIVEN? WELL REMEMBER A FEW WEEKS AGO NICK CASTELE EXPLAINED THE ROLE OF THE PRESIDENT IN A SPECIAL POLITICS ON POINT. BUT WHAT WE LEFT OUT IS THAT THE US CONSTITUTION’S SECOND ARTICLE ALSO REQUIRES THE PRESIDENT TO GIVE A REPORT TO CONGRESS ABOUT (AIR QUOTES) THE STATE OF THE UNION FROM TIME TO TIME.

THIS IS WHY DURING THESE BIG SPEECHES THE PRESIDENT WILL OFTEN MAKE SURE TO INCLUDE A SENTENCE WITH THE PHRASE “STATE OF THE UNION.” OKAY WELL LET’S SEE WHAT TRUMP HAD TO SAY. REPORTER ABBY PHILLIP HAS A REVIEW FOR US.

PRESIDENT TRUMP: "I CALL UPON ALL OF US TO SET ASIDE OUR DIFFERENCES, TO SEEK OUT COMMON GROUND, AND TO SUMMON THE UNITY WE NEED TO DELIVER FOR THE PEOPLE. THIS IS REALLY THE KEY. THESE ARE THE PEOPLE WE WERE ELECTED TO SERVE."

ABBY: PRESIDENT TRUMP -- STRIKING A CONCILIATORY TONE -- URGING LAWMAKERS TO MOVE PAST THE DEEP DIVISIONS THAT HAVE DEFINED HIS FIRST YEAR IN OFFICE.

PRESIDENT TRUMP: "THIS, IN FACT, IS OUR NEW AMERICAN MOMENT."

MR. TRUMP -- ALSO UTILIZING THE SAME POLARIZING LANGUAGE THAT HAS FERMENTED THE DIVIDE --

PRESIDENT TRUMP: "AMERICANS ARE DREAMERS TOO."

MR. TRUMP -- PLEDGING TO WORK WITH BOTH PARTIES TO STRIKE A DEAL ON IMMIGRATION -- BUT HIS PLAN TO RESTRICT A PROGRAM THAT ALLOWS IMMIGRANTS TO BRING THEIR FAMILY MEMBERS TO THE U.S. -- PROVOKING "BOOS" FROM DEMOCRATS... NAT SOUND 

PRESIDENT TRUMP -- DEVOTING *MUCH* OF HIS SPEECH TO TOUTING HIS ECONOMIC SUCCESSES AND SIGNATURE LEGISLATIVE ACHIEVEMENT.

PRESIDENT TRUMP: "JUST AS I PROMISED THE AMERICAN PEOPLE FROM THIS PODIUM 11 MONTHS AGO, WE ENACTED THE BIGGEST TAX CUTS AND REFORMS IN AMERICAN HISTORY. (APPLAUSE)"

A CLAIM A C-N-N REALITY CHECK DEEMS TO BE FALSE.

MR. TRUMP -- CALLING ON DEMOCRATS TO WORK WITH HIM ON AN AMBITIOUS LIST OF AGENDA ITEMS INCLUDING INFRASTRUCTURE, TRADE, OPIOID ADDICTION, PRISON REFORM, AND LOWERING THE COST OF PRESCRIPTION DRUGS -- WHILE BOASTING ABOUT ROLLING BACK A NUMBER OF OBAMA ERA POLICIES -- INCLUDING THE INDIVIDUAL MANDATE -- AND ANNOUNCING PLANS TO KEEP THE CONTROVERSIAL MILITARY PRISON IN GUANTANAMO BAY OPEN.