Neil A. Carousso produces NewsNation original “Kurt’s Country” – a celebration of country music and a slice of Americana with host Kurt Bardella.
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Unity and Leadership: President Trump Delivers an Inspiring Message in a Joint Session of Congress and to the American People, Pleads for Unity between Parties
By Neil A. Carousso
An optimistic, powerful, motivating, inspiring, bold and post-partisan, unifying message to Americans by President Donald J. Trump.
It was a message based on reality, focused on winning economically and militarily in order to protect our freedom and American values.
President Trump delivers his first joint session of Congress address (Reuters) The most emotional and poignant moment was when President Trump ensured Navy SEAL Ryan Owens‘ widow, Carryn, that Owens died for a reason in his mission to protect Americans and advance liberty, despite some of the criticisms from those who believe the raid in Yemen was not appropriate. There was a long standing ovation, lasting over two minutes, for Mrs. Owens.
Chief Petty Officer William ‘Ryan’ Owens. (Courtesy: Capt. Jason Salata/Naval Special Warfare Command) President Trump reinforced his pledge to eradicate the “vile enemy” of the Islamic State and provide much-needed and long overdue support for our veterans.
The Chief Executive called for both sides to come together to pass immigration reform to protect our borders and our children from drugs and violent crime. Trump called for inner-city reform, including school choice, to give people chances to succeed. A guest of Mr. Trump’s, Denisha Merriweathe, was the first person in her family to graduate from high school and college after overcoming adversity of failing 3rd grade twice and other educational and economic disadvantages.
President Trump called for Congress to repeal and replace of the Affordable Healthcare Act that has shrunk the private healthcare industry, driving premiums and deductibles higher and cutting competition across the board. The ACA or ObamaCare has not worked for all Americans.
President Trump called for unity in supporting a non-ideological, common sense agenda that Americans voted for on November 8th.
“The time for small thinking is over. The time for trivial fights is behind us,” pleaded President Trump in his call for American unity.
Democratic politicians, meanwhile, have not represented flexibility in their demeanor to hearing a message of putting the United States interests first and supporting victims of preventable illegal immigrant crime with families of people killed by illegal aliens as guests of the President. Democrats even sat during calls for increased women entrepreneurship. It was clear that the Democrats were not willing to agree with any point, even nonpartisan or more ideologically left positions, that Mr. Trump has taken throughout the campaign and into his administration like paid family leave.
President Trump even called for a more comprehensive infrastructure plan than President Barack Obama proposed.
The President began his speech by discussing Black History Month, saying it reminds us of “work that still remains to be done.” Trump denounced all hate crimes including anti-Semitic actions.
The President reenforced his agenda, listed his early successes, and reminded Americans of his campaign promises with effective messaging, heart and true “American spirit.” It is evident that Mr. Trump is a man of action who truly wants to Make America Great Again for everyone from the coasts to Middle America to the inner-cities.
“Believe in yourselves. Believe in your future. And believe, once more, in America,” said President Trump.
Given that President Trump expressed a more conciliatory tone, an instant CNN/ORC poll found that 57 percent of people who tuned in reporting a “very positive reaction” to the Commander-In-Chief’s first address to Congress. “Nearly 7-in-10 who watched said the President’s proposed policies would move the country in the right direction and almost two-thirds said the president has the right priorities for the country. Overall, about 7-in-10 said the speech made them feel more optimistic about the direction of the country.”
Carryn Owens, widow of Navy SEAL William Ryan Owens, reacts after being recognized by President Donald Trump during his address to a joint session of Congress in the Capitol’s House Chamber. (Photo By Tom Williams/CQ Roll Call) 
President Trump looks up at Carryn Owens, widow of a Navy SEAL killed in last month’s raid in Yemen. (Getty Images) 
First Lady Melania Trump receives a standing ovation prior to her husband’s address to Congress. Behind the First Lady is Mr. Trump’s son-in-law and Senior Advisor to the President Jared Kushner and his wife Ivanka Trump. Next to Ivanka is widow of Navy SEAL Ryan Owens, Carryn Owens. Adjacent to the First Lady are Mr. Trump’s invited guests, family of victims of illegal immigrant crime and others. (AP Photo) 
President Trump (centered) with Vice President Mike Pence (back left) and House Speaker Paul Ryan (back right) applauding the 45th President. After a busy day of signing executive orders prior to the Congressional address, President Trump is expected to pass another order this week suspending immigrants and refugees from terror-riddled nations, as in the original executive order, with some reported changes, that is tied up in the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals. The President is hoping for better messaging from his administration to gain support for the national security measure, following the Department of Homeland Security memos that were issued last week.
Featured Image Courtesy: Associated Press.
