State-of-the Union no Kumbaya Moment for Trump and the Democrats

Despite President Trump’s multiple calls for unity during his impressive State-of-the-Union address last night, it still seems to be the “same old, same old” from the left when it comes to border wall funding and the necessity of “partisan probes.”

The president’s appeals to the Democrats to end “partisan” probes into his White House, as well as his call for cooperation on border security to prevent another partial government shutdown, met, not surprisingly, with a less than warm response from the other side of the aisle. Soon after the speech, the push for unity quickly gave way to new rounds of typical Washington spite and vindictiveness.

“We Must Be United”

“An economic miracle is taking place in the United States — and the only thing that can stop it are foolish wars, politics or ridiculous partisan investigations,” Trump said Tuesday night, referring to investigations into alleged Russian interference in the 2016 election and Trump’s business dealings.

“If there is going to be peace and legislation, there cannot be war and investigation,” he went on to say. “It just doesn’t work that way! We must be united at home to defeat our adversaries abroad.”

That statement was met by a visible wince from House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif. It was one of many body signals which showed her distaste for Trump’s mostly positive messaging during the speech. Pelosi later issued a statement saying Trump had “threatened the United States Congress not to exercise its constitutional responsibility of oversight.”

On the morning of the day after the State-of-the-Union speech was given, Rep. Elijah Cummings, chairman of the House Oversight Committee, rejected the claim the investigations were partisan.

“We are doing what is demanded by the Constitution which is to be the check and balance on the executive branch. We’re sworn to do that. And we’re going to do that. So again, we’re going to address all the issues that we have to regard to investigations and at the same time making sure we take care of the American people.”

While Trump repeatedly pressed for unity in the speech itself, the president faced accusations from Democrats of undermining that message with fiery rhetoric and a continued push for a border wall the party opposes.

“Frankly, it reminded me of Richard Nixon’s last State of the Union address to a joint session of Congress,” Rep. Gerry Connolly, D-Va., told Politico on Tuesday. “It’s the same old same old coming from this White House and this president. So disappointing and inappropriate and, frankly, the worst of Richard Nixon.”

The government partially shut down at the end of last year because of a stalemate over Trump’s demand for $5.7 billion in funding for the wall. Trump temporarily ended the shutdown last month but has warned he could declare a national emergency if Democrats don’t play ball. In his address, he renewed his calls for a wall on the border, and for Democrats to lend their support.

In the SOTU Trump said, “Simply put, walls work, and walls save lives,” Trump said. “So let’s work together, compromise and reach a deal that will truly make America safe. … This is a smart, strategic, see-through steel barrier — not just a simple concrete wall.”

As expected, Democrats sloughed off such comments with the kind of disdain and disrespect they showed for the president throughout the night, this time by sitting on their hands, which should come as no surprise, because sitting on their hands and asses, while Americans suffer or are under threat, is what Democrats do best.

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