Highlights from the State of the Union address
- President Joe Biden delivered an energetic State of the Union address, focusing on abortion rights, threats to democracy and the economy — while sparring with jeering Republicans.
- He didn’t mention former President Donald Trump by name, but the annual speech carries extra significance in an election year, and his frequent references to and contrasts with his “predecessor” were clear.
- The speech came just days after Biden and Trump appeared to lock up their respective parties’ nominations, setting them up for a rematch in November. Biden chatted and glad-handed with his supporters and delivered a fiery speech, in essence addressing critics who say he is too old for the job.
- Biden addressed the wars in Ukraine and the Middle East, affirming U.S. support for the former and announcing the construction of a new port in Gaza to allow humanitarian aid to reach the war-torn region.
- Republican Sen. Katie Britt of Alabama gave the GOP response, criticizing Biden's age and policies while striking a mournful tone, saying the American dream is currently "a nightmare."
Six key takeaways from Biden’s final State of the Union before the 2024 election
Biden delivered the final State of the Union of his first term tonight, a speech packed with 2024 campaign themes and contrasts he plans to highlight in the eight months before Americans decide whether to give him — or Trump — four more years in the White House.
Biden went into the speech with an exceptionally low approval rating of 37%, according to recent NBC News polling. That’s lower than the approval rating of his predecessors Trump in 2020 (46%), Barack Obama in 2012 (48%), George W. Bush in 2004 (54%) and Bill Clinton in 1996 (46%) in January of their re-election bid years.
“The state of our union is strong and getting stronger,” Biden said.
Here are six key takeaways from his speech.
Speaker Johnson 'disappointed' in 'hyperpartisan' speech
Speaker Johnson told reporters that Republicans were “disappointed” in the speech, calling it “completely hyperpartisan” and “a campaign speech, and a pretty vitriolic one at that.”
He also acknowledged that some people online were commenting on his facial expressions and said it was difficult to keep a poker face because he disagreed with so much of what Biden said.
On two notable departures from normal State of the Union procedure: Johnson said on Fox News that he was prepared to introduce the president ahead of the speech but that Biden "jumped the gun.” And he told NBC News that he adjourned the chamber before Biden left because the House was following its procedure to adjourn when the well is empty; Biden stayed long after the speech to chat with members on the floor. “It was no slight to the president at all. He had plenty of time to shake hands,” Johnson said.
Biden supporters in Pennsylvania praise his speech
Frank Mahoney, 33, who is the deputy political director for the Eastern Atlantic States Regional Council of Carpenters, which endorsed Biden, said it was "awesome ... to hear him talk about unions.”
Mahoney also said Biden had “a little pep in his step.”
“The old-school joke around Biden was there, and it was good to see that he is ready for this election,” Mahoney told NBC News.
Brian Kisielewski, 40, also thought it was a “strong speech.”
“This is a good opportunity for him to lay out what he wants to do and what he wants to say and how he wants to kind of accomplish things,” Kisielewski said. “It’s a good pitch to the American people, and I think he did a really good job.”
Kisielewski, who is an attorney, told NBC News he believes Biden is the best option to “keep our democracy in place.”
‘Wake up’: Biden delivers fiery State of the Union
Biden said he wanted to use his State of the Union to “wake up” Congress, but he was the one who seemed suddenly energized as he sparred with Republican hecklers and repeatedly criticized Trump.
Shaking off lackluster approval ratings and his own party’s anxiety about his political and physical health, Biden, 81, delivered one of the feistiest and most political presidential addresses to Congress in recent memory.
He referred to “my predecessor” 13 times, not saying Trump’s name once but making him a clear focus of his speech; shouted back at firebrand Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene, R-Ga.; and sarcastically mocked Republican lawmakers.
Biden has returned to the White House
The president arrived back at the White House shortly after 11:45 p.m., according to a pool report.
There was a huge crowd on the South Portico to greet Biden when he returned, they cheered as he got out of his vehicle, the report said. It appeared as though he stopped to speak to everyone before heading inside the residence.
Biden was fully inside the White House as of 11:54 p.m. ET.
State of the Union guest Steven Nikoui arrested for disrupting speech
U.S. Capitol Police confirmed to NBC News that Steven Nikoui, a guest at tonight's State of the Union address, was arrested for disrupting the speech.
"Our officers warned him to stop and when he did not, the man was removed from the House Galleries and was arrested," Capitol Police said. "Disrupting the Congress and demonstrating in the Congressional Buildings is illegal."
Nikoui is still being processed, but will be released "per normal procedure," according to the USCP.
Rep. Brian Mast, R-Fla., invited Nikoui, who is the father of one of the 13 U.S. service members killed in the attack on Abbey Gate during the U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan.
Biden heads back to the White House
The president's motorcade left the Capitol at 11:39 p.m. ET en route to the White House.