ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT

Without mentioning Trump's name, Joe Kennedy delivered a searing critique of the administration and a unifying message for Democrats

Rep. Joe Kennedy delivered an impassioned Democratic response to President Donald Trump's State of the Union address on Tuesday night.

  • Rep. Joe Kennedy delivered an impassioned Democratic response to President Donald Trump's State of the Union address on Tuesday night.
  • The 37-year-old Massachusetts Democrat spent the first half of his speech criticizing Trump and the second half delivering a unifying message on behalf of his party.
  • "The strongest, richest, greatest nation in the world shouldn't leave anyone behind," he said.

"It would be easy to dismiss the past year as chaos. Partisanship. Politics. But it's far bigger than that," Kennedy said. "This administration isn't just targeting the laws that protect us — they are targeting the very idea that we are all worthy of protection."

"As if the mechanic in Pittsburgh and the teacher in Tulsa and the daycare worker in Birmingham are somehow bitter rivals, rather than mutual casualties of a system forcefully rigged for those at the top," he said.

Kennedy, who made his national debut with this speech, then pivoted to a unifying, positive Democratic message.

ADVERTISEMENT

"So here is the answer Democrats offer: we choose both," he said. "We fight for both. Because the strongest, richest, greatest nation in the world shouldn't leave anyone behind."

Kennedy mentioned a list of key Democratic priorities, including "

Addressing Dreamers — the 800,000 unauthorized immigrants who are protected from deportation by the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program — Kennedy briefly spoke in Spanish, which he is fluent in.

A Harvard Law graduate and former Peace Corps volunteer first elected in 2012, Kennedy is well-known among the party's grassroots for his viral YouTube and Facebook videos of his speeches and floor remarks. Inone such video, Kennedy called the GOP's efforts to repeal and replace Obamacare "an act of malice."

Without mentioning Trump's name, Kennedy called him a threat to the country, but ended on a hopeful note.

ADVERTISEMENT

"Bullies may land a punch. They might leave a mark," he said. "But they have never, not once, in the history of our United States, managed to match the strength and spirit of a people united in defense of their future."

JOIN OUR PULSE COMMUNITY!

Unblock notifications in browser settings.
ADVERTISEMENT

Eyewitness? Submit your stories now via social or:

Email: eyewitness@pulse.ng

Recommended articles

Here's everything to know about being a virgin on your wedding night

Here's everything to know about being a virgin on your wedding night

7 do's and don’ts of the Holy month of Ramadan

7 do's and don’ts of the Holy month of Ramadan

Top 5 sweetest celebrity mother-child relationships that stand out for us

Top 5 sweetest celebrity mother-child relationships that stand out for us

International Women's Day: 5 Nigerian female celebrities championing women’s rights

International Women's Day: 5 Nigerian female celebrities championing women’s rights

Top 5 female directors in Nollywood

Top 5 female directors in Nollywood

6 things that will break a Muslim's fast during Ramadan

6 things that will break a Muslim's fast during Ramadan

5 benefits of fasting during Ramadan

5 benefits of fasting during Ramadan

5 reasons Easter was more fun when we were children

5 reasons Easter was more fun when we were children

Dos and don’ts of supporting Muslims during Ramadan

Dos and don’ts of supporting Muslims during Ramadan

ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT