Trump Delivers Second State of The Union Address

International affairs took center stage during the State of the Union Address in Washington Tuesday.

U.S. President Trump briefly discussed the country’s hopes to introduce trade policies to bring more jobs and opportunities to the United States as well as strengthening border security. However he quickly segwayed to international politics.

The speech comes at the tail-end of a 35-day-shutdown over a disagreement with Congress. The government will shutdown again if the two fail to reach an agreement in the next 10 days.

Update: 10:25

Trump told the crowds, “Our approach is based on principle realism, not discredited theories that have failed for decades that have failed for decades to yield progress. For this reason, my administration recognized the true capital of Israel and proudly opened the American embassy in Jerusalem."

Venezuela reiterated its support for Palestine, as Arreaza tweeted, “One and a thousand times we express our support for the people and the State of Palestine. A people who fight, resist and conquer. Its capital is Jerusalem-Al Quds. #TrumpHandsOffVenezuela #TrumpLies.”

Update: 10:20

“We are alarmed by the new calls to adopt socialism in our country. America was founded on liberty and not government coercion, domination and control. We are born free and we will stay free...America will never be a socialist country.”

Venezuelan Foreign Minister Jorge Arreaza tweeted, “Listening today @realDonaldTrump is like listening to Nixon or McCarthy in the midst of the Cold War. It aims to impose unique thinking and force wild capitalism around the world. The people will prevent it. Equality and social justice will be imposed #TrumpHandsOffVenezuela.”

Update: 10:15

President Trump discusses the country's decision to recognize Jerusalem as Israel's capital. Negotiations are also being conducted in Afghanistan and with the Taliban in a move for peace. 

"It's time," Trump said.

Update: 10:10

“We stand with the Venezuelan people and their noble quest for freedom and we condemn the brutality of Maduro regime whose socialist policies have turned that nation from being the wealthiest country in South America into a state of abject poverty and despair.”

In response, Venezuelan Foreign Minister Jorge Arreaza denounced the billions of dollars in U.S. sanctions which aggravated the Bolivarian nation’s economic situation.

“Brutal are policies @realDonaldTrump against Venezuela. $1.4 billion for Venezuelan food and drugs have been blocked in by the US Treasury Department. Not to mention the blockade and persecution in the western #TrumpHandsOffVenezuela banking system,” Arreaza said.

Update: 10:05

Update: 10:00

Trump said he hopes Congress will pass the Reciprocal Trade Act which will essentially allow the U.S. confronted with “unfair tariffs” on American products from foreign powers can turn around and exact the same tariffs.

“I am asking Congress to take on the task to pass legislation that takes of global freeloading and delivers fairness and price transparency for Americans... We are getting foreign powers to pay their fair share,” the president said, adding that for years the U.S. was being treated "very unfairly."

Update: 9:50

“All Americans can be proud that we have more women in the workforce than ever before,” the president said.

"And exactly one century after Congress passed the constitutional amendment, giving women the right to vote, we also have more women serving in Congress than any time before," he said to the crowd of Congressional women standing in the crowd, dressed in white.

Update: 9:45

The President has sent 3,750 troops to prepare for caravans and secure "America's very dangerous southern border" from "ruthless coyotes, cartels, drug dealers, and human traffickers."

However, the majority of migrants seeking refuge in the United States are mothers, fathers, and children. Last week, news media outlets covered the death of yet another child at the hands of border patrol agents. The body of seven-year-old Guatemalan boy, Felipe Gomez Alonzo, was buried in a remote Indigenous community in Yalambojoch.

Update: 9:30

"An economic miracle is taking place in the United States and the only thing that can stop it is foolish wars, politics, or ridiculous partisan investigations," Trump said, referring not only to the allegations against the 2016 U.S. elections and Russian interference by also the recent sanctions imposed against Venezuela and President Nicolas Maduro.

U.S. National Security Adviser John Bolton who confessed in an interview with Fox News that the oil was the U.S.’s only reason behind supporting the coup led by Juan Guaido on Jan. 23 was in pursuit of the country’s reserves in oil.

Update: 9:20

Various tax cuts have been implemented, the president says, for lower class citizens.

Update: 9:15

Trump told the crowd that over the last two years, the United States's economy is considered the "hottest" in the world, while unemployment has seen all-time lows. 

Update: 8:50

The president is expected to discuss middle-class workers, national security, as well as improving infrastructure and lowering the cost of health care and prescription drugs.