Washington readies for Trump’s first State of the Union

WASHINGTON—President Donald Trump will take his turn at one of the most important acts of American political theater Tuesday night when he delivers his much-anticipated first State of the Union address. The prime-time speech to a joint session of Congress comes just after Trump’s one-year anniversary in office. The president likely will tout how well the economy has fared under his administration, especially after the tax overhaul Congress passed last month. He’s also expected to flesh out his priorities for a Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program fix and new border security measures. Ahead of the speech, the White House announced plans to unveil a multitrillion dollar infrastructure plan—with details expected in the next few weeks. Lawmakers on both sides see infrastructure as a rare bipartisan opportunity. “Democrats will watch the State of the Union hoping that President Trump will change course—by emphasizing the need for a major, direct federal investment in infrastructure,” Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., wrote in a Washington Post op-ed Tuesday. The minority party selected Rep. Joe Kennedy, D-Mass., to deliver the formal Democratic response immediately after Trump’s speech. At least 10 Democrats have chosen not to attend the president’s address, while at least 20 Democrats invited DACA recipients as their State of the Union guests. House Speaker Paul Ryan, R-Wis., invited Cathy Cenzon-DeCarlo, a New York nurse forced to assist with a late-term abortion in 2009.