US President Donald Trump is set to address a joint session of Congress on Tuesday (March 4), delivering his first speech before both chambers since returning to office. The event, typically an opportunity for a president to outline their vision for the country, is happening amid heightened political tensions, with Democrats preparing various forms of protest, according to reports from CBS News and Axios.
<h2>White House dismisses protest concerns</h2>
Despite reports that some Democrats are planning to go further than ever before in their demonstrations, the White House has downplayed the issue. Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt told Fox News Digital that Trump is prepared for any disruptions. "Democrats behaving like children would be the least surprising news of the night," Leavitt said.
Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/why-trump-will-be-delivering-joint-address-to-congress-and-not-state-of-the-union-speech-8790570" rel="dofollow noopener" target="_blank">Why Trump will be delivering 'Joint Address to Congress' and not 'State of the Union' speech?</a>
<h2>Democrats plan protests, boycotts</h2>
Meanwhile, Democratic lawmakers are actively preparing ways to express their opposition to Trump&rsquo;s policies. Some members of Congress plan to boycott the speech altogether, while others are expected to bring guests, including fired federal workers and Medicaid recipients.
Freshman Democratic Senator Elissa Slotkin, who won her Michigan seat in November despite Trump carrying the state, will deliver the official Democratic response immediately after the president&rsquo;s speech.
Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/time-to-make-things-right-ukraines-zelensky-ready-to-work-under-trumps-strong-leadership-after-us-halts-aid-8790721" rel="dofollow noopener" target="_blank">'Time to make things right&rsquo;: Zelensky ready to work under Trump&rsquo;s &lsquo;strong leadership&rsquo; after US halts aid</a>
"This is not business as usual, and we would like to find a way&mdash;productively&mdash;to express our outrage," one House Democrat told Axios.
However, there is no consensus among Democrats about the best way to demonstrate their opposition. 
<h2>Planned demonstrations</h2>
A range of symbolic gestures and props have been proposed to make statements against Trump&rsquo;s address:
<ul>
<li>Signs with anti-Trump or anti-DOGE messages</li>
<li>Eggs or empty egg cartons to highlight inflation has driven up food prices</li>
<li>Pocket-sized copies of the US Constitution</li>
<li>Noisemakers, hand clappers, and red cards</li>
</ul>
Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/arab-league-summit-egypts-sisi-says-trump-can-bring-peace-as-leaders-meet-to-oppose-his-gaza-plan-8790469">Arab Summit: Egypt&rsquo;s Sisi says &lsquo;Trump can bring peace&rsquo; as leaders meet to oppose&nbsp;his&nbsp;Gaza&nbsp;plan</a>
Additionally, some Democratic groups plan to use coordinated wardrobe choices as a visual protest:
<ul>
<li>Pink: The Democratic Women's Caucus will wear pink</li>
<li>Black: Female members of the Congressional Black Caucus have discussed dressing in black</li>
<li>Blue and yellow: Members of the Ukraine Caucus will wear ties and scarves in Ukraine&rsquo;s national colours to show support for President Volodymyr Zelensky.</li>
</ul>
Others plan to sit in silence, refusing to applaud for the duration of the speech, a traditional form of silent protest by opposition parties.
House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries has encouraged Democratic lawmakers to&nbsp;be present for the address. In a letter to House Democrats, he stressed the importance of showing that the opposition party remains "ready, willing and able to serve as a check and balance."
Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/white-house-press-secretary-calls-trump-zelensky-showdown-an-incredibly-refreshing-moment-8790660">White House Press Secretary calls Trump-Zelensky showdown an &lsquo;incredibly refreshing&rsquo; moment</a>
Jeffries admitted that some members intended to skip the speech but called for a "strong, determined and dignified Democratic presence in the chamber."

World: The speech, typically an opportunity for a president to outline their vision for the country, is happening amid heightened political tensions, with Democrats preparing various forms of protest.

US President Donald Trump is set to address a joint session of Congress on Tuesday (March 4), delivering his first speech before both chambers since returning to office. The event, typically an opportunity for a president to outline their vision for the country, is happening amid heightened political tensions, with Democrats preparing various forms of protest, according to reports from CBS News and Axios. White House dismisses protest concerns Despite reports that some Democrats are planning to go further than ever before in their demonstrations, the White House has downplayed the issue. Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt told Fox News Digital that Trump is prepared for any disruptions. "Democrats behaving like children would be the least surprising news of the night," Leavitt said. Also read: Why Trump will be delivering 'Joint Address to Congress' and not 'State of the Union' speech? Democrats plan protests, boycotts Meanwhile, Democratic lawmakers are actively preparing ways to express their opposition to Trump’s policies. Some members of Congress plan to boycott the speech altogether, while others are expected to bring guests, including fired federal workers and Medicaid recipients. Freshman Democratic Senator Elissa Slotkin, who won her Michigan seat in November despite Trump carrying the state, will deliver the official Democratic response immediately after the president’s speech. Also read: 'Time to make things right’: Zelensky ready to work under Trump’s ‘strong leadership’ after US halts aid "This is not business as usual, and we would like to find a way—productively—to express our outrage," one House Democrat told Axios. However, there is no consensus among Democrats about the best way to demonstrate their opposition. Planned demonstrations A range of symbolic gestures and props have been proposed to make statements against Trump’s address: Signs with anti-Trump or anti-DOGE messages Eggs or empty egg cartons to highlight inflation has driven up food prices Pocket-sized copies of the US Constitution Noisemakers, hand clappers, and red cards Also read: Arab Summit: Egypt’s Sisi says ‘Trump can bring peace’ as leaders meet to oppose his Gaza plan Additionally, some Democratic groups plan to use coordinated wardrobe choices as a visual protest: Pink: The Democratic Women's Caucus will wear pink Black: Female members of the Congressional Black Caucus have discussed dressing in black Blue and yellow: Members of the Ukraine Caucus will wear ties and scarves in Ukraine’s national colours to show support for President Volodymyr Zelensky. Others plan to sit in silence, refusing to applaud for the duration of the speech, a traditional form of silent protest by opposition parties. House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries has encouraged Democratic lawmakers to be present for the address. In a letter to House Democrats, he stressed the importance of showing that the opposition party remains "ready, willing and able to serve as a check and balance." Also read: White House Press Secretary calls Trump-Zelensky showdown an ‘incredibly refreshing’ moment Jeffries admitted that some members intended to skip the speech but called for a "strong, determined and dignified Democratic presence in the chamber."

‘Will find a way’: Democrats plot to disrupt Trump’s Congress speech; White House calls it ‘childish behaviour’

Behind the scenes at the White House, U.S. President Donald Trump&#39;s daughter Ivanka was a key advocate for the more measured, less combative tone he struck in his speech to a joint session of Congress on Tuesday night, officials said.

The biggest speech of Trump&#39;s month-old presidency was the product of a 10-day effort with his top aides.

While he unveiled no significant changes to policy, the tone of Trump&#39;s speech was a far cry from his bleak &quot;American carnage&quot; inaugural address when he took office on Jan. 20.

The Republican president dropped some of the fierce rhetoric that had been a staple of his first weeks in office. He called for national unity and avoided a repeat of his attacks on Democratic opponents and media organizations.

Polls conducted immediately after the speech showed a clear majority of Americans approved of the softer approach and aides described Trump as buoyed by the reception.

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<h5>The biggest speech of Trump&#39;s month-old presidency was the product of a 10-day effort with his top aides</h5>
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A senior White House official said Ivanka Trump made recommendations for the speech during a brainstorming session in the Oval Office on Sunday, helping her father decide on a new approach aimed at easing concerns over whether he had the right temperament to govern effectively.

&quot;He had a lot of voices around him giving him ideas and suggestions that he incorporated, but he really set out to achieve that optimistic tone and that was something she was supportive of. She encouraged him to do that,&quot; one official said, speaking on condition of anonymity.

&quot;She had a role,&quot; said another. &quot;She helped set the tone.&quot;

Ivanka Trump also persuaded her father to speak favourably about affordable child care and paid family leave, policies she has long backed and which could draw support from Democrats in Congress, said another official with some knowledge of how the speech evolved.

&nbsp;&quot;Her fingerprints are visible on the tone, but especially on those parts of it like maternity leave that matter to her,&quot; the official said.

&#39;Reaching out&#39;

Ivanka Trump, 35, the president&#39;s older daughter, has emerged as an influential informal adviser for her father, particularly on issues important to women and minorities.

After his election victory last November, she stepped away from her business interests in New York to move to Washington and is frequently seen at her father&#39;s events.

A White House official said Trump was the principal author of the speech but had a lot of help in drafting it, including from his daughter.

Trump made the final changes to his speech during a marathon session on Tuesday, working closely with Vice President Mike Pence, chief strategist Steve Bannon, chief of staff Reince Priebus and chief speechwriter Stephen Miller.

Ivanka Trump&#39;s husband, Jared Kushner, is a senior White House adviser with particular interest in trade deals and Middle East diplomacy.

The couple have been among the president&#39;s closest confidants since his election campaign, and Kushner also helped in the drafting of the speech to Congress.

Others involved in the last round of deliberations were White House aides Hope Hicks, Kellyanne Conway and Sean Spicer. Ivanka Trump was not in the sessions on Tuesday.

Ivanka Trump accompanied her father to Dover Air Base in Delaware on Feb. 1 to welcome home the remains of U.S. Navy SEAL William &quot;Ryan&quot; Owens, who was killed in a raid on al Qaeda in Yemen.

At the speech on Tuesday, Owens&#39; widow, Carryn Owens, wept openly when Trump led the crowd in applauding her husband&#39;s service. Standing next to her was Ivanka Trump.

Presidential historian Thomas Alan Schwartz of Vanderbilt University said it was hard to find a similar example in recent history of a presidential daughter having a big influence.

&quot;It&#39;s a way of reaching out on social issues and social welfare issues or issues that sometimes the Republicans are less identified with,&quot; he said.

(Reuters)

Polls conducted immediately after Trump's Congress speech showed a clear majority of Americans approved

Behind the scenes at the White House, U.S. President Donald Trump's daughter Ivanka was a key advocate for the more measured, less combative tone he struck in his speech to a joint session of Congress on Tuesday night, officials said. The biggest speech of Trump's month-old presidency was the product of a 10-day effort with his top aides. While he unveiled no significant changes to policy, the tone of Trump's speech was a far cry from his bleak "American carnage" inaugural address when he took office on Jan. 20. The Republican president dropped some of the fierce rhetoric that had been a staple of his first weeks in office. He called for national unity and avoided a repeat of his attacks on Democratic opponents and media organizations. Polls conducted immediately after the speech showed a clear majority of Americans approved of the softer approach and aides described Trump as buoyed by the reception. The biggest speech of Trump's month-old presidency was the product of a 10-day effort with his top aides × A senior White House official said Ivanka Trump made recommendations for the speech during a brainstorming session in the Oval Office on Sunday, helping her father decide on a new approach aimed at easing concerns over whether he had the right temperament to govern effectively. "He had a lot of voices around him giving him ideas and suggestions that he incorporated, but he really set out to achieve that optimistic tone and that was something she was supportive of. She encouraged him to do that," one official said, speaking on condition of anonymity. "She had a role," said another. "She helped set the tone." Ivanka Trump also persuaded her father to speak favourably about affordable child care and paid family leave, policies she has long backed and which could draw support from Democrats in Congress, said another official with some knowledge of how the speech evolved. "Her fingerprints are visible on the tone, but especially on those parts of it like maternity leave that matter to her," the official said. 'Reaching out' Ivanka Trump, 35, the president's older daughter, has emerged as an influential informal adviser for her father, particularly on issues important to women and minorities. After his election victory last November, she stepped away from her business interests in New York to move to Washington and is frequently seen at her father's events. A White House official said Trump was the principal author of the speech but had a lot of help in drafting it, including from his daughter. Trump made the final changes to his speech during a marathon session on Tuesday, working closely with Vice President Mike Pence, chief strategist Steve Bannon, chief of staff Reince Priebus and chief speechwriter Stephen Miller. Ivanka Trump's husband, Jared Kushner, is a senior White House adviser with particular interest in trade deals and Middle East diplomacy. The couple have been among the president's closest confidants since his election campaign, and Kushner also helped in the drafting of the speech to Congress. Others involved in the last round of deliberations were White House aides Hope Hicks, Kellyanne Conway and Sean Spicer. Ivanka Trump was not in the sessions on Tuesday. Ivanka Trump accompanied her father to Dover Air Base in Delaware on Feb. 1 to welcome home the remains of U.S. Navy SEAL William "Ryan" Owens, who was killed in a raid on al Qaeda in Yemen. At the speech on Tuesday, Owens' widow, Carryn Owens, wept openly when Trump led the crowd in applauding her husband's service. Standing next to her was Ivanka Trump. Presidential historian Thomas Alan Schwartz of Vanderbilt University said it was hard to find a similar example in recent history of a presidential daughter having a big influence. "It's a way of reaching out on social issues and social welfare issues or issues that sometimes the Republicans are less identified with," he said. (Reuters)

That softer Trump? Sources say daughter Ivanka was responsible

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‘Will find a way’: Democrats plot to disrupt Trump’s Congress speech; White House calls it ‘childish behaviour’

That softer Trump? Sources say daughter Ivanka was responsible