What's Ahead for Trump's State of the Union Address?

As President Trump prepares to deliver his State of the Union address on Tuesday, a flurry of activities has been taking place in the nation's capital. Members of the US men's hockey team, fresh from their Olympic victory in Italy, will be in attendance at the Capitol in Washington, D.C. (Source 2). The team's appearance is a testament to the president's efforts to use the address to promote American achievements and patriotism.

Meanwhile, Democrats have chosen their "designated survivor" for the event. Rep. Mike Thompson (D-Calif.) will watch the speech from a secure, undisclosed location off campus from Capitol Hill, a tradition that ensures continuity of government in case of an emergency (Source 3). Thompson was chosen for the role by House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-N.Y.).

However, not all news related to the State of the Union address is positive. Former acting FBI Director Andrew McCabe has criticized FBI Director Kash Patel for celebrating with the US men's hockey team after their gold medal game victory at the Winter Olympics. McCabe told CNN's "The Lead" that Patel's appearance sends a "horrible message to the FBI rank and file" (Source 4).

In other news, President Trump has hinted that his State of the Union address will be a "long speech," potentially setting a new record (Source 5). The president is scheduled to take to the House floor at 9 p.m. EST for the prime-time address. While the exact length of the speech is unknown, Trump's previous addresses have been lengthy, and this one is expected to be no exception.

In a separate development, US military forces have boarded a third sanctioned oil tanker in the Indo-Pacific Command (IndoPaCom) region, which was tracked from the Caribbean to the Indian Ocean (Source 1). The vessel, named "Bertha," was sanctioned by the US government in December 2024 over its role in transporting oil. The incident highlights the ongoing efforts of the US military to enforce sanctions and maintain regional security.

As the State of the Union address approaches, Americans and the world at large will be watching closely to see what President Trump has to say. With a mix of sports, politics, and international developments, this year's address promises to be an eventful one.