Heralding a “new chapter of American greatness,” President Donald Trump stood before Congress for the first time and issued a broad call for creating new jobs, overhauling the nation’s healthcare system and significantly boosting military spending.
Striking an optimistic tone, Mr Trump declared “the time for small thinking is over”.
His address came at a pivotal moment for a new president elected on pledges to swiftly shake up Washington and follow through on the failed promises of career politicians.
Mr Trump’s opening weeks in office have been consumed by distractions and self-inflicted wounds, including the bungled rollout of a sweeping immigration and refugee executive order that was blocked by the courts.
Ahead of his signing of a revamped order, Mr Trump said, “those given the high honour of admission to the United States should support this country and love its people and its values”.
Mr Trump sent unexpectedly mixed messages on immigration, one of his signature campaign issues.
He pledged to vigorously target people living in the US illegally who “threaten our communities and prey on our citizens”.