He called it "the great American comeback."
President Donald Trump delivered his third State of the Union address Tuesday in front of a deeply partisan and polarized Congress, a few weeks after being impeached by the House and a day before the Senate was set to vote on a likely acquittal.
The president spent some of his time highlighting his economic achievements and the record-low levels of unemployment, criticizing at the same time Barack Obama's policies.
"If we hadn't reversed the failed economic policies of the previous administration, the world would not now be witnessing this great economic success," the president said.
The president criticized New York's status as a "sanctuary city" limiting cooperation between the NYPD and immigration authorities.
He blamed that policy for the killing of a 92-year-old woman last month in Queens. The suspect is an undocumented immigrant.
"The killer had been previously arrested for assault, but under New York's sanctuary policies, he was set free," Trump said. "If the city had honored ICE's detainer request, his victim would still be alive today."
Trump also attacked Democrats' efforts to create a universal health care system in the country, and drew loud protests from Democratic congresswomen when talking about his plan to lower drug prices.
"We will never let socialism destroy American health care!" Trump said.
Among the president's guests was Juan Guaidó, who's seen by many democracies as the legitimate president of Venezuela, still effectively ruled by Nicolás Maduro. Applause for Guaidó was one of the very few bipartisan moments of the night.
"Maduro is an illegitimate ruler, a tyrant who brutalizes his people. But Maduro's grip of tyranny will be smashed and broken," the president said.
In an unusual moment during the speech, the president, with the assistance of the First Lady, presented Rush Limbaugh with the Presidential Medal of Freedom. The controversial conservative radio host announced on Monday that he's been diagnosed with advanced lung cancer.
At the end, in a sign of defiance, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi ripped her copy of the president's speech.
------
Looking for an easy way to learn about the issues affecting New York City?
Listen to our "Off Topic/On Politics" podcast: Apple Podcasts | Google Play | Spotify | iHeartRadio | Stitcher | RSS