US President Donald Trump will deliver his first State of the Union address of his second term on February 24, returning to Capitol Hill at a politically charged moment in Washington.

The annual State of the Union (SOTU) address, delivered before a joint session of Congress, outlines the administration’s legislative and policy priorities for the year ahead. The speech is expected to be closely watched both domestically and internationally for signals on trade, immigration, defence and foreign policy.

Democrats have announced that Abigail Spanberger, Governor of Virginia, will deliver the official Democratic rebuttal on February 19, offering the opposition party’s response to the President’s agenda and policy claims.

As per longstanding tradition, one member of the president’s Cabinet will serve as the “designated survivor,” remaining at an undisclosed location outside Washington to ensure continuity of government in the event of an emergency. The designated survivor for this address has not yet been announced.

The State of the Union traces its origins to the US Constitution, which requires the president to provide Congress with information “from time to time” on the condition of the nation and recommend necessary measures. Since the first such address in 1790, the practice has evolved into a nationally televised prime-time event watched by millions.

During his first term, Trump delivered State of the Union addresses in 2018, 2019 and 2020, along with multiple addresses to joint sessions of Congress. This year’s speech marks his first formal SOTU of his second term, following an address to a joint session on March 4, 2025.

The February 24 address is expected to set the tone for the administration’s second-term priorities while giving the opposition a high-profile platform to present an alternative vision.