By Idaho GOP Chairwoman Dorothy Moon
President Trump has given many great speeches over the years, but this week’s State of the Union Address took the cake. Between honoring American heroes, reflecting on a year of tremendous progress, and calling out Democrats for their blatant hypocrisy, Donald Trump delivered a masterpiece on Tuesday night.
The president’s consistent message—just as it has been since the day he came down that golden escalator—was “America First.”
- Our foreign policy, including military action, should be focused on protecting the American people, not exporting democracy abroad.
- Our natural resources, including precious metals and oil, should be used for the benefit of the American people—not multinational corporations with little regard for our liberties.
- Government welfare—if it exists at all—should support Americans with genuine needs, not noncitizens who take advantage of our system and scam the American taxpayer.
Perhaps the most telling moment of the night came when President Trump asked those who believe the American government should serve the American people, rather than illegal aliens, to stand. Republicans stood for the American people, while Democrats remained seated, glowering.
It is fair to ask what the other party truly stands for. From my vantage point, their priorities appear to be open borders, harming children through abortion and transgender ideology, raising taxes on those who work to support those who do not, fostering a culture of victimhood, and endless hatred for America.
During his address, President Trump highlighted examples of American excellence. He honored the U.S. men’s hockey team for winning gold at the Winter Olympics and awarded goalie Connor Hellebuyck the Presidential Medal of Freedom. He presented U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. Andrew Wolfe, who was attacked on the streets of Washington, D.C., last year, with a Purple Heart. He also awarded the Legion of Merit to Scott Ruskan of the U.S. Coast Guard for rescuing 165 people during a devastating flood in Texas.
President Trump presented the Medal of Honor, our nation’s highest military award, to two extraordinary men:
Royce Williams served as a naval aviator in World War II, as well as in Korea and Vietnam. During a 1952 battle, Williams helped shoot down four enemy jets despite his own aircraft being riddled with bullets.
At age 100, Royce Williams attended the State of the Union Address, where First Lady Melania Trump presented him with the Medal of Honor.
U.S. Army Chief Warrant Officer Eric Slover piloted a Chinook helicopter during the daring raid to capture narco-dictator Nicolás Maduro. The aircraft came under heavy machine-gun fire, and Slover was shot four times in the leg and hip. Nevertheless, he managed not only to land the helicopter safely, but to position it so that his gunner could neutralize the threat.
On Tuesday night, Americans were presented with a vision of national greatness. Democrats can shout and scream all they want, but President Trump and the GOP are going to keep America great for generations to come.
About Dorothy Moon
Dorothy Moon was elected to serve as the chairwoman of the Idaho Republican Party in July of 2022, and reelected in 2024. Moon served three terms in the Idaho Legislature as State Representative for District 8. Moon’s career in public service has focused on the advancement of individual liberties and reducing the size and scope of government.
