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2/25/2026 Reviewing the Hits and Misses from President Trump’s First Year in Anticipation of the Mid-Terms
February 26, 2026 · 54 min
A State of the Union recap, the U.S. military build-up in the Middle East, DHS funding priorities, polling on abortion among Republican voters, and preventing gender procedures on minors.
Series Washington Watch with Tony Perkins - Audio
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February 26, 2026 · 54 min · Washington Watch with Tony Perkins - Audio
A State of the Union recap, the U.S. military build-up in the Middle East, DHS funding priorities, polling on abortion among Republican voters, and preventing gender procedures on minors. ...more Show the full description Show less A State of the Union recap, the U.S. military build-up in the Middle East, DHS funding priorities, polling on abortion among Republican voters, and preventing gender procedures on minors.
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In this video 0:00 Previewing the State of the Union Address8:23 Middle East Tensions and State of the Union Insights13:52 Restoring Biblical Foundations in Education and Prayer24:28 Combating Sharia Law, Transgender Procedures, and Abortion Pills
Previewing the State of the Union Address 0:00 From the heart of our nation's capital in Washington, DC, bringing compelling interviews, insightful analysis, taking you beyond the headlines and sound bites into conversations with our nation's leaders and0:12 newsmakers, all from a biblical world view. Washington Watch with Tony Perkins starts0:18 now. Now tonight, the the president will deliver his State of the Union, and he said, as a preview, it it may be a little long because there's a lot to talk about. There's a lot of wins to tout, and he's excited to do0:28 that.0:29 That was house speaker Mike Johnson earlier today suggesting it could be a long night on Capitol Hill as the president gives his State of the Union address. Welcome to this February 20 fourth edition of Washington Watch.0:41 I'm Tony Perkins. Thanks so much for tuning in. Well, coming up, Pennsylvania congressman Scott Perry joins us to preview the president's State of the Union address and to offer his perspective on rising0:53 tensions in the Middle East. And late last week, the fifth US Circuit Court of Appeals cleared the way for Louisiana's 10 Commandments law to take effect in public schools. Louisiana governor Jeff Landry1:05 will be here to explain what the ruling means for students, parents, and schools across the state of Louisiana. Well, tonight,1:17
1:29 Harper. Casey, as the president prepares to address the nation, what should Americans be anticipating from tonight's address?
1:37 Sure, Tony. A big speech tonight and a long speech from the president. No offense to the president, but he can give long speeches. So his idea of long, it'll be interesting. The speech starts at 9 PM eastern time, so it
1:48 definitely could be a late night indeed. The president is expected, of course, to tout his administration's accomplishments over the last year, and he does have many from the tax cuts, the economy, the closing of the
1:59 southern border, and more. Now Caroline White House press secretary Caroline Levitt previewed the speech earlier today. Here's a clip.
2:07 It's State of the Union Day. I know the president's really looking forward to his address tonight. You're gonna hear a speech that is a celebration of 250 years of our nation and our
2:19 nation's independence. You're gonna hear the president share the stories of everyday Americans who have benefited from his policies. You're gonna hear the president share tear jerking stories of American heroes past and
2:30 present who really exemplify what it means to be a patriotic American.
2:35 So you and I will be watching, Tony, but at least a dozen Democrats have said that they're going to skip the event and attend their own counter event at the National Mall. Feels like some anti prom, energy going here.
2:47 But Virginia governor Abigail Spanberger has been tasked with giving the Democratic counter message, and president Trump is also facing some, you know, growing pushback on some parts of his agenda, at least according to
2:58 the recent polling, which shows that his approval rate rating going into this State of the Union is lower than we've seen in past, past years for other presidents. There's also been reportedly a drop in his approval
3:10 rating among independent voters, which is top of mind right now as we head into these midterm elections, Tony.
3:15 Well, Casey, I guess with the, the competing event taking place, that might, take out those prone to disrupt the, State of the Union address?
3:24 It's certainly possible. We saw you know, 1 lawmaker had to be escorted out last time, and there were signs and there was a lot of chatter. Ultimately, the takeaway from that was the Democrats felt it made them look bad.
3:34 So I think Democratic leadership is, eager to give a release valve for more some of the more raucous members.
3:40 Alright. Casey, another story. Amid the violence that erupted in, Mexico following the military operation that, killed the drug cartel boss, El Mincho, Numerous
3:52 Americans, are still stranded there. What's the latest?
3:56 That's right. Hundreds of calls have actually poured into the the state department's crisis hotline from Americans who are very concerned. They're stranded either at resorts or other places in Mexico. Some have their
4:06 flights canceled. And this, of course, all started because of the taking out of El Mencho, the notorious and very violent, really, drug lord who had been, not just terrorizing Mexico, but really killing a lot of
4:18 Americans with the drugs that he was sending into the US. Now we do know some details about how this this raid went down. No US forces, American personnel were directly involved in the taking out of El Mencho, but there
4:30 was a lot of US work on this and US intelligence that was given over in a, an operation. It even has domestic implications. I mentioned the drugs. But even Texas governor Greg Abbott is also stepping up
4:41 security in Texas in response to this outbreak in cartel violence. He sent a surge of personnel to the border. And, you know, Tony, I it's kinda when you see the outbreak of violence, it's kind of amazing that we left
4:52 our southern border open to this violence and lawlessness for so many years.
4:56 Yeah. I do think it's very telling when you see the the the, the depth of the response of the cartels to the the the government's forces there. I mean, this is like,
5:08 almost like a third world country where these cartels and these gangs are running the country. And, Yusei, as you pointed out, that's right on our southern border, and that board border has been porous, with many of
5:20 those individuals coming into the country. Today marks the fourth anniversary, speaking of violence, of the Russian full scale war in Ukraine. President Zelensky wants president Trump to
5:31 actually visit the war torn country. Casey, is this becoming a war of, attrition?
5:40 Yeah. I think it is. Sadly, it's a very tragic situation the more you look into it. It's a very grim anniversary of 4 years into this war. And as you said, president Zelensky in remarks, he invited president Trump to
5:51 come visit. I'm not sure that that would actually really happen. It's pretty dangerous over there, of course. But it's a very pivotal time for Ukraine, which does have increasing support, it seems, from the rest of the
6:01 European Union. In fact, they just agreed to deliver a loan of 90000000000 dollars to the war torn nation. In fact, here's a clip from president Zelensky earlier today.
6:11 Today, we must be just as determined and strong as we were when the invasion began. The threat hasn't become smaller.
6:23 Yes. We are holding Russia back, but we have not yet guaranteed security. And only together can we do this together
6:35 in Europe. Yes. Together with America.
6:40 He certainly needs all the help he can get. But Ukraine's ambassador today to the US said that Ukraine does not feel abandoned by the US government and says that she expects president Trump to discuss ending Russia's war
6:51 in Ukraine tonight during his address. I guess we'll see if that's the case, Tony. Yeah.
6:56 I I think that that will be 1 of
6:57 the many topics. I I don't know how deep the president will go on that. I think, as the house speaker alluded to earlier, the president is gonna kinda tout some of the successes and victories that the administration has
7:08 seen in the, the the first, first year of, full year of the administration. While we're waiting, our our our first guest, let let's, explore a little bit. What are some of the themes that we
7:20 can anticipate hearing tonight?
7:23 Yeah. I mean, I think that it may so much happens in the Trump era of the presidency that sometimes really big accomplishments can feel like they were 10 years ago, but they actually were less than a year ago. I mean, a
7:34 big 1 that we alluded to earlier was the closing of the southern border. When, former president Joe Biden was in office, we were told time and time again that it's impossible to close the border or we need, you know,
7:44 tens of billions of more dollars. The Republicans won't give us to close the border. It just can't be done. Sorry. The border's too big. It's too complex. President Trump did it almost immediately, and I think that he he
7:55 has to hammer that as much as he can. The tax cuts are really big too as we go into the affordability issue, Tommy.
8:00 Well, and it's the second time he secured the border. He did it in his first administration as well. So he he's he's proven it can be done. If there is a will, there is certainly a way. Casey, thanks so much for, for
8:12 joining us. Well, as, we were discussing as the nation awaits the, State of the Union address tonight by the president, the Middle East is also in a state of anticipation with the rapid increase of US
Middle East Tensions and State of the Union Insights
8:24 military presence near Iran. Joining us now is congressman Scott Perry from Pennsylvania. He serves on the foreign affairs committee and the permanent select committee on intelligence. He represents the tenth
8:35 congressional district. General. He's also retired general. 40 years in uniform. Congressman general Perry, welcome back to Washington Watch.
8:44 Great great to be with you, Tony. This is a special night. A lot of electricity around town here.
8:50 It is. There's a lot to celebrate. The president has accomplished quite a bit. As we were just discussing, the border's secure once again. He did it in his first administration. But before we get into kind of the
9:01 particulars of tonight, let's talk Middle East. A lot of military presence of the US building in that region. What are you anticipating?
9:10 Well, I anticipate, a lot of leverage being placed on the Mullahs of Iran to do exactly what the United States wants, which is essentially to disarm nuclear their nuclear,
9:23 program, but also to dismantle their ballistic missile program, which, unfortunately, threatens every 1 of their neighbors in the in the area. And, of course, if they have it their
9:35 way, they will threaten much further, out. You know, they they want the range capability to to reach out to include the United States of America. And then finally, to stop sowing the seeds of terror around the
9:46 globe, not just in the Middle East, but everywhere. Unfortunately, Tony, I just don't see the Iranians, agreeing to this. And if they do agree in any principle, I certainly don't
9:58 expect them to keep their word. And I think that is why they have the sort of Damocles hanging over their heads right now.
10:06 Well, you anticipated my second question because this is not, new for you. As I mentioned, 40 years in, the the military and retiring as a brigadier general, you know the mindset, the
10:18 ideology that is driving them. I don't see them changing now. I mean, this we've seen this for over 4 decades.
10:25 Right. Right. Look. They are wholly committed to the destruction of the state of Israel and the United States and, of course, the Islamification of the entire globe. That is their mission.
10:37 And even though their population doesn't support it, their population, of course, lives under tyranny. I mean, they spent 1000000000 dollars, rearming and reequipping themselves after the last
10:49 US and Israeli strike. Meanwhile, their own citizens can't find food, water, or power. And so, unfortunately, they have a captive population. It's essentially a criminal
11:02 element that, that has captured a a a so called state or a nation, a sovereign nation, and I really don't see the ideology changing whatsoever. They have been able to
11:13 bluff and obfuscate and delay their way, to their current position for the last 47 years. Unfortunately, I don't think they've really had to deal with the likes of a resolved Donald
11:25 Trump, president Trump. And I think that that is the the change in the calculus here. We are at a critical pivotal moment in history unlike any other where the Iranian people are rising up. You have president Trump in
11:37 the White House, United Republican Senate and House, And, I think the elements of change in the Middle East are on the table right now as we speak.
11:48 I think that is a fair assessment of the situation. The only thing I would add is I believe the people in Israel are praying hard for this president. They are. Yes. Because their future is is very much
12:00 entwined with the decisions that he makes. We less than 2 minutes left, congressman Perry. I wanna turn now tonight to the president's State of the Union address. What are you hoping to hear?
12:11 Well, I'm hoping to hear, where he tells the American people all the things that together the congress and he have gotten, completed and the successes that we've had over the last year and a couple months,
12:23 which are astounding, especially when you think about the the small majority that we have. But most Americans don't know what was in the reconciliation called the BBB, the big beautiful bill. They don't know what's
12:35 in there. That was multiple multiple successes from no tax on ticks tips and overtime, so reducing taxes on Social Security, and and quite honestly and
12:47 quite literally stopping the biggest tax increase in history. Every Democrat is on record of voting to increase taxes. Every Republican is on record to vote to actually decrease your
12:58 taxes. Most Americans don't know those things, all the things that occurred because we usually pass 1 bill at a time. But on that occasion, there were multiple bills, literally dozens of bills all passed
13:10 at 1 time, and the effects are are being seen in an economy growing at a 5 percent gross domestic product when the experts told us we'd never get above 2. Right? So the president has to talk about
13:22 our successes and then has to show the road map road map for future successes, including the Save America Act.
13:29 You know, congressman Perry, it's interesting. When government does its job and it works well, the American people don't know it, because because things are as they should be, and that's the way we have it right now.
13:42 Congressman, Scott Perry, always great to see you, my friend. Thanks for joining us.
13:46 Great to be with you, Tony. God bless you.
13:48 Alright. Alright. Coming up next, I'll be joined by the governor of Louisiana. Governor Jeff Landry joins me with some good news, so don't go away. We'll be right back.
Restoring Biblical Foundations in Education and Prayer
14:01 You see, America has freedom for a purpose. The question is, are we living by that purpose today? See, the founders understood we as a nation
14:13 would be accountable to God for what he had granted to us. They sought freedom for a purpose, and that freedom was given to us as a nation for that same purpose to serve God,
14:25 to honor him, and to live as a people under his authority.
14:31 At the 20 26 National Gathering for Prayer and Repentance in Washington, DC, members of congress, state leaders, evangelical leaders, and intercessors from across the nation
14:43 united as 1 voice in prayer.
14:46 Heavenly father, thank you so much for this gathering. We do repent, and we ask for your continued favor and blessing over our nation even when we don't deserve it.
14:54 I thank you that because of the shed blood and the glorious righteousness of your son, Jesus Christ, a sinner such as myself can boldly approach your throne.
15:07 You said that you helped the humble, and we are asking just now that you would help us, Lord.
15:27 We pray that you humble us, help us to follow after you with all our hearts so that we can see righteousness exalted in this nation and this nation restored to you. We know this not by our power, it's not by our
15:39 might, it's by your spirit.
15:40 Freedom has a name. His name is Jesus. And freedom has a purpose. It is to honor and glorify you. We pray that we would return to that purpose. Amen.
16:01 The book of Hebrews says that the word of God is living and active, sharper than any 2 edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the
16:13 thoughts and intentions of the heart. Stand on the word is family research council's journey through the living and active word of God. Follow the plan with us. Spend
16:25 10 to 15 minutes a day reading God's word. And over the course of 2 years, discover that the Bible is 1 big story, a story of many words pointing to the word.
16:37 The 1 who is the same yesterday, today, and forever. Because the word is alive and his name is Jesus. Find our bible reading plan and daily devotionals from Tony
16:48 Perkins at f r c dot o r g slash bible. Join us as we stand on the word.
17:02 Welcome back to Washington Watch. Thanks so much for, tuning in and making us part of your day. The website, tony perkins dot com, and you can find out more about, FRC and the resources
17:14 available on the Stand Firm app. Go to the App Store, get the Stand Firm app. You'll have access to Washington Watch. You'll also have access to Stand on the Word, my daily Bible devotional. All that can
17:26 be found at the App Store, the Stand Firm app. Alright. A federal court has lifted a lower court block on Louisiana's law requiring the displaying of the 10
17:38 commandments in public school classrooms. The US Court of Appeals for the fifth circuit voted 12 to 6 on Friday to lift the block stating that it cannot declare that every possible
17:50 display would violate the establishment clause. Doing so, it stated, is not judging. It's guessing. Now I was in the, the courtroom, a few weeks back when they had the oral arguments
18:02 on this case. This is a victory. It's not total. Just saying that, the those that are opposed to it really don't have anything to stand on just yet. So what does this mean for schools and
18:14 students in Louisiana? Joining me now to discuss this is the governor of Louisiana, Jeff Landry, who signed the law, house bill 71 into law back in 2024. Governor
18:25 Landry, welcome back to Washington Watch. Good to see you.
18:29 Oh, it's great to be with you, Tony.
18:31 It was good to see you this morning as well. Let me, ask you. This, this is a victory. The the court, saying that the lower court's block has to be lifted, and this
18:42 allows the state of Louisiana to post 10 commandments in classrooms.
18:48 That's correct. I would say that this is, we're in We just finished round 2, and we won, a very decisive victory. And and now schools can use the attorney general's guidance,
19:00 that she has posted on her website, as a road map, to being able to put these posters up. I think the attorney general and her team did a phenomenal
19:12 job in the fifth circuit. Of course, as you mentioned, you and Aaron, we would I was there as well. Sharon and I were there. We listened to the arguments. We saw the justice's reactions.
19:24 I thought that they did a phenomenal job, and they came out with a phenomenal, opinion. And and and now it paves the way for us to go ahead and implement the law, which we're
19:35 going to implement.
19:37 And and you you, you've already reached out to a lot of the schools. Some of the schools have been hesitant based upon the the legal challenge. But now that the the court, the circuit court has said, look. There's no
19:49 reason to challenge it at present. According to the law, there's no as it's written and as the guidance that has been put out, there's nothing to suggest that this would violate the establishment clause. So there's no
20:00 reason for schools in Louisiana not to post them now. Is that correct?
20:04 That's correct. Look. We're gonna be putting out a letter to superintendents and to school boards and then messaging, to our schools directly that, yes, it's time for them to go ahead and implement the law. There
20:16 these posters have been donated and have been distributed to our schools, and they have no reason not to be able to post them. They don't have to worry about any litigation or legal recourse. The
20:28 attorney general will handle any of those types of issues, that may come about. But again, you know, we've we've got some great displays, that that that talk about the historical
20:40 context of, the 10 commandments in conjunction with the rest of our founding documents. And I think it's just so important. You know, I've had so many people ask me questions, you know, the
20:52 critics out there like, why, you know, what can you do? Why? I can't believe this. What do people say? And, you know, the first thing I say is I didn't know that the 10 commandments were a bad way to live your life to
21:03 start off with. And the second thing I do is tell them that your child will either read the 10 commandments or they'll be forced to read the criminal code at some particular point in life. And and
21:15 I look, I think that this is is is high time to get those foundational documents and and and good Judeo Christian principles back into our educational system.
21:26 So so the opponents, I guess, they're afraid that kids might read this and they won't steal, or they won't kill. I mean Yeah.
21:34 It's it's Yeah. I don't know what they're I don't know how they raise their kids. You know? I guess they want them to steal and kill and do all those other things, but it just it's amazing. I mean, it really is. I mean,
21:43 you know, the thing of it is is that when you ask reporters who who ask you those questions, well, do you want your child to steal? Do you want them to kill? Do you want them to do this to you? Like, you know, when you
21:52 just go down the line, of course, they don't. You know? No sane person would want that. This is this is just the left's way of of of trying to keep,
22:04 the foundation of what created the greatest country on earth, from from going back to to golden age, something that the president of the United States is so desperately
22:16 trying to get America back to its foundation. And and and, look, we're gonna do our part here in Louisiana.
22:22 Well well, governor, I wanna commend you and the attorney general, Liz Murrell, for, for for, a yeoman's work here in in getting these not not just pass it into law, but the implementation. I found in my time in
22:34 the in the legislature, passing a law is just half of it. The implementation and making sure that it is enforced is the is really the bulk of the work, and you've really leaned into this. I wanna go back to
22:46 something you said a moment ago because I want everybody to hear, especially our folks in Louisiana. If a school district follows the guidance put out by the attorney general, because this is the law of Louisiana. This
22:57 was passed by the legislature. This the legislature. This is not something that you did by executive order. The legislature did this. This is a duly passed law. The court has said it's, you know, we we don't see anything
23:09 wrong with it at present. If a school district follows the guidance of the attorney general as the law is written, the attorney general will defend these local school districts. They don't have to worry about
23:21 any kind of liability or legal risk.
23:24 That's correct. That's correct. The attorney general is happy to take on any of those lawsuits that are that that are brought to those particular schools. She's very familiar with doing that. You know, she served as the
23:35 solicitor general when I was attorney general and and did an unbelievable job. She's doing a great job as the attorney general. And I I will say this for for folks, you know, not only in Louisiana, but outside as
23:47 well. It goes to show you what happens when you when you elect people in these types of offices, especially attorney general in governing, where they work together in
23:59 a concerted effort to bring back the things that made America great. You can you can you can make progress.
24:07 Yeah. Absolutely. And I am hopeful that other states are gonna follow the lead of Louisiana. Governor Jeff Landry, always great to see you, my friend. Thanks again for your leadership on this. Greatly
24:18 appreciated.
24:20 Thank you so much. Do appreciate it. Have a great day.
24:23 Alright. Governor Jeff Landry of, Louisiana. You know, it kinda as he was talking about, it reminds me of of, George Washington's first president of the United States in his farewell address. Talked about theShow more
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