President Donald Trump laid out for Congress and the American people his plans for the weeks and months ahead after a turbulent first few weeks in office. “America is back,” Trump declared. Trump has begun his joint congressional address to “USA! USA!” chants and talking about the first 43 days of his administration, which has been marked by a major effort at reshaping and downsizing the federal government led by billionaire Elon Musk, spats with America’s allies and economic uncertainties brought by new tariffs. Republicans are boisterous as President Donald Trump steps to the lectern in the House. The GOP lawmakers are jubilant, having won a trifecta of the White House, Senate and House in the elections. However, they also face a high-stakes task of delivering on Trump's agenda as well as avoiding a government shutdown later this month. His joint address to Congress is the latest marker in Trump’s takeover of the nation's capital, where the Republican-led House and Senate have done little to restrain the president as he and his allies work to slash the size of the federal government and remake America’s place in the world. House Democratic leaders had been urging their members to show restraint during Trump's speech. Rep. Al Green did not heed that at all. But after the early outburst, most Democrats in the chamber have been silently sitting, holding up small signs that protest Trump's policies and words. Trump's address is an opportunity for Democrats to find some footing in Washington after their election losses last year, but it is also showcasing a debate in the party over whether they should engage in disruptive protests against Trump or establish themselves as focused on governing.