The White House released excerpts from Trump's State of the Union speech (as prepared for delivery) several hours before the congressional address.
Among the excerpts:
• Last year I pledged that we would work with our allies to extinguish ISIS from the face of the earth. One year later, I’m proud to report that the coalition to defeat ISIS has liberated almost 100 percent of the territory once held by these killers in Iraq and Syria. But there is much more work to be done. We will continue our fight until ISIS is defeated.
• Past experience has taught us that complacency and concessions only invite aggression and provocation. I will not repeat the mistakes of the past Administrations that got us into this dangerous position.
The White House released excerpts from Trump's State of the Union speech (as prepared for delivery) several hours before the congressional address.
Among the excerpts:
• Struggling communities, especially immigrant communities, will also be helped by immigration policies that focus on the best interests of American Workers and American Families.
• So tonight I am extending an open hand to work with members of both parties, Democrats and Republicans, to protect our citizens, of every background, color, and creed.
• As we rebuild America’s strength and confidence at home, we are also restoring our strength and standing abroad.
Only four of nine Supreme Court justices will attend tonight's address.
Those showing up: Chief Justice John Roberts, Elena Kagan, Stephen Breyer and Neil Gorsuch, Trump's sole appointee so far.
Those skipping: Ruth Bader Ginsburg, Clarence Thomas, Samuel Alito, Sonia Sotomayor and Anthony Kennedy.
It is customary for justices to sit near the front, dressed in their official black robes. But justices frequently skip the event.
As the late Justice Antonin Scalia famously lamented, "You just sit there, looking stupid."