WASHINGTON - President Donald Trump is set to deliver a speech to Congress on Tuesday night amid growing concerns over his expansive use of executive power during his first month back in office in 2025.

The Republican president, who now enjoys unified GOP control of Congress, has taken dramatic steps to reshape the federal government, including firing thousands of federal workers and closing multiple agencies [1]. These actions have sparked over 100 legal challenges questioning their constitutionality.

Two critical deadlines loom: government funding expires March 14, and Congress must act to prevent a debt default. Trump needs legislative cooperation despite his unilateral approach to governance [1,2].

House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA) has aligned himself with Trump's agenda, particularly on government downsizing. 'The president is doing what he said on the campaign trail he would do,' Johnson stated on Fox News [1].

Key policy battles ahead include:

Extension of 2017 tax breaks, coupled with Republican demands for $2 trillion in budget cutsFunding for what Trump calls 'the biggest deportation operation in U.S. history'Challenges to the Nixon-era Impoundment Control Act regarding executive spending authority

Democrats, now in the minority, are mounting resistance through legal challenges and legislation. House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries characterized Trump's actions as a 'parade of horribles' but confirmed Democrats will attend the speech rather than boycott [3].

The address will take place in the same chamber where the January 6, 2021 riot occurred. Trump recently pardoned participants in those events, including convicted sedition leaders Stuart Rhodes and Enrique Tarrio [1].