Michigan Sen. Elissa Slotkin Delivers Democrats’ Response to Trump’s Address, Calls for Bipartisanship and Stability
Michigan Sen. Elissa Slotkin acknowledged what she described as a “fraught election season” while delivering the Democratic rebuttal to President Donald Trump’s first address of his second term to a joint session of Congress.
Slotkin Introduces Herself to the Nation
“I won’t take it personally if you’ve never heard of me,” the first-term senator remarked at the start of her speech. She emphasized that while Americans want change, there is a responsible way to achieve it and a reckless way.
Slotkin, who previously served three terms in the House before her Senate victory in November, reflected on her career in national security. She recalled how witnessing the events of 9/11 while in New York City inspired her to pursue public service.
“I was recruited by the CIA and did three tours in Iraq alongside the military,” she said. “In between, I worked at the White House under President Bush and President Obama—two very different leaders who both believed America is exceptional.”
Economic Criticism: Inflation, Taxes, and Trade Wars
Slotkin criticized Trump’s economic policies, warning they would lead to rising costs for American families. “Premiums and prescriptions will cost more because the math on his proposals doesn’t work without going after your health care,” she argued.
She pointed to Trump’s proposed tax cuts, calling them a giveaway to billionaires. “President Trump is trying to deliver an unprecedented giveaway to his billionaire friends,” she said. “He’s looking for trillions of dollars, and to get it, he’s going to make you pay in every part of your life.”
She also highlighted concerns over Trump’s trade policies, particularly tariffs on allies like Canada, which she said would lead to higher costs for energy, lumber, and automobiles, hurting manufacturing and farmers.
Concerns Over Government Stability and Elon Musk’s Role
Slotkin took aim at what she called reckless governance, pointing to widespread firings within federal agencies. “The mindless firing of people who work to protect our nuclear weapons, keep our planes from crashing, and conduct the research that finds the cure for cancer—only to rehire them two days later. No CEO in America could do that without being summarily fired,” she said.
She also raised alarms about billionaire Elon Musk’s influence on federal decision-making, questioning the lack of oversight in his growing involvement. “Is there anyone in America who is comfortable with him and his gang of 20-year-olds using their own computer servers to poke through your tax returns, your health information, and your bank accounts?” she asked.
Border Security and Immigration Reform
Shifting to national security, Slotkin supported a strong border but called for broader immigration reform. “Every country deserves to know who and what is coming across its border. Period. Democrats and Republicans should all be for that,” she stated.
However, she argued that simply securing the border without addressing legal immigration pathways was inadequate. “We need a functional system, keyed to the needs of our economy, that allows vetted people to come and work here legally,” she said.
Foreign Policy and Trump’s Leadership Approach
Slotkin criticized Trump’s approach to international diplomacy, particularly his handling of U.S. alliances. She referenced his recent meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, calling it “not just a bad episode of reality TV,” but indicative of Trump’s transactional view of leadership.
“President Trump believes in cozying up to dictators like Vladimir Putin while kicking our friends, like Canada, in the teeth,” she said. “He sees American leadership as merely a series of real estate transactions.”
Slotkin invoked former President Ronald Reagan, a leader Trump frequently references, stating that Reagan would have handled U.S. foreign relations differently. “As a Cold War kid, I’m thankful it was Reagan and not Trump in office in the 1980s. Trump would have lost us the Cold War,” she said.
A Call to Action: Civic Engagement and Accountability
Slotkin concluded her speech by urging Americans to stay engaged in the political process. “Hold your elected officials, including me, accountable,” she said. “Watch how they vote. Go to town halls and demand they take action.”
She also encouraged grassroots activism, calling on viewers to focus on specific issues. “Pick just one issue you’re passionate about and engage. And doomscrolling doesn’t count,” she said.
The Democratic Strategy Moving Forward
Political analysts note that Slotkin’s speech was designed to position her as a rising star within the Democratic Party. Matt Grossman, a political scientist at Michigan State University, explained that rebuttals are often challenging, as they must match the grandeur of a presidential address while energizing the party’s base.
“Slotkin won an open seat in a state Trump carried. She positioned herself as someone who worked with presidents of both parties and prioritized national security,” Grossman said. “But with Democratic voters wanting an aggressive fight against Trump, walking that line will be a challenge.”
As Democrats strategize their response to Trump’s agenda, Slotkin’s speech signals a focus on economic security, national security, and government accountability as key battlegrounds for the party in the coming months.
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