HOSNI MUBARAK IS FINALLY DEAD: SIMPLY WONDROUS.

ICHEOKU says definitely an end of era for one of Africa's longest lasting dictator. Pharaoh President of Egypt Hosni Mubarak has assumed room temperature, he was 91 years old and died of complications from surgery and other related infirmities of old age. He was a brute who earned his pips propagating Islam in Africa and the Middle East region by killing Christians. 

As a fighter pilot, he flew so many sorties for muslim Northern Nigeria against Southeastern Nigeria during the Biafran war, bombed churches, schools, markets and strafed women and children indiscriminately. Hosni Mubarak was instrumental to the high casualty figure of the Nigerian Biafran war which was suffered by the people of Biafra, who must be celebrating his death as a matter of course. 

As a maximum leader of Egypt, he managed to con the West, particularly America, into tolerating his merciless zero tolerance reign over Egypt and for over three decades, while he killed, maimed and destroyed Egyptians under the guise of fighting terrorism. He was equally very corrupt. Anyway, his end finally came and except for his minions and those who personally benefitted from his reign of terror, he shall not be missed. 

With Zimbabwe's Robert Mugabe already gone and now Hosni Mubarak, that leaves Cameroon's Paul Biya as Africa's remaining entrenched maximum dictator and hopefully, he too shall make his exit soon. What a blood sucking vampiric humanoid Hosni Mubarak was that deservedly met his end, admitted at a rather ripe old age, an opportunity he never accorded those who crossed him. ICHEOKU says may that chapter of African dictatorship now rest. Rot in hell Hosni.

KATHERINE JOHNSON: PIONEERING NASA MATHEMATICIAN, DEAD AT 101.

ICHEOKU says why she was not celebrated more while she lived is simply inexplicable as many did not hear about her accomplishments until she passed away. 

Katherine Johnson, a trailblazing NASA mathematician, who calculated rocket trajectories and earth orbits for space missions and was later the subject of the 2016 movie “Hidden Figures,” is died. 

Katherine Johnson, popularly known as NASA's human computer, died of old age related natural causes. She was 101 years old. ICHEOKU says adieu Madam Computer. Rest in peace.

MICHEAL AVENATTI IS NOW A CONVICT AND HEADED TO PRISON.

ICHEOKU says desperate times called for desperate actions including trying to extort Nike of about $25 million to use part of it to pay off his $11 million debt. What he did to amass such enormous debt, a definition of profligacy on steroids, is simply beyond ICHEOKU.  Now his life on a very fast lane has landed him in big trouble, crashed with no survivors. 

The Stormy Daniels notorious creepy porn lawyer was convicted on the three counts felonies of extortion  transmission of interstate communication with intent to extort and wire fraud. He will be sentenced to prison on June 17, probably for a long term that might see him leave prison horizontally in a pine box coffin, except the judge shows some leniency with a reduced term. 

A life of pure greed, living a lifestyle beyond his means and as is always with such, has now dealt him a very hard blow knockout. That he took on the most powerful man in the world, President Donald John Trump, left many wondering what has gotten over him not to know what reasonable boundaries are. He overreached and over extended himself and did himself in. His equally notorious client, sex work Stormy Daniels, said that Michael Avenatti was "arrogant, fraudulent and overtly aggressive." 

In her own words, Stormy Daniels, "Sadly, it appears what Michael Avenatti did to me was just the tip of an iceberg of deceit. I am not surprised his dishonesty has been revealed on a grand scale. His arrogant, fraudulent and overly aggressive behavior became so pervasive that the jury found his true character. Although clearly a just result, I do feel sad for his children and foolish for believing his lies for so long.” 

ICHEOKU says agrees that arrogance was what led him into the current pickle. Just listen to him in the extortion attempt of Nike, “I’m not fucking around with this, and I’m not continuing to play games. You guys know enough now to know you’ve got a serious problem. And it’s worth more in exposure to me to just blow the lid on this thing. A few million dollars doesn’t move the needle for me.” Now you know why the prosecutor had this to say about him, “While the defendant may have tried to hide behind legal terms and a suit and tie, the jury clearly saw the defendant’s scheme for what it was — an old fashioned shakedown.” 

His victim Nike added, “The verdict speaks volumes. We thank the jurors for their time and service which is the bedrock of the American judicial system.” His defense lawyer said Michael Avenatti plans to appeal the verdict, adding, “I think he’s in a bit of a state of shock, but he’s a fighter, as you all know, and he’s staying strong." 

ICHEOKU says regardless of how the appeal goes, what is important is that another antagonist of the president named Michael has been put away because of his acts of betrayal of trust and confidence and a breach of a sacred duty of care. The other Michael, Michael Cohen is still in serving prison sentence which his betrayal of the president exposed him to. He joined the conspiracy to bring the president down and in the process brought himself down, convicted and jailed for similar fraudulent activities and lying to Congress. 

The fate of the two Michaels is a testament to what happens to betrayers, who are seeking to cash in on the misfortunes of others. Michael Cohen went rogue against his client the president; a man who adopted him and made him who he is. But sadly, the president found out, that as with whores, trusting snitches is a bad idea. The reason they get stitches instead. ICHEOKU hopes  that he can have some serious introspection on the lifestyle which he chose which led him to this bitter end. Hopefully too, he will churn things around in his mind to ask if they were really worth it. Anyway, a good riddance.

NANCY PELOSI: THE GODMOTHER OF ANTIFA, LEADS BY EXAMPLE.

ICHEOKU says Madam Speaker Nancy Pelosi is definitely leading by example, no wonder her ANTIFA is as destructive as she is, they learned it from their Madam. The other time, during the previous State of the Union address, it was her girlie mocking-clapping for the president and this time, she took it a notch, completely lost her mind by rearing the House of Representatives copy of the State of the Union address. 

If Madam Speaker Nancy Pelosi could be this publicly crazy, imagine what her spouse goes through behind the closed door of their dwelling whenever she is ticked off. She is so irate and does not know how to control her anger, what a woman. She is indeed menopausal and hot flashes crazy. It is stunt like this that has made it impossible for American people to trust a woman with the Commander in Chief position in the country, afraid that they don't know how to control their rage and can in a feat of fury, do some irrational and unpardonable things such as nuking any country that makes them mad enough to lose their bearing. The president refused to shake her hand and this was her reaction, tearing a copy of the State of the Union address that belong to the House of Representatives. Now, what are they going to archive? 

Shake her hand for what? So what if the president did not shake her contemptible hand which wielded the gavel of impeachment and pronounced the president impeached, without any impeachable offense nor due process. Why would the president shake such a filthy hand, to commend her for carrying out an unsuccessful coup against the president? In some third world countries where failed coup is punished severely, her head would have since been separated from her shoulders or crushed or riddled with bullets and her body dissolved in sulphuric acid and poured into an unmarked grave. But thankfully it is still America where the Constitution protects her, as well immunity and freedom of speech combined, and she is still lashing out by displaying such an asinine temper tantrum. 

A very petulant act and she is still the Speaker of the House of Representatives. What then is expected of her underlings, if she could descend into such a gutter of idiotic imbecility and in the full glare of the world. What did she achieve by doing that? She did not stop the president from completing his address to the nation and satisfied citizens reacted kindly to his beautifully, well crafted perfect speech. American people have already heard their president speak to them and they were completely, totally satisfied. 

If indeed Madam Speaker Nancy Pelosi wanted to make an impact, she would have disinvited the president from presenting the State of the Union address  or simultaneously disrupted the president as he spoke, shouting him down. But to wait until after the speech was over to stage her mean gal act is so condescendingly petty, that she lost all credibility in claiming that she does not hate the president. 

ICHEOKU says is not necessarily surprised that she striped her mask in this fashion. Her wing of the Democratic Party dwells in absolutism and it is usually their way or the highway. A very intolerant group of trouble makers who expects you to nod to their viewpoint but not to contradict them or even offer your own opinion. They have zero tolerance for contrarians. Anyone who is surprised about what Madam Speaker Nancy Pelosi did has never tried to engage any San Francisco liberal in a political discuss. They have no accommodation for any divergent opinion, especially in matters concerning President Donald John Trump who they hate with passion. 

Sometimes even bringing up the president's name in a conversation is considered a conversation killer, a mood killer and they will ask you why you ruined their day by mentioning the president's name. Madam Pelosi is just one of them and she has the same hate-filled feelings about the president, only that she puts a poker face about it publicly, while internally combusting with her repulsion of the president. At the State of the Union address, Madam Speaker Nancy Pelosi couldn't maintain her usual act as her mask finally fell off to reveal the ANTIFA radical she really is. Now you know why ANTIFA destroys things, they learned it from their mad Madam; exactly why the president calls her Crazy Nancy. 

What a contrived woman who whenever her lips moves lies. She said that she did not go in there to tear the speech but pre-tear rips were present on the papers as the president spoke. She said that she did not care the president shunned her by refusing t shake her witchery hand, yet her eyes rolled and her face contorted in anger when her stretched hand was rebuffed. She said that she is a speed reader and went through the speech when she should have been listening as the president delivered the speech. The copy of the  SOU which the president gave her was meant for the House of Representatives and not her personal capacity and she should have concentrated in listening and not distracted reading. As it turned out, she was never reading the speech but arranging the papers and pre-tearing their edges, preparatory to the drama which she put up at the end of the president's speech. 

So, if she knew the speech was a pack of lies and wanted to wait to know how it ended, how did it end to warrant the tearing of the copy of the speech which was not her personal property but given to her on behalf of the House. How did the speech end that made her lose her sanity to descend into such a sewer of rabidity. If she could stoop so low to be this crass, angry and mad as well as insane all at the same time, what does she expect her junior Congressmen and women who look up to her for leadership to do. 

Why must Madam Speaker Nancy Pelosi always pander to her San Francisco lunatic base at the detriment of the rest of the country? If the president was selling a bill of goods like a snake oil salesman, was tearing the speech the best way to respond or retort him? The purpose for which the opposition party normally gives a response to a president's State of the Union address is to counter the president, so why not use that. 

Madam Speaker Nancy Pelosi also said that she could not let it stand and you wonder why she did not stand up and shout the president down as he spoke. Why did she even not cancel the invitation to the president to deliver the address. Why did she wait until the president have finish delivering his beautiful State of the Union address before losing her sanity. She could have mouthed or even shouted "Not True" to the president as he delivered the address, afterall Justice Alito once did it to President Barack Obama as he gave his State of the Union speech. A Congressman also once shouted "You Lie" to President Barack Obama as he gave a State of the Union speech, so why did Nancy Pelosi not shout the president down but chose to tear archival document which does not belong to her as a way of protesting the president. 

If the address is a manifesto of untruths, which part of it was or was it all of them, including the Tuskegee airman, his great grandson, the scholarship girl, the soldier joining his family, the brother of the guy that was killed by illegal migrant, the fact of America's strong economy, the killing of ISIS leader Abu al Baghdadi, Iranian Soleiman being a bad hombre, America winning again or USMCA is now a fact of reality. Which part of the State of the Union is a manifesto of untruths that warranted it's being torn by Madam Speaker Nancy Pelosi. Since she claimed to be a fast reader and read through all the speech, was she able to separate the truths and untruths and spared the truths from her ripping fingers. If Madam Speaker Nancy Pelosi said that tearing the speech was the courteous thing to do considering the alternatives, was she planning to do harm to the president but settled for the lesser evil? 

ICHEOKU says nothing should warrant the low stoop undertaken by someone occupying such a high placed office in the land, third in succession hierarchy in the government. It only showed her as a very angry, sad, bitchy, crazed out, wild eyed, feminist anarchist, who teaches her ANITFA followers how to misbehave. What type of leadership is she providing by behaving so badly, so rudely and so unruly. If she could put this much display publicly, imagine what a miserable life anyone in her private quarters is forced to live with, all in the name of her absolutism, you must agree with me or you are toast. ICHEOKU says Madam Nancy Pelosi has written the final chapter of her political life as she will forever be remembered as a State of the Union speech reaper. What a woman.

ELIZABETH WARREN: WHY SHE LOST HER MOMENTUM.

ICHEOKU says the once very promising candidacy of Elizabeth Warren took a nose dive, plunging from the candidate to beat, to now, a third and sometimes fourth placed candidate in the Democratic Party presidential primaries. A self inflicted injury one would say, because Elizabeth Warren suddenly morphed into a men hating mean gal. She started presenting herself as another nasty woman, following the other two embodiments of nastiness, Hillary Clinton and Nancy Pelosi. 

Queen Crooked Hillary Clinton is still protesting an election which she lost more than three years ago; while Madam Speaker Nancy Pelosi misuse of her power as Speaker of the House of Representatives, carrying out a vindictive rushed impeachment of a president, boiled over with her tearing of the House's copy of the State of the Union speech.  So, American people, particularly males, who were still trying to fathom what drove Hillary and Nancy unto such power-tripping breaking of the rules if it doesn't suit them, were taken aback when Elizabeth Warren started making her campaign all about gender. 

She went from being an all American gal presidential candidate wannabe, to an anti male, crazed out, wild eyed, feminist candidate extraordinaire, who is seeking revenge against American men, particularly white men. A previously female presidential candidate who changed into a presidential candidate who is a female and for females only; constantly bashing and chastising American men as if she is not married to one, does not have brothers who are men and a father who is also a  man. The men of America took notice and responded accordingly by backing away from her campaign. They dropped her like a hot potato and unfortunately for her, there are not enough men hating, crazed out, wild eyed feminists in America to buoy her campaign and keep it afloat. 

Elizabeth Warren took her feminist ideology on a hyper loop, directly and openly appealing to transgenders and other feminists females of America, including saying that a nine year old transgendered child shall pick her Education Secretary. She also said that she will embark on an annual ritual in the White House of reading out the names of murdered transgenders in the Rose Garden. ICHEOKU says how about hundreds of other gendered murdered Americans; who will read their own names in the Rose Garden or does their lives not matter? If this is not official discrimination, what else qualifies? This is a president wanna be and such idiocy is what she feels is so significant and most important to the American people. It reminded ICHEOKU of the then President Barack Obama's needless distraction with bathroom laws and you wonder how any serious person who is seeking the highest office in the land could be this distracted and disconnected with the wishes of the American majority. It is simply dumbfounding. 

Elizabeth Warren seemingly forgot that it takes the wishes of the majority to win an election and that this very infinitesimal minority group she is latching unto is not the majority of America's voting bloc. They are rather too insignificant in the weighted blocs to sway the election and a thoughtful objective candidate ought to have known this and consigned them to the footnote instead of the main page in which she had placed them. As such absurdity was not enough to ruin a campaign, Elizabeth Warren ratcheted her attacks on men, especially white men; and at any given campaign stop or interview, whenever the opportunity presented itself, derided, berated and antagonized men as the root of all evil in America. If this is not sexist, what else meets the definition or is sexism only when a male discriminates against and/or attacks females. 

ICHEOKU says most decent women do not attack men with such a reckless abandonment,  away that it will come back to bite you. She was spewing inanities against men, while mothers, wives, sisters, aunties and girlfriends of men listened to her drivel, wondering what a loose cannon this woman is who would go this ballistic against their beloved ones.   Women do not generally take kindly to attacks on the men in their lives, especially by  other women and will go out of their way to defend their honor. With the attacks on men, Elizabeth Warren came across as unruly, uncontrollable and someone who wears the pants suit in her home. But American people would rather she kept her dominatrix credential  within her home and not take it out on all the men in America. As a result, scared of her unruliness, American men responded in kind by abandoning her wagon to the White House, resulting in the loss of traction by her presidential campaign. 

Elizabeth Warren botched her nearly closed deal to do what Queen Crooked Hillary Clinton could not do, becoming the first woman to in fact break the proverbial marble ceiling by taking up residence in the White House. American people were scandalized when Queen Crooked Hillary Clinton refused to accept her defeat in the 2016 presidential election and still protesting her loss till date, claiming that she won the election but that it was stolen from her by President Donald John Trump. A woman who before the election had constantly complained that then Republican presidential candidate Donald John Trump was threatening democracy by saying that he will not accept the election result if it was rigged. But regrettably, the same preachy Pharisee is the one who is trying to torpedo America's democracy with her constant whining and bemoaning of her defeat, and  that the election was stolen. 

When American people were thinking that Hillary Clinton's craziness was a one off thing by a woman who was defeated in a presidential candidate, protesting an election which she lost and complaining that the Electoral College system should be changed to a popular votes system; then enter Madam Speaker Nancy Pelosi, another crazed out, wild eyed, feminist from the hotbed of agitation San Francisco, who changed the rules of impeachment just to impeach the president. She impeached the president for a matter which is not a crime nor within offenses contemplated in the impeachment provisions of the Constitution. But instead of transferring the Articles of Impeachment to the Senate as required by the Constitution, held it hostage for nearly one month, demanding that the Senate comply to her dictates or there will be no deal. 

Like Hillary Clinton, Madam Speaker Nancy Pelosi ignored all pre-existing rules and precedents on impeachment. Their reasoning apparently is that as women, they reserve the right to change their minds any time, change the rules of engagement any time, regardless of any existing rules which should guide their conducts and actions. American men were watching as these two women got really nasty, making the rules up as they went and got spoofed, scared stiff in what additional power could turn women into. They became wary of women's bad intentions with the power which they seek and concluded that it is too risky a proposition to sign unto yet another woman seeking power simply  because of self preservation. Elizabeth Warren scared away American men, who have seen what Hillary Clinton and Nancy Pelosi did with powers, were no longer comfortable with allowing another anti men power crazy feminist near the levers of power. 

ICHEOKU says when you are seeking power and alienates nearly half of the population of the country, your chances of ever getting power becomes drastically diminished. Elizabeth Warren is a victim of lack of trust of American men that a woman entrusted with power of the highest political office in the land will not victimize them and arbitrarily wield such power only for vendetta. Two women were tested with power, Queen Crooked Hillary Clinton and Madam Speaker Nancy Pelosi, and they used it to the wrong end. If these women could be this obsessed with the powers they were given, imagine what another woman would do with the power of a Commander in Chief. 

Why these crazed out, wild eyed, feminists females of America are so angry at men is beyond ICHEOKU's fathoming, admitted there were some historical issues of inequality that existed but should this justify the continuous hatred for men by these women. Every one of them you turn to, she is angry and agitating against men and nobody walks into a pit of fire, clear eyed. American men are scared of what Elizabeth Warren would do to them with power, if given; and they took the short cut out of not finding out by not giving it to her. 

In addition, Elizabeth Warren had taken some inconsistent and incoherent policy positions, including her dubiousness about how she will pay for her free healthcare for all. She also looks overly coached and merely role playing, such that she comes across as a phony. She is also hypocritical which Mayor Peter Buttiegieg pointed out with her double standards condemnation of him for the same thing which she previously did, fund raising for campaign from billionaires. That she refused to shake Bernie Sanders hand during the other debate was a negative for her too, as politics is like sports and should not be with bitterness. 

Anyway, Queen Crooked Hillary Clinton and Madam Speaker Nancy Pelosi have ruined it all for every woman seeking power. They have scared away American men, such that they have dimmed by decades, the chances of ever electing a woman president of the United States of America. This created lack of trust is a big barrier to overcome and even their fellow women do not trust them. Women also sometimes, actively work to sabotage and undermine each other; a case in point being AOC's not endorsing fellow women who are trying to improve it all for every woman in America including AOC. But at the end, attacking people, especially when it Is gender based, has once again proved to be an albatross for Elizabeth Warren. It also did Kamala Harris in. So sad.

DR LI WENILANG: THE FACE OF CORONAVIRUS, WHAT WILL IT TAKE?

ICHEOKU says what will it take for the Communist Party of China's leadership to admit that they are losing the war on Coronavirus and accept much needed help from countries with proven credentials in dealing with such killer biological outbreaks. Even Nigeria once successfully stopped Ebola virus from wrecking havoc in the most populous West African country. President Donald John Trump has successively offered the Chinese authorities help with American expertise, including  virus hunters as well as doctors and medications, but pride of a nation has made President Xi Jinping unable to accept it. 

ICHEOKU says what will it take or is President Xi Jinping waiting until thousands of his Chinese people perish and hundreds of thousands of then get infected and their economy taken down before belatedly accepting the help. Over 800 people have since succumbed to the virus attack, otherwise avoidable deaths which would have been prevented had the offered help been accepted. Nearly 40,000 people have now been infected by the virus and the Chinese economy is under heavy stress as a result of frightened citizens who are reluctant to return to work following the Chinese New Year, afraid of being infected. Many countries have placed a near embargo on travels between China and so many airlines have since pulled out of their Chinese routes. What is Chinese authorities waiting for to accept help, as their pride is beginning to turn into foolishness.

ICHEOKU says by continuing to refuse the offered help and watching her citizens perish, the Chinese authorities has proved that the welfare of their citizens is not their priority and that their over population can absorb thousands of Chinese dead, without making any impact; but should this be their only consideration. How about the message which they are sending to the rest of the world, that they don't care about their citizens and can afford to lose thousands of them to the Coronavirus without any contrition or recompense. Hundreds of people are dying and the only thing they worry about is the image which accepting help would create of them. ICHEOKU says it is not weakness to admit one's shortfall and accept help where it would prevent death and other serious threat to the one's general welfare and wellbeing. 

ICHEOKU says calls on the authorities in Beijing to immediately take all and every help they can get and resolve the killer Coronavirus now. The more it lingers on, the more the entire world is exposed to risk of contamination and infection. People are scared and many people have stopped entering Chinese restaurants or eating Chinese food, afraid that such could be vectors of Coronavirus. But a very secretive authoritarian Chinese Communist Party is not doing all that is possible to contain the viral attack. A matter they would have nipped in the bud if only they had not branded Dr Li Wenilang a rumor monger when he first alerted of the affliction. They would have followed it up with all they had and may be the Coronavirus would have since been contained by now. But no, they muscled him into signing a confession that he misspoke, terrorized his family into silence and now this is the result, a near pandemic global spread of the virus. May God help us all. 

VINDMAN TWIN BROTHERS FIRED: GOOD RIDDANCE!

ICHEOKU says hopefully the purge of disloyal anti Trump White House staffers will continue until all the moles are completely exterminated and their contamination of the White House fully disinfected by removing their accomplices and sympathizers as well. 

Every Obama left over need to be removed from the White House and any person not keyed into Project MAGA and fully committed to driving the agenda America First forward has no business being in the White House. In this Operation Clean House, Mr President, remove all of them now! 

VINDMAN IS A RAT: RATS DON'T BELONG IN HOUSES, SNITCHES GET STITCHES.

ICHEOKU says a good riddance of a putrid rubbish which could not have come sooner. Imagine a soldier ratting against his Commander in Chief and many people are still wondering why it took this long to get rid of his infestation in the White House. Lieutenant Colonel Alexander VindRAT lost all privileges of a loyal soldier when he joined the conspiracy that attempted to overthrow a duly elected president of the United States of America, Donald John Trump. Therefore, he deserves any punishment which comes his way including being marched out of his White House job. 

Lieutenant Colonel Alexander VindRAT is a house rat which told the bush rat that there is some dried fish in the iron basket and worked in concert to have it eaten. He leaked the Ukraine telephone conversation to Eric Charamella which triggered the impeachment brouhaha that nearly removed the president from office. It was a coup de tat which failed and in some other climes, the Lieutenant Colonel would have since been summarily executed, his body dissolved in sulphuric acid and poured into an unmarked hole and forever forgotten. But he was lucky that he did what he did in America and got only a slap on the wrist with a reassignment. 

ICHEOKU says the government need to investigate the circumstances which led to his being offered Ukrainian Defense Minister's position, as such a very high position does not usually come without some tedious negotiations preceding it. Is it possible that Lieutenant Colonel Alexander VindRAT has been selling America short and working as a mole for foreign governments, including the government in his native Kiev. The Pentagon should fully investigate the circumstances which led to the Ukrainian Defense Minister's position offer and see if the Lieutenant Colonel's needs to be court martialled and stripped of both his rank and uniform, as he may be a traitor. Real men don't rat and soldiers don't rat, but not this VindRAT. What a jerk.

THE VERDICT: NOT GUILTY, ACQUITTED FOREVER!

ICHEOKU says Madam Speaker Nancy Pelosi was humiliated once again as her rushed impeachment ended up in smoke in the Senate. The Senate voted to acquit President Donald John Trump on both two articles of impeachment, having found him not guilty. What a bad period the ANTIFA crazy Nancy must be having, which led to her melt down immediately following the State of the Union address when she publicly took her frustrations out on her own copy of the SOU. 

Anyway Madam Speaker Nancy Pelosi can throw as much tantrums as her sullen heart wants, afterall she is a spoilt woman who feels entitled to whatever her heart craves including impeaching and removing the president from office. She was denied her wish as the president was found not guilty and then acquitted. Madam Speaker is having a very bad day, bad week and in fact bad month. Recall that this is a woman who pledged that any impeachment of the president must be bipartisan, but reneged and went on to rush the impeachment of the president. 

ICHEOKU says congratulations to President Donald John Trump for once again surviving another wrench thrown at his presidency, now incontrovertibly rightfully earning him the moniker, The Teflon President. ICHEOKU says thank you to Senate Leader Mitch McConnell for midwifing the president's victory in the Senate trial, the reason he is known as the Grim Reaper. He has once again ripped apart a presidency killing move by the hateful Democrats desperate to bring down the presidency of Donald John Trump.  ICHEOKU says now, can the angry and ever restive Democrats please allow the country to move on and stop distracting Mr President as he continues to work his agenda to Make America Great Again. America is having a good day except for Madam Speaker Nancy Pelosi.

STATE OF THE UNION ADDRESS 2020: PERFECT IN EVERY ASPECT.

"Madam Speaker, Mr. Vice President, Members of Congress, the First Lady of the United States, and my fellow citizens: Three years ago, we launched the great American comeback.  Tonight, I stand before you to share the incredible results.  Jobs are booming, incomes are soaring, poverty is plummeting, crime is falling, confidence is surging, and our country is thriving and highly respected again!  America's enemies are on the run, America's fortunes are on the rise, and America's future is blazing bright. 

The years of economic decay are over.  The days of our country being used, taken advantage of, and even scorned by other nations are long behind us.  Gone too are the broken promises, jobless recoveries, tired platitudes, and constant excuses for the depletion of American wealth, power, and prestige. In just 3 short years, we have shattered the mentality of American decline, and we have rejected the downsizing of America's destiny.  We are moving forward at a pace that was unimaginable just a short time ago, and we are never going back! 

I am thrilled to report to you tonight that our economy is the best it has ever been.  Our military is completely rebuilt, with its power being unmatched anywhere in the world -- and it is not even close.  Our borders are secure.  Our families are flourishing.  Our values are renewed.  Our pride is restored.  And for all these reasons, I say to the people of our great country, and to the Members of Congress before me:  The State of our Union is stronger than ever before! 

The vision I will lay out this evening demonstrates how we are building the world's most prosperous and inclusive society -- one where every citizen can join in America's unparalleled success, and where every community can take part in America's extraordinary rise. 

From the instant I took office, I moved rapidly to revive the United States economy -- slashing a record number of job-killing regulations, enacting historic and record-setting tax cuts, and fighting for fair and reciprocal trade agreements.  Our agenda is relentlessly pro-worker, pro-family, pro-growth, and, most of all, pro-American.  We are advancing with unbridled optimism and lifting high our citizens of every race, color, religion, and creed. 

Since my election, we have created 7 million new jobs -- 5 million more than Government experts projected during the previous administration. The unemployment rate is the lowest in over half a century. 

Incredibly, the average unemployment rate under my Administration is lower than any administration in the history of our country.  If we had not reversed the failed economic policies of the previous administration, the world would not now be witness to America's great economic success. The unemployment rates for African-Americans, Hispanic-Americans, and Asian-Americans have reached the lowest levels in history.  African-American youth unemployment has reached an all-time low. African-American poverty has declined to the lowest rate ever recorded. 

The unemployment rate for women reached the lowest level in almost 70 years -- and last year, women filled 72 percent of all new jobs added. The veterans' unemployment rate dropped to a record low. The unemployment rate for disabled Americans has reached an all-time low. Workers without a high school diploma have achieved the lowest unemployment rate recorded in United States history.

A record number of young Americans are now employed.

Under the last administration, more than 10 million people were added to the food stamp rolls.  Under my Administration, 7 million Americans have come off of food stamps, and 10 million people have been lifted off of welfare. In 8 years under the last administration, over 300,000 working-age people dropped out of the workforce.  In just 3 years of my Administration, 3.5 million working-age people have joined the workforce.

Since my election, the net worth of the bottom half of wage-earners has increased by 47 percent -- 3 times faster than the increase for the top 1 percent.  After decades of flat and falling incomes, wages are rising fast -- and, wonderfully, they are rising fastest for low-income workers, who have seen a 16 percent pay-increase since my election.  This is a blue collar boom. Real median household income is now at the highest level ever recorded!

Since my election, United States stock markets have soared 70 percent, adding more than $12 trillion to our Nation's wealth, transcending anything anyone believed was possible -- this, as other countries are not doing well.  Consumer confidence has reached amazing new heights. All of those millions of people with 401(k)s and pensions are doing far better than they have ever done before with increases of 60, 70, 80, 90, and even 100 percent.

Jobs and investment are pouring into 9,000 previously-neglected neighborhoods thanks to Opportunity Zones, a plan spearheaded by Senator Tim Scott as part of our great Republican tax cuts.  In other words, wealthy people and companies are pouring money into poor neighborhoods or areas that have not seen investment in many decades, creating jobs, energy, and excitement.  This is the first time that these deserving communities have seen anything like this.  It is all working!

Opportunity Zones are helping Americans like Army Veteran Tony Rankins from Cincinnati, Ohio.  After struggling with drug addiction, Tony lost his job, his house, and his family -- he was homeless.  But then Tony found a construction company that invests in Opportunity Zones.  He is now a top tradesman, drug-free, reunited with his family, and he is here tonight.  Tony:  Keep up the great work. 

Our roaring economy has, for the first time ever, given many former prisoners the ability to get a great job and a fresh start.  This second chance at life is made possible because we passed landmark Criminal Justice Reform into law.  Everybody said that Criminal Justice Reform could not be done, but I got it done, and the people in this room got it done.

Thanks to our bold regulatory reduction campaign, the United States has become the number one producer of oil and natural gas in the world, by far.  With the tremendous progress we have made over the past 3 years, America is now energy independent, and energy jobs, like so many elements of our country, are at a record high.  We are doing numbers that no one would have thought possible just 3 years ago.

Likewise, we are restoring our Nation's manufacturing might, even though predictions were that this could never be done.  After losing 60,000 factories under the previous two administrations, America has now gained 12,000 new factories under my Administration with thousands upon thousands of plants and factories being planned or built.  We have created over half a million new manufacturing jobs.  Companies are not leaving; they are coming back.  Everybody wants to be where the action is, and the United States of America is, indeed, where the action is.

One of the single biggest promises I made to the American people was to replace the disastrous NAFTA trade deal.  In fact, unfair trade is perhaps the single biggest reason that I decided to run for President.  Following NAFTA's adoption, our Nation lost one in four manufacturing jobs.  Many politicians came and went, pledging to change or replace NAFTA -- only to do absolutely nothing.  But unlike so many who came before me, I keep my promises.  Six days ago, I replaced NAFTA and signed the brand new United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA) into law.

The USMCA will create nearly 100,000 new high-paying American auto jobs, and massively boost exports for our farmers, ranchers, and factory workers.  It will also bring trade with Mexico and Canada to a much higher degree, but also to a much greater level of fairness and reciprocity.  This is the first major trade deal in many years to earn the strong backing of America's labor unions. 

I also promised our citizens that I would impose tariffs to confront China's massive theft of American jobs.  Our strategy worked.  Days ago, we signed the groundbreaking new agreement with China that will defend our workers, protect our intellectual property, bring billions of dollars into our treasury, and open vast new markets for products made and grown right here in the United States of America. 

For decades, China has taken advantage of the United States, now we have changed that but, at the same time, we have perhaps the best relationship we have ever had with China, including with President Xi.  They respect what we have done because, quite frankly, they could never believe what they were able to get away with year after year, decade after decade, without someone in our country stepping up and saying:  Enough.  Now, we want to rebuild our country, and that is what we are doing.

As we restore American leadership throughout the world, we are once again standing up for freedom in our hemisphere.  That is why my Administration reversed the failing policies of the previous administration on Cuba.  We are supporting the hopes of Cubans, Nicaraguans, and Venezuelans to restore democracy. The United States is leading a 59-nation diplomatic coalition against the socialist dictator of Venezuela, Nicolás Maduro.  Maduro is an illegitimate ruler, a tyrant who brutalizes his people. 

But Maduro's grip of tyranny will be smashed and broken.  Here this evening is a man who carries with him the hopes, dreams, and aspirations of all Venezuelans.  Joining us in the gallery is the true and legitimate President of Venezuela, Juan Guaidó.  Mr. President, please take this message back to your homeland.  All Americans are united with the Venezuelan people in their righteous struggle for freedom!  Socialism destroys nations.  But always remember, freedom unifies the soul.  

To safeguard American Liberty, we have invested a record-breaking $2.2 trillion in the United States Military.  We have purchased the finest planes, missiles, rockets, ships, and every other form of military equipment -- all made in the United States of America.  We are also finally getting our allies to help pay their fair share.  I have raised contributions from the other NATO members by more than $400 billion, and the number of allies meeting their minimum obligations has more than doubled.

And just weeks ago, for the first time since President Truman established the Air Force more than 70 years earlier, we created a new branch of the United States Armed Forces, the Space Force.  

In the gallery tonight, we have one of the Space Force's youngest potential recruits:  13-year-old Iain Lanphier, an eighth grader from Arizona.  Iain has always dreamed of going to space.  He was first in his class and among the youngest at an aviation academy.  He aspires to go to the Air Force Academy, and then, he has his eye on the Space Force.  As Iain says, "most people look up at space, I want to look down on the world."

Sitting beside Iain tonight is his great hero. Charles McGee was born in Cleveland, Ohio, one century ago. Charles is one of the last surviving Tuskegee Airmen -- the first black fighter pilots -- and he also happens to be Iain's great-grandfather. After more than 130 combat missions in World War II, he came back to a country still struggling for Civil Rights and went on to serve America in Korea and Vietnam. On December 7th, Charles celebrated his 100th birthday. A few weeks ago, I signed a bill promoting Charles McGee to Brigadier General. And earlier today, I pinned the stars on his shoulders in the Oval Office. General McGee: Our Nation salutes you.

From the pilgrims to our Founders, from the soldiers at Valley Forge to the marchers at Selma, and from President Lincoln to the Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., Americans have always rejected limits on our children's future.

Members of Congress, we must never forget that the only victories that matter in Washington are victories that deliver for the American people. The people are the heart of our country, their dreams are the soul of our country, and their love is what powers and sustains our country. We must always remember that our job is to put America first!

The next step forward in building an inclusive society is making sure that every young American gets a great education and the opportunity to achieve the American Dream.  Yet, for too long, countless American children have been trapped in failing government schools.  To rescue these students, 18 States have created school choice in the form of Opportunity Scholarships. 

The programs are so popular, that tens of thousands of students remain on waiting lists.  One of those students is Janiyah Davis, a fourth grader from Philadelphia.  Janiyah's mom Stephanie is a single parent.  She would do anything to give her daughter a better future.  But last year, that future was put further out of reach when Pennsylvania's Governor vetoed legislation to expand school choice for 50,000 children.

Janiyah and Stephanie are in the gallery this evening.  But there is more to their story.  Janiyah, I am pleased to inform you that your long wait is over.  I can proudly announce tonight that an Opportunity Scholarship has become available, it is going to you, and you will soon be heading to the school of your choice!

Now, I call on the Congress to give 1 million American children the same opportunity Janiyah has just received.  Pass the Education Freedom Scholarships and Opportunity Act -- because no parent should be forced to send their child to a failing government school. 

Every young person should have a safe and secure environment in which to learn and grow.  For this reason, our magnificent First Lady has launched the "Be Best" initiative -- to advance a safe, healthy, supportive, and drug-free life for the next generation, online, in school, and in our communities.  Thank you, Melania, for your extraordinary love and profound care for America's children. 

My Administration is determined to give our citizens the opportunities they need regardless of age or background.  Through our Pledge to American Workers, over 400 companies will also provide new jobs and education opportunities to almost 15 million Americans. My Budget also contains an exciting vision for our Nation's high schools.  Tonight, I ask the Congress to support our students and back my plan to offer vocational and technical education in every single high school in America. 

To expand equal opportunity, I am also proud that we achieved record and permanent funding for our Nation's Historically Black Colleges and Universities.

A good life for American families also requires the most affordable, innovative, and high-quality healthcare system on Earth.  Before I took office, health insurance premiums had more than doubled in just 5 years.  I moved quickly to provide affordable alternatives.  Our new plans are up to 60 percent less expensive.  I have also made an ironclad pledge to American families:  We will always protect patients with pre-existing conditions -- that is a guarantee.  And we will always protect your Medicare and your Social Security.

The American patient should never be blindsided by medical bills.  That is why I signed an Executive Order requiring price transparency.  Many experts believe that transparency, which will go into full effect at the beginning of next year, will be even bigger than healthcare reform.  It will save families massive amounts of money for substantially better care.

But as we work to improve Americans' healthcare, there are those who want to take away your healthcare, take away your doctor, and abolish private insurance entirely.  One hundred thirty-two lawmakers in this room have endorsed legislation to impose a socialist takeover of our healthcare system, wiping out the private health insurance plans of 180 million Americans.  To those watching at home tonight, I want you to know:  We will never let socialism destroy American healthcare!

Over 130 legislators in this chamber have endorsed legislation that would bankrupt our Nation by providing free taxpayer-funded healthcare to millions of illegal aliens, forcing taxpayers to subsidize free care for anyone in the world who unlawfully crosses our borders. These proposals would raid the Medicare benefits our seniors depend on, while acting as a powerful lure for illegal immigration.  This is what is happening in California and other States -- their systems are totally out of control, costing taxpayers vast and unaffordable amounts of money. 

If forcing American taxpayers to provide unlimited free healthcare to illegal aliens sounds fair to you, then stand with the radical left.  But if you believe that we should defend American patients and American seniors, then stand with me and pass legislation to prohibit free Government healthcare for illegal aliens!

This will be a tremendous boon to our already very-strongly guarded southern border where, as we speak, a long, tall, and very powerful wall is being built.  We have now completed over 100 miles and will have over 500 miles fully completed by early next year.

My Administration is also taking on the big pharmaceutical companies.  We have approved a record number of affordable generic drugs, and medicines are being approved by the FDA at a faster clip than ever before.  I was pleased to announce last year that, for the first time in 51 years, the cost of prescription drugs actually went down.

And working together, the Congress can reduce drug prices substantially from current levels.  I have been speaking to Senator Chuck Grassley of Iowa and others in the Congress in order to get something on drug pricing done, and done properly.  I am calling for bipartisan legislation that achieves the goal of dramatically lowering prescription drug prices.  Get a bill to my desk, and I will sign it into law without delay.

With unyielding commitment, we are curbing the opioid epidemic -- drug overdose deaths declined for the first time in nearly 30 years.  Among the States hardest hit, Ohio is down 22 percent, Pennsylvania is down 18 percent, Wisconsin is down 10 percent -- and we will not quit until we have beaten the opioid epidemic once and for all.

Protecting Americans' health also means fighting infectious diseases.  We are coordinating with the Chinese government and working closely together on the Coronavirus outbreak in China.  My Administration will take all necessary steps to safeguard our citizens from this threat. 

We have launched ambitious new initiatives to substantially improve care for Americans with kidney disease, Alzheimer's, and those struggling with mental health challenges.  And because the Congress funded my request, we are pursuing new cures for childhood cancer, and we will eradicate the AIDS epidemic in America by the end of the decade.

Almost every American family knows the pain when a loved one is diagnosed with a serious illness.  Here tonight is a special man, someone beloved by millions of Americans who just received a Stage 4 advanced cancer diagnosis. This is not good news, but what is good news is that he is the greatest fighter and winner that you will ever meet. Rush Limbaugh: Thank you for your decades of tireless devotion to our country. 

Rush, in recognition of all that you have done for our Nation, the millions of people a day that you speak to and inspire, and all of the incredible work that you have done for charity, I am proud to announce tonight that you will be receiving our country's highest civilian honor, the Presidential Medal of Freedom. I will now ask the First Lady of the United States to please stand and present you with the honor.  Rush, Kathryn, congratulations!

As we pray for all who are sick, we know that America is constantly achieving new medical breakthroughs. In 2017, doctors at St. Luke's hospital in Kansas City delivered one of the earliest premature babies ever to survive. Born at just 21 weeks and 6 days, and weighing less than a pound, Ellie Schneider was born a fighter. Through the skill of her doctors -- and the prayers of her parents -- little Ellie kept on winning the battle for life.  oday, Ellie is a strong, healthy 2-year-old girl sitting with her amazing mother Robin in the gallery. Ellie and Robin:  We are so glad you are here.

Ellie reminds us that every child is a miracle of life.  Thanks to modern medical wonders, 50 percent of very premature babies delivered at the hospital where Ellie was born now survive.  Our goal should be to ensure that every baby has the best chance to thrive and grow just like Ellie.  That is why I am asking the Congress to provide an additional $50 million to fund neo-natal research for America's youngest patients.  That is also why I am calling upon the Members of Congress here tonight to pass legislation finally banning the late-term abortion of babies.

Whether we are Republican, Democrat, or Independent, surely we must all agree that every human life is a sacred gift from God!

As we support America's moms and dads, I was recently proud to sign the law providing new parents in the Federal workforce paid family leave, serving as a model for the rest of the country. Now, I call on the Congress to pass the bipartisan Advancing Support for Working Families Act, extending family leave to mothers and fathers all across the Nation.

Forty million American families have an average $2,200 extra thanks to our child tax credit. I have also overseen historic funding increases for high-quality child care, enabling 17 States to serve more children, many of which have reduced or eliminated their waitlists altogether.  And I sent the Congress a plan with a vision to further expand access to high-quality childcare and urge you to act immediately.

To protect the environment, days ago, I announced that the United States will join the One Trillion Trees Initiative, an ambitious effort to bring together government and the private sector to plant new trees in America and around the world. 

We must also rebuild America's infrastructure.  I ask you to pass Senator Barrasso's highway bill -- to invest in new roads, bridges, and tunnels across our land. I am also committed to ensuring that every citizen can have access to high-speed internet, including rural America.

A better tomorrow for all Americans also requires us to keep America safe. That means supporting the men and women of law enforcement at every level, including our Nation's heroic ICE officers.

Last year, our brave ICE officers arrested more than 120,000 criminal aliens charged with nearly 10,000 burglaries, 5,000 sexual assaults, 45,000 violent assaults, and 2,000 murders.

Tragically, there are many cities in America where radical politicians have chosen to provide sanctuary for these criminal illegal aliens.  In Sanctuary Cities, local officials order police to release dangerous criminal aliens to prey upon the public, instead of handing them over to ICE to be safely removed.

Just 29 days ago, a criminal alien freed by the Sanctuary City of New York was charged with the brutal rape and murder of a 92-year-old woman.  The killer had been previously arrested for assault, but under New York's sanctuary policies, he was set free. If the city had honored ICE's detainer request, his victim would be alive today.

The State of California passed an outrageous law declaring their whole State to be a sanctuary for criminal illegal immigrants -- with catastrophic results.

Here is just one tragic example. In December 2018, California police detained an illegal alien with five prior arrests, including convictions for robbery and assault. But as required by California's Sanctuary Law, local authorities released him.

Days later, the criminal alien went on a gruesome spree of deadly violence.  He viciously shot one man going about his daily work; he approached a woman sitting in her car and shot her in the arm and the chest.  He walked into a convenience store and wildly fired his weapon. He hijacked a truck and smashed into vehicles, critically injuring innocent victims.  One of the victims of his bloody rampage was a 51-year-old American named Rocky Jones.  Rocky was at a gas station when this vile criminal fired eight bullets at him from close range, murdering him in cold blood.  Rocky left behind a devoted family, including his brothers who loved him more than anything.  One of his grieving brothers is here with us tonight.  Jody, would you please stand?  Jody, our hearts weep for your loss -- and we will not rest until you have justice.

Senator Thom Tillis has introduced legislation to allow Americans like Jody to sue Sanctuary Cities and States when a loved one is hurt or killed as a result of these deadly policies. I ask the Congress to pass the Justice for Victims of Sanctuary Cities Act immediately.  The United States of America should be a sanctuary for law-abiding Americans -- not criminal aliens! In the last 3 years, ICE has arrested over 5,000 wicked human traffickers -- and I have signed 9 pieces of legislation to stamp out the menace of human trafficking, domestically and around the globe.

My Administration has undertaken an unprecedented effort to secure the southern border of the United States. Before I came into office, if you showed up illegally on our southern border and were arrested, you were simply released and allowed into our country, never to be seen again. My Administration has ended Catch-and-Release.  If you come illegally, you will now be promptly removed. We entered into historic cooperation agreements with the governments of Mexico, Honduras, El Salvador, and Guatemala. As a result of our unprecedented efforts, illegal crossings are down 75 percent since May -- dropping 8 straight months in a row. And as the wall goes up, drug seizures rise, and border crossings go down.

Last year, I traveled to the border in Texas and met Chief Patrol Agent Raul Ortiz.  Over the last 24 months, Agent Ortiz and his team have seized more than 200,000 pounds of poisonous narcotics, arrested more than 3,000 human smugglers, and rescued more than 2,000 migrants. Days ago, Agent Ortiz was promoted to Deputy Chief of Border Patrol -- and he joins us tonight. Chief Ortiz: Please stand -- a grateful Nation thanks you and all the heroes of Border Patrol.

To build on these historic gains, we are working on legislation to replace our outdated and randomized immigration system with one based on merit, welcoming those who follow the rules, contribute to our economy, support themselves financially, and uphold our values.

With every action, my Administration is restoring the rule of law and re-asserting the culture of American freedom.  Working with Senate Majority Leader McConnell and his colleagues in the Senate, we have confirmed a record number of 187 new Federal judges to uphold our Constitution as written.  This includes two brilliant new Supreme Court Justices, Neil Gorsuch, and Brett Kavanaugh.

My Administration is also defending religious liberty, and that includes the Constitutional right to pray in public schools. In America, we do not punish prayer. We do not tear down crosses. We do not ban symbols of faith. We do not muzzle preachers and pastors. In America, we celebrate faith. We cherish religion. We lift our voices in prayer, and we raise our sights to the glory of God!

Just as we believe in the First Amendment, we also believe in another Constitutional right that is under siege all across our country. So long as I am President I will always protect your Second Amendment right to keep and bear arms.

In reaffirming our heritage as a free Nation, we must remember that America has always been a frontier nation.  Now we must embrace the next frontier, America's manifest destiny in the stars.  I am asking the Congress to fully fund the Artemis program to ensure that the next man and the first woman on the moon will be American astronauts -- using this as a launching pad to ensure that America is the first nation to plant its flag on Mars.

My Administration is also strongly defending our national security and combating radical Islamic terrorism.  Last week, I announced a groundbreaking plan for peace between Israel and the Palestinians.  Recognizing that all past attempts have failed, we must be determined and creative in order to stabilize the region and give millions of young people the change to realize a better future.

Three years ago, the barbarians of ISIS held over 20,000 square miles of territory in Iraq and Syria.  Today, the ISIS territorial caliphate has been 100 percent destroyed, and the founder and leader of ISIS -- the bloodthirsty killer Al Baghdadi -- is dead!

We are joined this evening by Carl and Marsha Mueller.  After graduating from college, their beautiful daughter Kayla became a humanitarian aid worker.  Kayla once wrote, "Some people find God in church.  Some people find God in nature.  Some people find God in love; I find God in suffering.  I've known for some time what my life's work is, using my hands as tools to relieve suffering."  In 2013, while caring for suffering civilians in Syria, Kayla was kidnapped, tortured, and enslaved by ISIS, and kept as a prisoner of Al-Baghdadi himself.  After more than 500 horrifying days of captivity, Al-Baghdadi murdered young Kayla.  She was just 26 years old.

On the night that United States Special Forces Operators ended Al Baghdadi's miserable life, the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, General Mark Milley, received a call in the Situation Room.  He was told that the brave men of the elite Special Forces team, that so perfectly carried out the operation, had given their mission a name -- "Task Force 8-14."  It was a reference to a special day:  August 14th -- Kayla's birthday.  Carl and Marsha, America's warriors never forgot Kayla -- and neither will we. 

Every day, America's men and women in uniform demonstrate the infinite depths of love that dwells in the human heart.

One of these American heroes was Army Staff Sergeant Christopher Hake.  On his second deployment to Iraq in 2008, Sergeant Hake wrote a letter to his 1-year-old son, Gage:  "I will be with you again," he wrote to Gage.  "I will teach you to ride your first bike, build your first sand box, watch you play sports and see you have kids also.  I love you son, take care of your mother.  I am always with you.  Dad."  On Easter Sunday of 2008, Chris was out on patrol in Baghdad when his Bradley Fighting Vehicle was hit by a roadside bomb. That night, he made the ultimate sacrifice for our country.  Sergeant Hake now rests in eternal glory in Arlington, and his wife Kelli is in the gallery tonight, joined by their son, who is now 13 years old.  To Kelli and Gage:  Chris will live in our hearts forever.

The terrorist responsible for killing Sergeant Hake was Qasem Soleimani, who provided the deadly roadside bomb that took Chris's life.  Soleimani was the Iranian Regime's most ruthless butcher, a monster who murdered or wounded thousands of American service members in Iraq.  As the world's top terrorist, Soleimani orchestrated the deaths of countless men, women, and children.  He directed the December assault on United States Forces in Iraq, and was actively planning new attacks. That is why, last month, at my direction, the United States Military executed a flawless precision strike that killed Soleimani and terminated his evil reign of terror forever.

Our message to the terrorists is clear:  You will never escape American justice.  If you attack our citizens, you forfeit your life!

In recent months, we have seen proud Iranians raise their voices against their oppressive rulers.  The Iranian regime must abandon its pursuit of nuclear weapons, stop spreading terror, death, and destruction, and start working for the good of its own people.  Because of our powerful sanctions, the Iranian economy is doing very poorly.  We can help them make it very good in a short period of time, but perhaps they are too proud or too foolish to ask for that help.  We are here.  Let's see which road they choose.  It is totally up to them.

As we defend American lives, we are working to end America's wars in the Middle East. In Afghanistan, the determination and valor of our warfighters has allowed us to make tremendous progress, and peace talks are underway.  I am not looking to kill hundreds of thousands of people in Afghanistan, many of them innocent.  It is also not our function to serve other nations as a law enforcement agency.  These are war fighters, the best in the world, and they either want to fight to win or not fight at all.  We are working to finally end America's longest war and bring our troops back home!

War places a heavy burden on our Nation's extraordinary military families, especially spouses like Amy Williams from Fort Bragg, North Carolina, and her 2 children -- 6-year-old Elliana and 3-year-old Rowan. Amy works full time, and volunteers countless hours helping other military families.  For the past 7 months, she has done it all while her husband, Sergeant First Class Townsend Williams, is in Afghanistan on his fourth deployment to the Middle East.  Amy's kids have not seen their father's face in many months.  Amy, your family's sacrifice makes it possible for all of our families to live in safety and peace -- we thank you.

As the world bears witness tonight, America is a land of heroes. This is the place where greatness is born, where destinies are forged, and where legends come to life. This is the home of Thomas Edison and Teddy Roosevelt, of many great Generals, including Washington, Pershing, Patton, and MacArthur. This is the home of Abraham Lincoln, Frederick Douglass, Amelia Earhart, Harriet Tubman, the Wright Brothers, Neil Armstrong, and so many more. This is the country where children learn names like Wyatt Earp, Davy Crockett, and Annie Oakley.  This is the place where the pilgrims landed at Plymouth and where Texas patriots made their last stand at the Alamo.

The American Nation was carved out of the vast frontier by the toughest, strongest, fiercest, and most determined men and women ever to walk the face of the Earth.  Our ancestors braved the unknown; tamed the wilderness; settled the Wild West; lifted millions from poverty, disease, and hunger; vanquished tyranny and fascism; ushered the world to new heights of science and medicine; laid down the railroads, dug out canals, raised up the skyscrapers -- and, ladies and gentlemen, our ancestors built the most exceptional Republic ever to exist in all of human history. And we are making it greater than ever before!

This is our glorious and magnificent inheritance. We are Americans. We are the pioneers. We are the pathfinders. We settled the new world, we built the modern world, and we changed history forever by embracing the eternal truth that everyone is made equal by the hand of Almighty God. America is the place where anything can happen!  America is the place where anyone can rise.  And here, on this land, on this soil, on this continent, the most incredible dreams come true!

This Nation is our canvas, and this country is our masterpiece.  We look at tomorrow and see unlimited frontiers just waiting to be explored.  Our brightest discoveries are not yet known.  Our most thrilling stories are not yet told.  Our grandest journeys are not yet made.  The American Age, the American Epic, the American Adventure, has only just begun!

Our spirit is still young; the sun is still rising; God's grace is still shining; and my fellow Americans, the best is yet to come!

Thank you. God Bless You. God Bless America."