President Donald Trump can be proud of his historic first 43 days inauguration, House Majority Whip Tom Emmer (R-MN) told Breitbart News in an exclusive interview.
Trump defended the “American Dream Update” in a joint speech to Congress Tuesday evening, with Emmer thinking Trump should be proactive in promoting his administration's early achievements.
“Trump is doing exactly what he was hired by 77 million people,” Emmer told Breitbart News Tuesday morning before Trump's speech. “You can watch his first 43 days and say, 'I made a promise, I kept my promise,' and he's doing it at a fierce pace. ”
Democrats who have not drifted their leaders since the November election Shellac have focused their attacks on Trump on Elon Musk and the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE). But these attacks have not resonated with the American people who have long focused on reducing spending and bureaucracy, Emmer said.
“America loves what he's doing,” Emmer said of Trump's doge work, pointing out that Democrats' focus on the issue exposes their incompetence.
“It's a broken party. They don't have a message. They don't have a leader. When you're literally fighting to protect waste, fraud and abuse, it's not a victory argument,” he told Breitbart News. “So you can talk about the assault of terror, everything they're trying to do on the other side, [but] I trust Americans. I think they showed you last November, they showed us all, they know what Donald Trump has to offer [Democrats] I'm saying that.
“So I think he's just keeping the course. Keep doing what he's doing.”
In December, all votes House Democrats supported the current spending level that Trump called to extend in an ongoing resolution, except for one vote “current” — except for the March 14 deadline. But now, Democrats are expected to oppose the extension of their overwhelmingly favored spending levels just three months ago.
Some Democrats are calling for the federal government to shut down to hamper the Trump administration.
“That's a shame,” Emmer said if Democrats force the government to close. “And if that were to happen, it would be a Democrat.”
Although House Republicans have a small margin, Emmer hopes Trump will get the support he needs in a CR that allows Republicans to focus on the budget settlement process.
“The president demanded a clean CR, and that's what we're trying to do,” he said. “And that doesn't mean that you can't continue negotiations on the spending process after that, right?”
While Republicans in Congress hold different points on the ideological spectrum, Emmer believes Trump's willingness to talk and listen to all Republican representatives about his effectiveness as he advances his agenda.
On Wednesday, Trump will visit Capitol Hill to discuss with a group of Republicans about the importance of CR to his legislative agenda.
“This president is talking to all of our members. So it's a very personal relationship between Donald J. Trump and the Republican representative of the home,” Emmer said. “He'll do that tomorrow. He'll do other people on the phone. He's very good at having these arguments, and it's not one-sided.
“Everyone thinks he's just telling someone what to do, and that's not the case at all. He takes feedback, then he responds and takes people where he needs it.”
But first, Trump makes his point directly to the American people through Congress. Emmer was scolded with reports that some Democrats might elicit antics to confuse Trump's speech.
“I hope everyone acts like an adult,” Emmer said. “America expects better, they deserve better, so if they're trying to pull kindergarten whatever it is, I think once again, it won't work for me.”
Trump's joint speech to Congress begins at 9pm from the House Chamber of Commerce.
Bradley Jaye is the Associate Politics Editor for Breitbart News. Follow him X/Twitter and Instagram @Bradleyajaye.
