President Donald Trump’s State of the Union address wasn’t just a speech about promises — it was a report on the historic results his administration has delivered for North Carolina and for the country.
President Trump promised to rebuild our economy. In just over a year, inflation is down and wages are up. Families are spending less and keeping more of what they earn.
President Trump promised to restore our border. Today, illegal crossings are at their lowest levels in 50 years. The difference is clear, and this didn’t happen by accident. It happened because President Trump said he would fix the economy, secure the border, make our country safe again and put America first — and he has.
Let’s start with the economy. Under Joe Biden and the Democrats, North Carolina families and small businesses were squeezed by rising prices and shrinking paychecks. President Trump promised to make America affordable again, and thanks to the Working Families Tax Cuts and this administration’s great economic comeback, relief is here.
North Carolinians are seeing up to $6,400 in real wage increases and up to $10,100 more in annual take-home pay. Nearly 4.5 million families will benefit from an increase in the standard deduction, and more than 1.2 million families are receiving an expanded Child Tax Credit. Nearly 800,000 small business owners now have certainty with their 20% deduction made permanent. No more taxes on overtime, tips and Social Security — because you should keep more of what you earn.
Rep. Don Davis voted against the biggest middle-class tax cuts in history for our state, and Roy Cooper was one of its most vocal critics. North Carolinians should remember that as we prepare to see record-setting refunds this tax season.
President Trump also promised to make health care more affordable, and with the launch of TrumpRx, North Carolinians are already seeing real savings on the medications they need. In our state’s rural communities, more than $213 million in funding is on the way to strengthen local health care and help ensure small towns have access to care close to home.
But none of it means much if families don’t feel safe.
Thanks to President Trump, we now have the most secure border in history. Law enforcement is removing the worst of the worst criminal illegal aliens from our communities, and violent crime nationally is dropping as our officers receive the support and resources they deserve.
Unfortunately, here in North Carolina, we don’t have to imagine what soft-on-crime looks like because we’ve experienced it firsthand.
On his final day as governor, Cooper commuted the sentences of 15 convicted murderers on death row, enraging victims’ families and blindsiding prosecutors. On his watch, more than 3,500 criminals were released early from our prison system, including Iryna Zarutska’s killer, murderers, rapists and 51 inmates serving life sentences. He blocked cooperation with ICE, turned our state into a sanctuary for illegal aliens, and made North Carolina less safe.
But thanks to President Trump, we’re seeing a very different record — focusing on law and order above the radical left’s woke, soft-on-crime policies.
This year, our nation will celebrate 250 years of independence. This milestone should be a reminder that America’s best days are ahead of us — and I believe North Carolina will play a big role in what comes next.
If we want to keep growing our economy, cutting taxes for working families, securing our border, making health care affordable and fighting violent crime, we have to expand our Republican majorities. We can’t afford to send anyone to Washington who will obstruct the America First agenda or serve as rubber stamps for the Democratic Party’s top wish: impeaching President Trump.
President Trump has proven something over the past year: When he makes a promise, he keeps it. North Carolina families are seeing the results — and the best is yet to come.
Jason Simmons is chairman of the North Carolina Republican Party.
