Having trouble reading between the lines of President Trump’s speech to Congress on Tuesday? Here are a few choice sections of the speech and a brief explanation of what Trump meant, but didn’t say outright.
“To any in Congress who do not believe we should enforce our laws, I would ask you this question: What would you say to the American family that loses their jobs, their income, or a loved one, because America refused to uphold its laws and defend its borders?”
Shorter Trump: Democrats, if you don’t help me crack down on illegal immigration, what are you going to tell voters who are hurt, literally or figuratively, by those who aren’t citizens?
“It is not compassionate, but reckless, to allow uncontrolled entry from places where proper vetting cannot occur. … We cannot allow a beachhead of terrorism to form inside America — we cannot allow our Nation to become a sanctuary for extremists.”
Shorter Trump: We have to uphold my executive order that (temporarily) bans travel and refugees from seven Muslim-majority countries.
“Tonight, as I outline the next steps we must take as a country, we must honestly acknowledge the circumstances we inherited. … Overseas, we have inherited a series of tragic foreign policy disasters.”
Shorter Trump: Remember when Obama blamed Bush for everything? I’m going to do that too, at least for now.
“Our trade deficit in goods with the world last year was nearly $800 billion dollars.”
Shorter Trump: We need to make more things in the U.S. and start exporting more than we import.
“My economic team is developing historic tax reform that will reduce the tax rate on our companies so they can compete and thrive anywhere and with anyone. At the same time, we will provide massive tax relief for the middle class.”
Shorter Trump: We’re going to cut the corporate income tax rate and cut the personal income tax rate for the middle-class. Who do we define as middle-class? We’ll let you know later.
“Currently, when we ship products out of America, many other countries make us pay very high tariffs and taxes — but when foreign companies ship their products into America, we charge them almost nothing.”
Shorter Trump: It’s easier for us to charge them higher tariffs than to get them to charge us lower tariffs, so we’re going to take the easy way out.
“[While Harley-Davidson officials and workers were at the White House] they wanted me to ride one and I said, ‘No thank you.'”
Shorter Trump: I didn’t want to look stupid on camera.
“I believe strongly in free trade, but it also has to be fair trade.”
Shorter Trump: I don’t believe in completely free trade. I want to restrict trade with countries that are taking our jobs (China, Mexico, etc.) but free up trade with countries that aren’t taking our jobs (the United Kingdom, for example).
“It is a basic principle that those seeking to enter a country ought to be able to support themselves financially. Yet, in America, we do not enforce this rule, straining the very public resources that our poorest citizens rely upon. According to the National Academy of Sciences, our current immigration system costs America’s taxpayers many billions of dollars a year.”
Shorter Trump: I support high-skilled immigration. Maybe in an immigration compromise I’ll accept more high-skilled immigrants if it means I get a border wall and more deportations of illegal immigrants. Then we can spend more money on helping poor Americans.
“To launch our national rebuilding, I will be asking the Congress to approve legislation that produces a $1 trillion investment in the infrastructure of the United States — financed through both public and private capital — creating millions of new jobs. This effort will be guided by two core principles: Buy American, and Hire American.”
Shorter Trump: Remember when Obama did the stimulus and it didn’t work that well? We’re going to do that again, but it’s going to be bigger and better when I do it.
“I am calling on all Democrats and Republicans in the Congress to work with us to save Americans from this imploding Obamacare disaster.”
Shorter Trump: I know this won’t get a single Democratic vote, but I want to look like I’m bipartisan tonight.
“We should give our great state governors the resources and flexibility they need with Medicaid to make sure no one is left out.”
Shorter Trump: Medicaid block grants are coming!
“We should implement legal reforms that protect patients and doctors from unnecessary costs that drive up the price of insurance.”
Shorter Trump: Doctors get sued too often. We need to pass malpractice reforms so it’s harder to hold them liable.
“My administration wants to work with members in both parties to make childcare accessible and affordable, to help ensure new parents have paid family leave, to invest in women’s health, and to promote clean air and clear water.”
Shorter Trump: This is the part of my speech that Ivanka wrote. Just because she wrote it doesn’t mean I won’t do what she wants!
“I am calling upon Members of both parties to pass an education bill that funds school choice for disadvantaged youth, including millions of African-American and Latino children. These families should be free to choose the public, private, charter, magnet, religious or home school that is right for them.”
Shorter Trump: [If rumors are correct] I want to create a new federal tax credit for families who spend money on private school tuition or home-schooling expenses (among other possible school choice initiatives).
“Every American child should be able to grow up in a safe community, to attend a great school, and to have access to a high-paying job. But to create this future, we must work with, not against, the men and women of law enforcement.”
Shorter Trump: All lives matter. Also, blue lives matter.
“I have ordered the Department of Homeland Security to create an office to serve American Victims. The office is called VOICE – Victims Of Immigration Crime Engagement. We are providing a voice to those who have been ignored by our media, and silenced by special interests.”
Shorter Trump: We’re going to build a weekly list of crimes committed by (illegal?) immigrants and the victims of those crimes. This will make the country realize all the illegal immigrants are “bad hombres.”
“I am sending the Congress a budget that rebuilds the military, eliminates the Defense sequester, and calls for one of the largest increases in national defense spending in American history.”
Shorter Trump: I want a $54 billion increase in defense spending.
“I just spoke to General Mattis, who reconfirmed that, and I quote, ‘Ryan was a part of a highly successful raid that generated large amounts of vital intelligence that will lead to many more victories in the future against our enemies.'”
Shorter Trump: Remember that raid in Yemen that some people claim was “botched”? Actually, it went really well. U.S. Navy Special Operator, Senior Chief William Ryan Owens didn’t die in vain.
“American footprints on distant worlds are not too big a dream.”
Shorter Trump: Let’s send some people to the Moon. Maybe Mars?
“The time for trivial fights is behind us.”
Shorter Trump: I’m going to be presidential now. Stop trying to fight me over my tweets and Ivanka’s brand and let me have my way.
Jason Russell is the contributors editor for the Washington Examiner.
