LIVE: Reciprocal tariffs against India from April 2, announces Trump in Congress address

US President Donald Trump on Tuesday (February 4) explained in detail his administration’s ruthless policies on gender, tariff and illegal immigration while sharpening his attack on predecessor Joe Biden, during his first joint address to the Congress since he was sworn in for a second term.

Trump took credit for “swift and unrelenting action” in reorienting the nation's economy, immigration and foreign policy as he updated Congress and the American people on his turbulent first few weeks in office, which have featured a dismantling of the federal government, tensions with America's allies and a trade war compounding economic uncertainty.

His joint address to Congress was the latest marker in Trump's takeover of the nation's capital, where the Republican-led House and Senate have done little to restrain the president as he and his allies work to slash the size of the federal government and remake America's place in the world. With a tight grip on his party, Trump has been emboldened to take sweeping actions after overcoming impeachments in his first term and criminal prosecutions in between his two administrations.

Trump's theme was the "renewal of the American dream,” the White House said, and he laid out his achievements as well as appealed to Congress to provide more money to finance his aggressive immigration crackdown.

“It has been nothing but swift and unrelenting action,” Trump said of his opening weeks in office, according to excerpts prepared by the White House. “The People elected me to do the job, and I am doing it.”

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