Proclaiming “America is back,” President Donald Trump delivers an address to Congress where he touted his crackdown on illegal immigration, imposing tariffs and cutting government spending. And deadly storms, from tornadoes in the deep south to blizzard conditions in the midwest, a late winter barrage batters major parts of the country. These stories and more highlight your Unbiased Updates for Wednesday, March 5, 2025.

Trump vows to keep reshaping America in congressional address

In the longest joint address to Congress in history, President Donald Trump vowed to take “swift and unrelenting action” to reshape American policy. Trump emphasized his administration’s efforts to lower illegal border crossings, boost energy production and reduce government waste.

Trump focused on social issues, including banning transgender athletes from women’s and girls’ sports and ending diversity, equity and inclusion programs in the military.

The president also addressed the recent election, calling it a mandate from the American people to pass his agenda. He touched on tariffs, the border, cutting government fraud and waste, and lowering energy costs to help reduce inflation.

Within minutes, Trump declared that the momentum, spirit and confidence of America is back and that the country is on the verge of a comeback.

Democrats objected, and Rep. Al Green, D-Texas, interrupted the proceedings. After several warnings, Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., asked the sergeant-at-arms to remove Green from the chamber.

Johnson reminded lawmakers to follow proper decorum, and there were no other major disruptions following Green’s removal.

Straight Arrow news reporter Lauren Taylor has more highlights from Trump’s historic speech here.

Sen. Elissa Slotkin delivers Democratic response to Trump address

While they may not be as overt as Green, Democrats last night found other ways to oppose Trump’s administration. Many Democratic women wore bright pink as a show of defiance.

New Mexico’s Rep. Teresa Leger Fernández—who leads the Democratic Women’s Caucus—told Time magazine that the color represents “our protest of Trump’s policies, which are negatively impacting women and families.”

It was freshman Sen. Elissa Slotkin of Michigan who delivered the Democratic response to Trump’s address.

Slotkin emphasized the dissatisfaction among Americans with the economy, stating that Trump’s policies are not effectively addressing the issues.

“Americans made it clear that prices are too high and that the government needs to be more responsive to their needs,” Slotkin said. “America wants change, but there’s a responsible way to make change and a reckless way.”

“President Trump is trying to deliver an unprecedented giveaway to his billionaire friends. He’s on the hunt to find trillions of dollars to pass along to the wealthiest in America and to do that, he is going to make you pay in every part of your life. Grocery and home prices are going up, not down, and he hasn’t laid out a credible plan to deal with either of those. His tariffs on allies like Canada will raise prices on energy, lumber and cars and start a trade war that will hurt manufacturing and farmers. Your premiums and prescriptions will cost more because the math on his proposals doesn’t work without going after your health care.”

• Sen. Elissa Slotkin, D-Mich.

When it came to immigration, Slotkin struck a more moderate tone, acknowledging Americans have told pollsters they’re concerned about record illegal border crossings in recent years.

She said, “Every country deserves to know who and what is coming across its border. Period. Democrats and republicans should all be for that, but securing the border without actually fixing our broken immigration system is dealing with the symptom and not the disease.”

Slotkin also addressed the controversial role of Elon Musk and the Department of Government Efficiency.

“Is there anyone in America who is comfortable with him and his gang of 20-year-olds using their own computer servers to poke through your tax returns, your health information and your bank accounts? No oversight, no protections against cyberattacks, no guardrails on what they do with your private data.”

The Michigan senator ended the response by advocating for “engaged citizens and principled leaders.”

Ukraine willing to sign minerals deal, negotiate peace with Russia

During his address, Trump also expressed appreciation for Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, who is reportedly willing to sign a minerals deal with the U.S. and come to the negotiating table under Trump’s leadership to end the war with Russia.

Trump told Congress that the Ukrainian leader made the declaration in a letter to him on Tuesday.

Earlier in the day, Zelenskyy also posted on X, stating that Ukraine is ready to sign the deal and enter peace talks with Russia.

I would like to reiterate Ukraine’s commitment to peace.

None of us wants an endless war. Ukraine is ready to come to the negotiating table as soon as possible to bring lasting peace closer. Nobody wants peace more than Ukrainians. My team and I stand ready to work under…

— Volodymyr Zelenskyy / Володимир Зеленський (@ZelenskyyUa) March 4, 2025

He also labeled the contentious Oval Office meeting with Trump and Vice President JD Vance, which aired on national TV last week, as “regrettable.”

The minerals deal was on hold since that tense exchange.

Pentagon: DOGE found millions in funds to cut

As Trump’s Department of Government Efficiency continues its quest to reduce government spending, the Pentagon said DOGE has found tens of millions of dollars being wasted within the Department of Defense.

This comes as the Trump administration has released a list of several hundred federal buildings it plans to close or sell, including the FBI headquarters and the main Department of Justice building, stating they are “not core to government operations.”

It also comes as multiple news outlets reported that the Trump administration is drafting plans to cut the Internal Revenue Service’s workforce by half.

Sources familiar with the situation indicated it will be accomplished through a combination of layoffs, attrition and voluntary buyouts.

At least 2 killed after winter storms swept across US

According to reports, a tornado touched down in Irving, Texas, on Tuesday morning, March 4, with winds of up to 110 miles per hour.

It was part of a major winter storm system that swept through sections of the U.S. on Tuesday, bringing dust storms to the Southwest and blizzard conditions to the Midwest.

Mississippi Gov. Tate Reeves confirmed at least two deaths in the state due to the severe weather.

According to local reports, one person died as a result of a fallen power line, and another was killed when a tree fell on a car.

The severe weather also prompted officials in New Orleans to adjust some Mardi Gras events on Fat Tuesday.

Bald eagle nest cam goes viral as America anticipates third hatchling

Live camera footage of a bald eagle nest in Southern California has gone viral this week.

The California nonprofit Friends of Big Bear Valley has shared two 24/7 live streams of a bald eagle nest in the San Bernardino Mountains.

The nest is home to Jackie and Shadow, a pair of bald eagles that gained worldwide popularity in 2023 when the camera showed the couple with two eggs.

However, those eggs failed to hatch at the time.

But now, three years later, Jackie and Shadow have two new babies to care for, with a third on the way.