President Donald Trump delivered his State of the Union address to a joint session of Congress in the U.S. Capitol House chamber in Washington, D.C., starting shortly before 1:45 AM UTC on February 25, 2026, highlighting one year of achievements including secured borders, economic transformation, and demands for restored Homeland Security funding, according to excerpts shared by journalists Kellie Meyer News and Chad Pergram on X within the 29-minute reporting window from 1:15:57 AM to 1:45:42 AM UTC. First Lady Melania Trump welcomed State of the Union guests to the White House, per the First Lady's Office X post, while House Speaker Mike Johnson walked toward the House chamber, as reported by Jake Sherman on X. The Artemis II astronaut crew, Johnson's previously announced guests, arrived in the chamber, according to Joe Khalil TV on X. Barron Trump was spotted at the event, per EricLDaugh's X post. US Park Police Bell 412EP helicopter N22PP provided overhead security, as noted by Borrowed7Time on X. Trump stated in excerpts, "Tonight, after just one year, I can say with dignity and pride that we have achieved a transformation like no one has ever seen before," and criticized Minnesota corruption alleging $19 billion pillaged by the Somali community from taxpayers, per Kellie Meyer News and Peter Doocy via Chad Pergram. He demanded full restoration of Department of Homeland Security funding, claiming Democrats cut it off, according to the excerpts. Rep. Brandon Gill previewed the address focusing on border security and historic low encounters. Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey attended in Washington to stand for due process and First Amendment principles but respected congressional boycotters, telling ABC on the sidelines, per Oren Oppenheim on X. Rep. Adam Schiff called for voting out the Republican majority to create a blue wave, according to Acyn's X post. Boycotters appeared at a counterprogramming event in frog costumes, as reported by the Washington Examiner via dcexaminer on X. These developments follow prior security arrivals of ATF bomb technicians and K-9 teams, military equipment, and guest announcements including Haley Robson and Andrew Kolvet, building anticipation for the address scheduled later on February 25, 2026.
