Remarks by President Trump in State of the Union Address
"Perhaps someday in the future, there will be a magical moment when the countries of the world will get together to eliminate their nuclear weapons. Unfortunately, we are not there yet, sadly."---President Trump during his State of the Union AddressFrom the White House webpage posted 1/ 30/ 18
Key quotes from Trump's speech:
( 1) " Terrorists who do things like place bombs in civilian hospitals are evil. When possible, we have no choice but to annihilate them. When necessary, we must be able to detain and question them. But we must be clear: Terrorists are not merely criminals. They are unlawful enemy combatants. And when captured overseas, they should be treated like the terrorists they are.
In the past, we have foolishly released hundreds and hundreds of dangerous terrorists, only to meet them again on the battlefield — including the ISIS leader, al-Baghdadi, who we captured, who we had, who we released.
So today, I’m keeping another promise. I just signed, prior to walking in, an order directing Secretary Mattis, who is doing a great job, thank you to reexamine our military detention policy and to keep open the detention facilities in Guantanamo Bay.
I am asking Congress to ensure that, in the fight against ISIS and al Qaeda, we continue to have all necessary power to detain terrorists, wherever we chase them down, wherever we find them. And in many cases, for them, it will now be Guantanamo Bay.
At the same time, as of a few months ago, our warriors in Afghanistan have new rules of engagement.
Along with their heroic Afghan partners, our military is no longer undermined by artificial timelines, and we no longer tell our enemies our plans.
(2) " Last month, I also took an action endorsed unanimously by the U.S. Senate just months before. I recognized Jerusalem as the capital of Israel.
Shortly afterwards, dozens of countries voted in the United Nations General Assembly against America’s sovereign right to make this decision. In 2016, American taxpayers generously sent those same countries more than $20 billion in aid.
That is why, tonight, I am asking Congress to pass legislation to help ensure American foreign-assistance dollars always serve American interests, and only go to friends of America, not enemies of America.
As we strengthen friendships all around the world, we are also restoring clarity about our adversaries.
(3) When the people of Iran rose up against the crimes of their corrupt dictatorship, I did not stay silent. America stands with the people of Iran in their courageous struggle for freedom. I am asking Congress to address the fundamental flaws in the terrible Iran nuclear deal."
(4) "But no regime has oppressed its own citizens more totally or brutally than the cruel dictatorship in North Korea. North Korea’s reckless pursuit of nuclear missiles could very soon threaten our homeland. We are waging a campaign of maximum pressure to prevent that from ever happening.
Past experience has taught us that complacency and concessions only invite aggression and provocation. I will not repeat the mistakes of past administrations that got us into this very dangerous position.
We need only look at the depraved character of the North Korean regime to understand the nature of the nuclear threat it could pose to America and to our allies."
Listen to full speech here
(see commentary on page 6)
Reaction from our Congressional delegation to Washington D.C
Congressman Kilmer: Kilmer Statement Following the State of the UnionPress release issued 1/ 31/ 18
WASHINGTON, D.C. –This evening, following President Donald Trump’s first State of the Union, Representative Derek Kilmer made the following statement:
“While America has seen some economic progress over the past several years, the recovery hasn’t been felt everywhere. In my view, the government needs to get focused on creating more economic opportunity for more people in more places,” Rep. Derek Kilmer said. “Tonight, the president promised a couple of things that I’ve long supported, such as investing in the nation’s infrastructure and building a skilled workforce. To fulfill those promises, he’ll need to do something he hasn’t adequately done so far – work across the aisle. I’m going to keep pushing to move our economy – and this government – forward.”
Related news release from Kilmer on 1/ 26/ 17
Kilmer, Martinez Teaming Up to Advocate for Investments in Region’s Infrastructure, Workforce at Trump State of the Union
WASHINGTON, DC –Today, Rep. Derek Kilmer announced he will bring the President of the Washington State Building and Construction Trades Council, Mark Martinez, to advocate for infrastructure investments and the jobs that come with them at President Donald Trump’s first State of the Union. The president will deliver the speech on Tuesday, January 30, 2018.
“Investments in infrastructure in our region mean great jobs,” Rep. Derek Kilmer said. “We’re losing ground to other countries, but we can beat them in the long run if we invest now. In addition to fixing the region’s roads and bridges, the government needs to expand rural broadband and equip workers with the skills to compete in the changing economy.”
Senator Murray: President Trump’s first year marked by so much divisiveness and empty, unfulfilled rhetoric, “it’s hard to take his new promises today too seriously”
(Washington, D.C.) – Today, U.S. Senator Patty Murray (D-WA) released the following statement after President Trump’s State of the Union address to a joint session of Congress:
“President Trump can try to take credit for the economy he inherited, and he can try to convince people that every problem in America is someone else’s fault—but one year into his Administration it is very clear that our country is more divided, more chaotic, less safe, worse for workers, women, and the middle class, and a whole lot better for millionaires, billionaires, and massive corporations.
“President Trump may be proud of his work over the past year, but I know the vast majority of people in Washington state and across the country are appalled by his rhetoric and his policies, and they want a change. So I am hopeful that this next year can be spent bringing Republicans and Democrats together to restore respect and get results in spite of President Trump’s bullying, divisiveness, and anti-middle class agenda—because there is a whole lot that needs to get done for families and communities in Washington state and across the country.
“President Trump has spent his first year in office breaking the promises he made during his campaign, so it’s hard to take his new promises today too seriously. He promised to address the opioid crisis but hasn’t proposed any new funding. He promised to improve health care for patients but instead has sabotaged it at every opportunity. He promised tax cuts for the middle class but jammed through a tax plan that gives millionaires and billionaires another tax break. He touted infrastructure investment—something long supported by Democrats—but still can’t articulate a plan that doesn’t punish middle class families. The list of broken promises goes on and on, which makes it very difficult for Democrats or Republicans to count on anything he’s proposed today.
“Although I may not agree with President Trump’s assessment of where we are as a nation or where we should go, I remain hopeful and energized by the millions of people across the country who are fighting for something better. I was proud to invite an amazing woman named Leah Griffin from Washington state to be my guest tonight. Leah is an incredibly brave person who turned her own painful experience into a personal mission to make sure that others who experience sexual violence get the respect, support, and compassion they deserve when they seek help. I’m amazed by Leah’s dedication and compassion for advocating for meaningful legislation to address gaps in our system, and I couldn’t be prouder to help lift up Leah’s voice—and her cause—in Congress.
“Our nation is facing some serious challenges, and our government isn't rising to them just yet. But with people like Leah fighting every single day for a stronger union and a better tomorrow, I am confident that we will get there.”
Note: Sen. Cantwell offered no comment on the State of the Union address but did manage to release the following : Senators Cantwell, Murray Fear Trump Administration Nuclear Posture Review Policies “Raise the Real Possibility of Nuclear Conflict”
Release on 1/ 29/ 18
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senators Maria Cantwell (D-WA) and Patty Murray (D-WA) called on President Donald Trump to reconsider policies outlined in a leaked draft of its Nuclear Posture Review that would lead to the development of new nuclear weapons and reintroduction of Cold War-era weapons systems that would be unnecessary and destabilizing. In a letter sent today by Senators Murray, Cantwell and fourteen of their colleagues, the senators write that taking these steps would increase America’s nuclear warfighting capacity that would pressure other nuclear states like North Korea to follow suit. The Senators also expressed concern that the new weapons and missions would require additional funding beyond the $1.7 trillion the Congressional Budget Office estimates it would cost to modernize existing U.S. nuclear forces.
“The sole purpose of our nuclear arsenal should be to deter nuclear attack against the United States, our allies and partners,” write the senators in the letter. “However, the reported policies outlined in your forthcoming Nuclear Posture Review increase the risk of a nuclear arms race and raise the real possibility of nuclear conflict. As the world’s greatest nuclear power and the only nation that has ever used nuclear weapons in combat, we have a unique responsibility to continue to lead the international community towards eventual nuclear disarmament.”
Note: Governor Jay Inslee also offered no comment on Trump's State of the Union address. However in case you missed it see the State of the State address
Quote: " Inslee’s State of the State calls for action this session to put a price on carbon
Following the Legislature’s successes tackling transportation and education, Inslee says it’s now time to turn attention to acting on carbon pollution" Speech text here
In other related State of the Union headlines...
PJ Media: 5 Times Democrats Should Have Stood and Clapped During Trump's State of the Union — But Didn't
NYT: Trump’s Speech Leaves Two Sides Further Apart Than Ever on Immigration
The Daily Signal: In 16 Reactions, How the Left Responded to Trump’s First State of the Union
In other headlines...
Pacific Northwest Lawmakers to Secretary Zinke: Hands Off Our Coast
Cantwell Joins Colleagues in Urging Trump to Fund National Sea Grant College Program
Top Senate & House Democrats Warn President Trump: To Use Nunes Memo as Pretext for Firing Deputy AG Rosenstein, Special Counsel Mueller or other DOJ Leadership Would be Viewed As an Attempt to Obstruct Justice in Russia Investigation
Senator Murray’s Statement on the Release of the GOP House Intelligence Committee Memo
Senator Murray Urges President to Include Rural Broadband in Infrastructure Proposal
Just in: Trump claims GOP memo ‘totally vindicates “Trump” in probe’ (WP)
From the US Mission to the UN: Ambassador Haley on the President’s State of the Union Address
" Tonight, the President made it clear that America is finally leading again. We know our country is always stronger when we take clear action that puts the safety and security of Americans first. For the first time in a long time, our friends know that they can count on the United States to have their backs, and our enemies know that we will no longer give them passes when they threaten American interests. We are standing strong against dangerous and destabilizing regimes that continue to violate their international commitments, as well as terrorist organizations like ISIS that are losing ground and on the run. We are squeezing the North Korean regime with the strongest ever UN Security Council sanctions, and we are sharing with the world concrete evidence of Iran’s destabilizing actions. Across the world, and at the UN, we are standing up for our allies and our ideals again, paying close attention to who stands with us and who goes against us. America will continue to be a generous country – because it is the American way – but as the President has said, we are done writing blank checks to countries who act against us. It’s a new day – and a great day – for America."
In World News headlines...
From the Un News Center:
Security operations by Myanmar show ‘established pattern’ of domination over ethnic groups – UN expert
1 February 2018 – What Myanmar’s Government has claimed are military and security operations are “actually an established pattern” of domination and aggression against ethnic groups, the United Nations independent expert on the rights situation there said on Thursday, reporting on her visit to nearby countries, including Bangladesh, which is hosting nearly 900,000 Rohingya refugees.
Human cost of conflict in South Sudan has reached ‘epic proportions,’ warns UN refugee agency chief
1 February 2018 – The human cost of South Sudan’s long-running conflict has reached “epic proportions” with the number of refugees set to rise beyond three million by the end of this year, potentially making it Africa’s largest refugee crisis since the mid-1990s, the head of the UN refugee agency said on Thursday.
Giving voice to Yemen’s voiceless: Jamie McGoldrick reflects on two years leading UN’s relief effort
1 February 2018 – This year’s UN Response Plan for Yemen, describes the war-torn country as “the worst man-made humanitarian crisis” in the world, with more than 22 million people – around three-quarters of the total population – in need of help.
In this week's edition:
Sharing Washington state’s story of innovation, success with the world (pg 2)
Reminder From Davos: Trade Moves on Without Us (pg 3)
Secretary DeVos Convenes Higher Education Summit: Innovation Blends Technology and the Personal Touch (pg 4)
Despite Continued Challenges, China Offers Huge Potential for U.S. Farm Exports( pg 5)
Key points from State of Union made sense to me.(commentary pg 6)
See our new comic strip page " Night Owl Comics" (pg 7)
