Michigan Senator Elissa Slotkin delivered a succinct Democratic response to President Trump’s joint address to Congress, cautioning that Mr. Trump has adopted “reckless” strategies for handling both the U.S. economy and international relations during the early weeks of his second term in office.
Below is the complete transcript of her remarks, which lasted just 10 minutes, in stark contrast to Mr. Trump’s speech that lasted an hour and 40 minutes:
Hello everyone. I’m Elissa Slotkin, and I am grateful for the chance to address you this evening. Since it’s late, I promise to keep this much shorter than what you just witnessed.
I understand if you’ve not heard of me — I’m the newly elected senator from Michigan, my home state. My commitment to public service has been lifelong, fueled by my experiences in New York City on September 11, 2001, when the twin towers fell. Even before the situation settled, I knew I wanted a life dedicated to national security.
My journey led me to the CIA, where I completed three tours in Iraq alongside our military. In between those tours, I served in the White House under both President Bush and President Obama, two very different leaders who nevertheless shared a belief in America’s exceptionalism.
That same spirit of patriotism can be felt here in Wyandotte, Michigan, where I stand tonight. This working-class community, located just south of Detroit, is where both President Trump and I had successes during the November elections. Many places like this still thrive across the U.S. — communities where hard work and adherence to the rules should lead to success and a brighter future for our children.
This reminds me of my childhood. My father was a lifelong Republican, and my mother was a lifelong Democrat, but our differing political affiliations never caused division — we shared values that transcended party lines.
We have just gone through a contentious election season, and Americans have made it clear that costs are too high and that government must be more responsive to their needs. There’s a desire for change, but it must be approached responsibly, without losing sight of our identity as a nation and a democracy.
That’s what I want to address tonight.
Whether you’re in Wyandotte or Wichita, most Americans hold three fundamental beliefs: The middle class is the backbone of our nation, strong national security is essential for our safety, and our democracy, no matter how messy, is unmatched and worth defending.
Let’s talk about the economy.
Michigan truly pioneered the middle class, showcasing the revolutionary belief that one could work in an auto plant and still afford the car they help to build. That is the very essence of the American Dream. To protect and expand the middle class, we must accomplish a few key tasks:
We need to lower the costs of essential items: groceries, housing, healthcare, and vehicles.
We must increase domestic production with good-paying, union jobs and relocate our supply chains from countries like China back to America.
We need to provide American businesses with the stability they require to invest in and create the jobs of the future.
Finally, we require a tax system that is equitable for individuals who aren’t billionaires.
President Trump may speak passionately about the economy, but it is crucial to scrutinize the details. So, do his plans genuinely benefit the average American?
Not even close.
President Trump is attempting an unprecedented giveaway to his wealthy donors, on the lookout for trillions to transfer to the richest Americans. In doing so, he will ultimately make you bear the cost in every aspect of your life.
Grocery and housing prices are on the rise, not decreasing, and he has failed to present a viable solution for these issues.
His tariffs on partners like Canada will increase costs for energy, lumber, and automobiles — sparking a trade war that will negatively impact both manufacturers and farmers.
Your healthcare expenses, including premiums and prescriptions, will increase because his plans do not add up without encroaching upon your healthcare benefits.
Meanwhile, the national debt continues to rise. If he doesn’t tread carefully, he may lead us directly into a recession.
Moreover, to finance his agenda, he may very well target your retirement — the Social Security, Medicare, and VA benefits that you have earned through hard work. The President claims he won’t make such cuts, but Elon Musk has referred to Social Security as “the biggest Ponzi scheme of all time.”
Speaking of Elon Musk, does anyone in America feel comfortable with him and his team of young interns having access to your tax records, health information, and banking details without oversight, protections against cyber-attacks, or guidelines on handling your private data? We need more efficient governance. If you wish to cut waste, I’ll support you. However, change doesn’t have to be chaotic or compromise our safety.
The reckless firing of personnel responsible for upholding our nuclear security, preventing aircraft from crashing, and conducting crucial research — only to rehire them two days later? No CEO in America could survive that without facing termination.
Now that we’ve discussed economic security, let’s shift to national security.
Let’s begin with the border. As a person who has dedicated my career to safeguarding our homeland, every nation has the right to know who and what crosses its borders. Both Democrats and Republicans should support this principle.
However, securing the border without addressing our flawed immigration system merely treats the symptoms, not the underlying issues. America is a nation built by immigrants. We need a system that functions, tailored to our economic needs, allowing vetted individuals to come here to work legally. I look forward to hearing the President’s plan on that.
Today’s world is intricately interconnected. Migration, cyber threats, AI, environmental challenges, and terrorism are issues no single nation can tackle alone. We require allies around the globe — and our security is intertwined with theirs.
President Trump frequently touts “peace through strength,” a phrase borrowed from Ronald Reagan. However, after witnessing the recent events in the Oval Office, I can say that Reagan must be turning in his grave. We all aspire to see an end to the conflict in Ukraine, but Reagan understood that true strength involves combining our military and economic power with moral clarity.
The scene in the Oval Office was not just another bad reality TV moment; it encapsulated Trump’s entire worldview. He appears to prefer forming alliances with dictators like Vladimir Putin while alienating our allies, including Canada. He views American leadership as merely transactional.
As someone who grew up during the Cold War, I’m grateful that it was Reagan, not Trump, at the helm during those years. Trump would have cost us the Cold War.
Donald Trump’s actions imply that, deep down, he doesn’t believe in America’s exceptional nature. He evidently doesn’t think we should be taking the lead globally.
America might not be flawless, but I stand firm with the majority of Americans who still consider us exceptional. We are unparalleled, and I would choose American leadership over Chinese or Russian governance any day of the week.
For generations, America has provided something greater.
Our security and prosperity, yes. But our democracy and the very essence of our governance have inspired the world. Right now, that democracy is under threat.
It is in danger when a president feels entitled to selective adherence to the rules, dismisses court orders, or even the Constitution, and when elected representatives passively allow it to occur.
It’s equally at risk when the President divides Americans, vilifies those who are different, and tells people they shouldn’t be included.
America is more than just a stretch of land between two oceans. We are a community built on rights secured over generations through struggle. Those rights and our dedication to preserving them define who we are.
We are a nation of dreamers, risk-takers, and innovators, always pushing for more.
This is our superpower.
Having lived and worked in various countries, I’ve witnessed the dimming of democracies. I’ve experienced life under a corrupt government where starting a business necessitates bribing officials, and where speaking out against power imposes a grave risk.
As much as we must work to make our government responsive to our current realities, let us not forget the precious nature of democracy that is worth preserving.
But how do we safeguard it? I know many of you wonder about this.
First, don’t disconnect. It’s easy to feel worn out, but our country needs your engagement now more than ever. If past generations had not stood up for democracy, imagine where we would be today.
Second, hold your elected officials accountable, myself included. Monitor their votes. Attend town hall meetings and demand action. That’s as American as it gets.
Third, get organized. Choose one issue you are passionate about — and get involved. Doom scrolling is not sufficient; join a group that aligns with your values, or if one doesn’t exist, consider starting one.
Some of the most impactful movements in our history have arisen from grassroots efforts.
In conclusion, we all recognize that our nation is experiencing significant challenges. We may be uncertain about what tomorrow holds, much less the next decade.
This is not the first instance of profound upheaval in our country. I have studied history, and we’ve endured political instability before. Ultimately, we have opted to continue evolving this nation for the better.
However, we’ve prevailed through such periods due to two essential factors: actively engaged citizens and principled leaders.
Engaged citizens who exceed their usual efforts to fight for their beliefs. And principled leaders who are prepared to act responsibly and effectively.
Thank you for caring about your country tonight. By watching, you display your engagement as citizens. I assure you that my fellow Democrats and I will strive to be the principled leaders you deserve.
Goodnight, everyone.
