Church of God News

State of the Union: Divided.


COGwriter

US President Donald Trump gave his required annual State of the Union address last night. Here are some reports:

Updated February 25, 2026

President Donald Trump on Tuesday night delivered his second term’s first State of the Union address from the United States Capitol, presenting ideas to a nation that’s heard nothing but protest, pandering and platitudes from his political foes for the first 13 months of his term.

In one of the epic speeches of his career, Trump weaved nearly two hours, cataloging his first-year successes alongside a celebration of everyday Americans’ extraordinary achievements and heroism.

On the other side of the aisle, the response appeared to be less ideas-driven and characteristically more oppose-everything-Trump.

Trump laid out a massive new agenda that included new federal matching payments for Americans’ 401(k) retirement accounts and a path to a balanced budget and an income tax-free federal system while delivering a powerful and personal repudiation of what he sees as the insanity of Democratic ideas like sanctuary cities.

“You should be shamed of yourself,” the president declared in one jibe at Rep. Ilhan Omar, D-Minn., one of the Democratic congressional lawmakers who did attend.

Democrats were reportedly instructed by minority leader Hakeem Jeffries, R-N.Y., that they could either attend in silent defiance or boycott the historic address. Dozens chose to no-show. https://justthenews.com/government/white-house/trump-strikes-determined-chord-sotu-optimistic-about-midterms?utm_source=justthenews.com&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=external-news-aggregators

February 24, 2026

President Donald Trump started in sales mode, using his State of the Union address to deliver an upbeat vision of the U.S. economy.

But that portrayal collides with the sentiment of Americans who remain anxious about their finances and feel they haven’t benefited from Trump’s policies. …

The president said that Iran and its proxies have “spread nothing but terrorism, death and hate,” adding that its leaders killed at least 32,000 protesters in recent weeks, which is at the further end of estimates over the death toll. The U.S.-based Human Rights Activist News Agency has so far counted more than 7,000 dead and believes the death toll is far higher. Iran’s government offered its only death toll on Jan. 21, saying 3,117 people were killed.

Trump also warned that the nation has developed missiles that can threaten Europe and is working on missiles “that will soon reach” the U.S.

“My preference is to solve this problem through diplomacy. But one thing is certain, I will never allow the world’s number one sponsor of terror, which they are, by far to have a nuclear weapon. Can’t let that happen.” https://apnews.com/article/state-of-union-trump-takeaways-fec4b2cf2de394188b4b9e89d2d24de6

February 25, 2026

  • President Trump delivered a full-throated defense of his first year back in office in his 2026 State of the Union address, …
  • Republicans offered raucous applause over the course of the speech, while Democrats mostly sat in silence. Some Democratic lawmakers vocally pushed back on the president’s remarks, most notably in a section on immigration and fraud.
  • The speech was the longest State of the Union address in recent history. …

Abigail Spanberger delivers Democratic response

Virginia Gov. Abigail Spanberger criticized President Trump’s record on affordability during the Democratic response to the State of the Union address Tuesday night, as the party sought to counter the president’s message. https://www.cbsnews.com/live-updates/state-of-the-union-2026/

I listened to parts of the speech live and saw some recorded segments.

I also went over transcripts of what President Trump and Governor Spanberger said.

Neither pointed out problems with increasing debt (cf. Habakkuk 2:6-8), rising immorality (2 Timothy 3:1-7), or turning the USA’s European allies into enemies (cf. Lamentations 1:1-2). Though both hinted about immorality of their political opponents.

The state of the union is division.

The USA has been dividing itself from many of its allies, particularly in Europe.

And, the USA itself is becoming more and more divided–and that was more than hinted about in the speeches last night.

Both the left and the right are moving farther apart.

Jesus warned:

25 … Every kingdom divided against itself is brought to desolation, and every city or house divided against itself will not stand. (Matthew 12:25)

24 If a kingdom is divided against itself, that kingdom cannot stand. 25 And if a house is divided against itself, that house cannot stand.  (Mark 3:24-25)

17 … Every kingdom divided against itself is brought to desolation, and a house divided against a house falls. (Luke 11:17)

Notice that God inspired this to be written three times in the Gospels.

God normally seems to repeat something in scripture for emphasis.

The division is a BIG DEAL.

The end of the USA is coming (cf. Daniel 11:39).

Instead of fighting each other, love is what is needed.

As Jesus taught:

37 … “‘You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind.’ 38 This is the first and great commandment. 39 And the second is like it: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ 40 On these two commandments hang all the Law and the Prophets.” (Matthew 22:37-40)

27 “But I say to you who hear: Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, 28 bless those who curse you, and pray for those who spitefully use you. 29 To him who strikes you on the one cheek, offer the other also. And from him who takes away your cloak, do not withhold your tunic either. 30 Give to everyone who asks of you. And from him who takes away your goods do not ask them back. 31 And just as you want men to do to you, you also do to them likewise.

32 “But if you love those who love you, what credit is that to you? For even sinners love those who love them. 33 And if you do good to those who do good to you, what credit is that to you? For even sinners do the same. 34 And if you lend to those from whom you hope to receive back, what credit is that to you? For even sinners lend to sinners to receive as much back. 35 But love your enemies, do good, and lend, hoping for nothing in return; and your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High. For He is kind to the unthankful and evil. 36 Therefore be merciful, just as your Father also is merciful. (Luke 6:27-36)

Instead of true love, a lot of hate and anger has been displayed and whipped up.

Troubles are prophesied (Mark 13:8).

The time of Jacob’s trouble (Jeremiah 30:7), also known as the Great Tribulation (Matthew 24:21), is coming and the USA and its Anglo-Saxon-Celtic allies will be affected.

National repentance is the only way to prevent it, yet neither President Trump and Governor Spanberger called for it or turning to God.

Personal repentance, however, is still possible. Your personal future can still be much brighter than that of your country. Jesus, in addition to being the source of salvation, also offered physical protection to the most faithful (see Philadelphian Christian Great Tribulation Protection and/or watch Great Tribulation Protection).

Now the Kingdom of God is the solution, but first there will be a horrific 3 1/2 years that the politicians of the USA do not fully grasp.

Several items of possibly related interest may include:

Christian Repentance Do you know what repentance is? Is it really necessary for salvation? Will certain English-speaking nations that refuse to repent be destroyed? Two related sermons about this are also available: Real Repentance and Real Christian Repentance.
About Baptism Should you be baptized? Could baptism be necessary for salvation? What about “the thief on the cross’? Who should baptize and how should it be done? Here are links to two related sermons: Let’s Talk About Baptism and Baptism, Infants, Fire, & the Second Death.
When Will the Great Tribulation Begin? 2026, 2027, or 2028? Can the Great Tribulation begin today? What happens before the Great Tribulation in the “beginning of sorrows”? What happens in the Great Tribulation and the Day of the Lord? Is this the time of the Gentiles? When is the earliest that the Great Tribulation can begin? What is the Day of the Lord? Who are the 144,000? A short video is available titled: Countdown to the Great Tribulation.
Donald Trump in Prophecy Prophecy, Donald Trump? Are there prophecies that Donald Trump may fulfill?  Are there any prophecies that he has already helped fulfill?  Is a Donald Trump presidency proving to be apocalyptic?  Three related videos are available: Donald: ‘Trump of God’ or Apocalyptic? and Donald Trump’s Prophetic Presidency and  Donald Trump and Unintended Consequences.
Unintended Consequences and Donald Trump’s Presidency: Is Donald Trump Fulfilling Biblical, Islamic, Greco-Roman Catholic, Buddhist, and other America-Related Prophecies?  Is Donald Trump going to save the USA or are there going to be many disastrous unintended consequences of his statements and policies? What will happen? This is a free eBook.
Lost Tribes and Prophecies: What will happen to Australia, the British Isles, Canada, Europe, New Zealand and the United States of America? Where did those people come from? Can you totally rely on DNA? Do you really know what will happen to Europe and the English-speaking peoples? What about the peoples of Africa, Asia, South America, and the islands? This free online book provides scriptural, scientific, historical references, and commentary to address those matters. Here are links to related sermons: Lost tribes, the Bible, and DNA; Lost tribes, prophecies, and identifications; 11 Tribes, 144,000, and Multitudes; Israel, Jeremiah, Tea Tephi, and British Royalty; Gentile European Beast; Royal Succession, Samaria, and Prophecies; Asia, Islands, Latin America, Africa, and Armageddon;  When Will the End of the Age Come?;  Rise of the Prophesied King of the North; Christian Persecution from the Beast; WWIII and the Coming New World Order; and Woes, WWIV, and the Good News of the Kingdom of God.