WASHINGTON — The President’s State of the Union sparked praise from California Republicans and disappointment from Democrats.
The speech comes a day after the Iowa Caucus and a day before the Senate Trial ends with the acquittal of the president on two articles of impeachment.
"The state of our union is stronger than ever before,” said Trump during the address.
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But the speech proved to be partisan and the tension in the chambers was high. The president even took a swipe at California for having sanctuary cities.
“The president would rather beat up California than extend an arm and work with us on issues that are of mutual importance,” said Rep. Pete Aguilar, D-San Bernardino.
“Well the reality of it is, that the California economy is doing well, and California is continuing to have positive job growth and we are tackling a lot of the issues that the president talking about,” said Rep. Katie Porter, D-Irvine.
It wasn’t just the words but the actions. When the president walked in, the Speaker extended her hand for a handshake that the president did not take.
And at the end of the address, when the President wrapped up and the cameras were still rolling, you can see Speaker Nancy Pelosi tear up the speech. Republicans say that action was childish and undignified.
The House of Representatives was completely split. Republicans cheered for the president while Democrats sat and even sometimes protested.
“Should have delivered a speech that could unify Americans,” said Rep. Brad Sherman, D-Sherman Oaks. "Rather than one that was designed to be a Trump rally speech.”
“I was particularly struck by some of what the president said, the reality of what this administration has done simply doesn’t match the rhetoric that came from the president,” said Rep. Mike Levin, D-Dana Point.
Republicans on the other hand, like California House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy, are praising the president on a strong and triumphant speech.
McCarthy agreed with the president that sanctuary cities are a “violation of the rule of law.”
Republicans said the speech successfully reached out to all Americans on key issues like jobs, healthcare, and national security.
The speech fell on a busy week with the Iowa Caucus and the end to the Senate Trial, all of which brought forth aggressive, partisan rhetoric and actions from both sides of the aisle.
“He has been impeached, and he will be impeached forever,” said Rep. Norma Torres, D-Ontario. “But that should not stop him from being the grown-up in the room.”
“Well my thoughts are always with my constituents and with the American people,” said Rep. Raul Ruiz, D-Hemet. "So I want to make sure that we find solutions that will improve their lives. I considered the partisan, hyper-partisan dysfunction here as simply noise and I stay focused.”
The president weighed in on his speech too saying on Twitter: “It was a great and triumphant evening for our Country. Thank you for all of the nice remarks and wonderful reviews of my State of the Union Speech. It was my great honor to have done it!”
There are many positive headlines for this week for the president, from no results in the Iowa Caucus to impeachment acquittal, which could be giving the president a boost in his approval ratings, which the latest Gallup poll sits at 49 percent, a personal best for President Trump.
But California Democrats say the biggest problem right now isn’t the approval ratings, but rather the lack of legislative progress.
“I still have hope for the future,” said Just Chu, D-Pasadena. “I still think that there are so many needs in America and we must come together and work on them.
“I hope that after all of this is done, after Wednesday,” said Rep. Lou Correa, D-Santa Ana. “That he’ll wake up Thursday ready to look at those 200 plus bills that are sitting in the Senate and work with us.”
Rep. Tony Cardenas, D-Panorama City, agreed with Correa about the lack of progress in the Senate on bills the House has passed on an array of issues including election security and lowering the costs of drug prices.
“So what that tells you is we are getting the people’s work done, unfortunately, the president is just not cooperating,” said Cardenas.