Duluth, Minnesota (Northern News Now) After a contentious first six weeks in office, President Donald Trump will deliver a joint address to Congress on Tuesday night, highlighting actions taken over the last month and a half and outlining future plans.
Some Minnesota lawmakers are attending to celebrate the president’s first few weeks, while others are there to protest.
Trump is expected to speak about immigration, federal government cuts, tariffs on Canada, Mexico, and China, and the recent decision to halt military aid to Ukraine.
Democratic Senator Tina Smith is one of several members of Congress who intend to use their guest invitation to send a message.
She’s bringing Kate Severson, an International Falls-based Voyageurs National Park ranger who was fired as part of the federal government’s cuts.
Smith said she’s received over 100,000 emails and phone calls from Minnesotans upset about the cuts.
“Having Kate be a part of this joint address is a way of shining a light and helping to focus attention on the actual impact of these cuts on our communities in northern Minnesota,” Smith told the crowd.
Northland Republican Rep. Pete Stauber intends to show his support for the Trump administration by hosting Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth’s wife and Duluth native and hockey legend Phil Verchota as guests.
“I’m hoping to hear the president talk about his agenda that he promised the American people,” Stauber told reporters. “He’s going to talk about making America strong, prosperous, secure and putting the American people first.”
Stauber added that he believes Trump will use tariffs to prioritize the American people, citing steel tariffs from Trump’s first term that he claims kept the Iron Range open.
When asked about Trump’s decision to halt funding for Ukraine, Stauber said he trusts the president’s negotiations.
