Trump's first address to Congress of second term, Reactions from Okla. lawmakers

President Donald Trump delivered his first address to a joint session of Congress on Tuesday night after taking office for his second term, highlighting what he called significant achievements in his first six weeks.

Speaking for more than 35 minutes, Trump claimed he had accomplished more in that time than most administrations do in four or eight years. The speech was largely partisan, with Republicans offering standing ovations while Democrats largely remained seated. Some Democrats walked out in protest.

Early in the address, Rep. Al Green (D-Texas) was removed from the chamber after disrupting the proceedings.

“This is my fifth such speech to Congress, and once again, I look at the Democrats in front of me and realize there is absolutely nothing I can say to make them happy or to make them stand or smile or applaud. Nothing I can do,” Trump said.

The president focused on a range of issues, including his use of executive orders to reverse what he called “woke policies,” stating, “America will be woke no more.” He criticized President Joe Biden’s economic policies, blaming him for high egg prices and what he described as a struggling economy.

Trump also touted his energy agenda, including expanding domestic drilling under the slogan “drill, baby, drill.” He touched on cryptocurrency, mentioning Dogecoin, and reiterated his stance on trade, saying the U.S. has been “ripped off for decades” but that it would end under his leadership.

Griffin Media's Washington Bureau Chief Alex Cameron was live from D.C.

Rep. Stephanie Bice Responds to Trump’s Address

Oklahoma Congresswoman Stephanie Bice, who represents the 5th District, said Trump’s remarks were exactly what she and others wanted to hear from the president.

“I think it’s really what we wanted to see from President Trump, and that is what the vision is for the next four years,” Bice said. “He talked a lot about the first 43 days, what he has done so far and what he will continue to do.”

Bice agreed with Trump’s assertion that “America is back,” saying many in her district feel the same way. She pointed to foreign policy concerns, such as the U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan, as examples of past missteps that Trump is now working to correct.

Oklahoma City Federal Building Faces Uncertain Future

During the interview, Bice also addressed the recent news that the U.S. General Services Administration (GSA) has listed 440 federal properties—including the Oklahoma City Federal Building—as potential targets for shutdown or disposal.

With the 30th anniversary of the 1995 bombing approaching, Bice expressed skepticism about the decision, noting that many similar shutdown plans have been reversed upon closer review.

“This just happened late this afternoon, so we haven’t received a lot of information yet,” Bice said. “But what I would tell you is that there have been several instances over the last week or so where federal buildings were slated for closure, and then once there was a closer examination, those directives were rescinded. I think it’s going to be the same way for this.”

She emphasized the building’s importance, noting that it houses military personnel and is highly utilized.

“I don’t know that they have done the deep dive to be able to make the decisions that they really need to. I expect this to be rescinded,” Bice said. “I will fight to make sure that these important facilities within the 5th District continue to remain open.”

Rep. Kevin Hern Responds To Address

Rep. Kevin Hern, who represents Oklahoma’s 1st District in the Tulsa area, also reacted to Trump’s speech, calling it a strong message of renewal and determination.

Hern noted that Trump had not rehearsed the speech beforehand but knew the content by heart, making for an authentic and personal delivery. He highlighted a particularly moving moment when Trump spoke about Butler, Pennsylvania, and the firefighter comparator, describing it as a reminder of the president’s personal commitment to his mission of restoring the country.

Hern also expressed disappointment that some Democrats did not stand to applaud during key moments of the speech, particularly when Trump mentioned the tragic murder of 12-year-old Laken Riley.

“I get politics, but I don’t understand why you don’t applaud survivors and the tragedy they had to go through,” Hern said. “All Americans need to have compassion in those particular instances.”

Hern said Trump’s message resonated strongly with Oklahomans, pointing to high approval ratings for the president across the state.

“When you look at the polling across Oklahoma, certainly among Republicans, it’s very high—85 to 11 favorable to unfavorable,” Hern said. “Some districts are even higher than that.”

Looking ahead, Hern said Congress has a big job to do in supporting Trump’s policies, particularly when it comes to cutting spending and boosting the economy. He emphasized that with Republicans controlling both chambers, there is a limited window to get key legislation passed.

“We sent a message last week on the House side,” Hern said. “We can only lose one or two people. We sent the message to the Senate—we can get it done. But we’ve got to keep it moving forward.”