In his address before a joint session of Congress Tuesday night, Donald Trump reminded millions of Americans why they voted for him. He also reminded the Left why he is president of the United States today.

His speech celebrated America. He offered an uplifting vision, one that puts our citizens first.

The president opened his address by mentioning Black History Month and condemning the recent spate of anti-Semitic incidents. Those remarks set the tone for a message based on unity and common values. On several occasions, President Trump appealed to the leadership of the Democrat Party for cooperation, but its disdain for him and the issues he championed was on display the whole evening.

President Trump’s guests were a war hero’s widow, families who have lost loved ones to violent illegal immigrants, those who overcame great odds and those who demonstrate the dignity of every human life.

The progressives, led by Democrat leaders, brought to the House chamber Tuesday night illegal immigrants and citizens from other nations. Their choice of honored guests was very telling, and the contrast could not have been more striking.

What happened to the Democrat Party that I knew growing up? It would have invited blue collar workers, police officers, veterans and teachers. But today’s so-called “progressives” are becoming caricatures of out-of-touch radicals.

Statements That Scare the Left

Here are a few of President Trump’s statements that were applauded by most Americans, except for the bitter leftists in the House chamber Tuesday night.

“The people turned out by the tens of millions, and they were all united by one very simple, but crucial demand: that America must put its own citizens first. Because only then, can we truly make America great again.”

“We’ve defended the borders of other nations, while leaving our own borders wide open, for anyone to cross — and for drugs to pour in at a now unprecedented rate.”

“We want all Americans to succeed — but that can’t happen in an environment of lawless chaos. We must restore integrity and the rule of law to our borders. For that reason, we will soon begin the construction of a great wall along our southern border.”

“Our obligation is to serve, protect, and defend the citizens of the United States. We are also taking strong measures to protect our Nation from Radical Islamic Terrorism.”

“Those given the high honor of admission to the United States should support this country and love its people and its values.”

“My job is not to represent the world. My job is to represent the United States of America.”

“Police and sheriffs are members of our community. They are friends and neighbors, they are mothers and fathers, sons and daughters — and they leave behind loved ones every day who worry whether or not they’ll come home safe and sound. We must support the incredible men and women of law enforcement.”

Most Emotional Moment

There were many emotional moments during the president’s address Tuesday night. One came when the president recognized Jamiel Shaw, whose son was executed by an illegal immigrant gang member.

Mr. Shaw has delivered powerful testimony before Congress. But in their hatred for Donald Trump, Democrats Tuesday night showed disdain for this African American man who lost his son because of the Left’s reckless open borders policies.

But the most moving moment of the night came when President Trump recognized Carryn Owens, the widow of Navy SEAL William “Ryan” Owens, who was killed during a raid in Yemen. Mrs. Owens was obviously still grieving the loss of her husband. She kept looking toward Heaven and saying, “I love you, baby.”

The chamber erupted in a record breaking standing ovation. Referring to that tremendous tribute, Trump went off script, saying, “Ryan is looking down right now, you know that, and I think he’s very happy because I think he just broke a record.”

By the way, there were multiple reports from credible sources that Rep. Keith Ellison (D-MN) did not stand during Tuesday night’s record breaking standing ovation that lasted several minutes in tribute to Ryan Owens and his grieving widow. We called Rep. Ellison’s office yesterday morning. It would not comment or provide a statement about this controversy.

Rep. Ellison’s past includes disturbing associations with the anti-Semite Louis Farrakhan and his Nation of Islam. Now it appears that Ellison has disrespected an American hero who lost his life fighting radical Islam.

I am calling on Rep. Ellison to resign both as deputy chairman of the Democrat National Committee and as a member of the United States Congress.

Reaction

By almost every account, President Trump’s speech was a grand slam home run. Even some of Trump’s most vociferous critics were impressed. For example:

Referring to Trump’s tribute to Ryan Owens, CNN’s Van Jones said, “He became president of the United States in that moment. Period. That was one of the most extraordinary moments you have ever seen in American politics. Period… If he finds a way to do that over and over again, he’s going to be there for eight years.”

MSNBC’s Rachel Maddow grudgingly conceded, “This will be a very well-received speech for Donald Trump.”

MSNBC’s Chris Matthews said, “I think this line of economic nationalism works. I think — left, right and center — I think people have a sense of righteous indignation… I thought it was a winner politically. I think it’s probably the reason he was elected in Michigan, Wisconsin, Pennsylvania and Ohio. It is winning the ticket. Economic nationalism.”

A snap poll by CNN confirmed the critics’ observations.

78% of those who watched President Trump’s address said they had a “positive” reaction to it, with 57% saying they had a “very positive” reaction.

69% said Trump’s policies would move the country in the right direction.

63% said Trump has the right priorities for the country.

69% said the president’s address made them feel “more optimistic” about the future of the country.

A final note. Any response to a presidential address like the State of the Union is always forgettable. But Tuesday night’s Democrat response was laughable.

I will give the Democrats this much: They obviously realized that Chuck Schumer and Nancy Pelosi shouldn’t be the face of party. So instead they turned to a former Democrat official from the American heartland, the ex-governor of my home state of Kentucky, Steve Beshear, who oddly referred to himself as a “proud Republican.” That may have been the only time Tuesday night that Democrats highlighted an American citizen.

By the way, Trump won Kentucky by 30 points!