Trump says he'll 'speak from the heart' during first speech to Congress

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President Donald Trump will deliver a speech to Congress on Tuesday night. Newslook

President Trump (Photo: Olivier Douliery / POOL, EPA)

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WASHINGTON — President Trump plans to use his first address to Congress on Tuesday to outline an ambitious — and contested — agenda that ranges from tax cuts and regulation rollbacks to road projects and a proposed 10% hike in defense spending.

"All I can do is speak from the heart and say what I want to do," Trump said during an interview broadcast on Fox & Friends.

After a turbulent five-and-a-half weeks in the White House, Trump said he will also discuss his yet-to-be proposed replacement for President Barack Obama's health care plan. The president's speech also figures to touch on his disputed immigration plans, including a wall along the U.S.-Mexico border and a proposed travel ban from seven Muslim majority nations.

In previewing the president's remarks, aides said Trump may express interest in working on a compromise immigration bill with Congress, possibly one with a path to legalization for migrants who are in the country illegally but otherwise have no criminal records.

While not providing details on the immigration section, White House spokesperson Sarah Sanders said the president has "made clear that he’s open to have conversations about that moving forward."

Trump may also use the speech to condemn recent anti-Semitic incidents, aides said, including vandalism at Jewish cemeteries and bomb threats against Jewish community centers.

The address to Congress is scheduled to begin at 9:10 p.m. ET.

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At a meeting with governors, President Donald Trump said his first budget will focus on "public safety and "national security." He also said when he was in college the U.S. 'never lost a war.' His college years coincided with the Vietnam War. (Feb. 27) AP

It comes a day after Trump's team proposed $54 billion more in the defense budget, a 10% increase that would be financed by an equal amount of still undefined cuts in other government programs. In his Fox interview, Trump also touted an aggressive deportation program focused on migrants with criminal records.

“I'll be talking about the military, I'll be talking about the border," Trump told Fox. "And remember this: On the border and throughout our country, we're getting the bad ones out. The bad people, gang members, drug lords, in some cases, murderers.”

Asked about financing his plans, Trump said, "I think the money is going to come from a revved up economy," thanks to reduced regulations on businesses.

In any event, Congress will have to sign off on many of Trump's tax cut and spending plans.

Trump travels to Capitol Hill after a short but heated time in the presidency. While facing mass protests and lawsuits over his travel ban and deportation policies, Trump has also used Twitter and the presidential bully pulpit to attack political opponents and the media. The friction often deals with ongoing investigations into possible contacts between Trump's team and Russians during last year's presidential election.

Polls put Trump's approval ratings below 50%, unusually low for this early in a presidency.

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While Tuesday's speech will have a State of the Union-like quality, it is technically just an address to Congress. First-year presidents are not expected to be able to judge the true state of the union.

Hours before the event, Democrats and other critics are already attacking many of Trump's proposals, saying they will benefit the wealthy at the expense of working people he claimed to represent during his campaign.

"If past is prologue, the president will come to Congress with a populist message in an attempt to cloak what has been a hard-right, anti-working person Administration," said Senate Democratic leader Chuck Schumer of New York.

While there has been talk of some sort of Democratic protest at Trump's speech, lawmakers said they will be respectful.

Rep. Joseph Crowley, D-N.Y., chairman of the House Democratic Caucus, said that "we'll be polite" to the president, but "we'll show very little, if any, enthusiasm at all, for what I anticipate his speech will be about."

As with previous presidential addresses before Congress, members of both parties will bring guests who can help illustrate their political agendas.

Trump's guest list includes people who have had relatives killed by migrants who were in the country illegally. Also in the presidential box: The widow of Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia, who died a year ago. Trump has nominated appeals court judge Neil Gorsuch to replace Scalia.

Guests of Democratic lawmakers include migrants brought to the United States illegally by their parents, and now at risk of deportation. Democrats have also invited Muslims and refugees who could be affected by Trump's proposed travel policies, currently the subjects of challenges in courts.

Seeking to win some support from congressional Republicans, Trump has said he will push for a major infrastructure program.

During a Monday meeting at the White House with governors, Trump criticized the state of the nation's roads and said "we're going to take care of that. Infrastructure: We're going to start spending on infrastructure, big."

While his team is still putting together its own health care proposal,  Trump told Fox he will have a "really terrific" plan that is needed because "Obamacare has been a disaster, it's way out of control.”

Under the Affordable Care Act, passed in 2010, more than 20 million people have gained health insurance, dropping the rate of uninsured Americans to new lows.

In his remarks to the governors, Trump said health care was more complicated than he thought, in part because it will affect so many other aspects of the economy. As a result, Trump said he wants to address health care before asking Congress to pass a tax cut.

"I have to tell you, it's an unbelievably complex subject," Trump said. "Nobody knew that health care could be so complicated."

Read more:

The first 100 days of the Trump presidency

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Trump holds up an executive order to bolster historically black colleges and universities after signing it in the Oval Office on Feb. 28, 2017.  Jim Watson, AFP/Getty Images

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Trump leads a listening session with health insurance company CEOs in the Roosevelt Room of the White House on Feb. 27, 2017.  Aude Guerrucci, Pool/European Pressphoto Agency

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Trump makes a toast during a dinner reception for the annual National Governors Association winter meeting on Feb. 26, 2017, in the State Dining Room of the White House.  Manuel Balce Ceneta, AP

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Trump waves while walking across the South Lawn of the White House to depart on Marine One on Feb. 24, 2017.  Michael Reynolds, European Pressphoto Agency

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Trump and Pence arrive for a meeting with manufacturing executives at the White House on Feb. 23, 2017.  Evan Vucci, AP

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Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin listens at right as Trump speaks during a meeting on the federal budget on Feb. 22, 2017, in the Roosevelt Room of the White House.  Evan Vucci, AP

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Trump walks past an exhibit for Dr. Ben Carson, his nominee for Housing and Urban Development secretary, during a tour of the National Museum of African American History and Culture on Feb. 21, 2017.  Evan Vucci, AP

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Trump reaches out to shake hands with Army Lt. Gen. H.R. McMaster at his Mar-a-Lago estate in Palm Beach, Fla., on Feb. 20, 2017, where Trump announced that McMaster will be the new national security adviser.  Susan Walsh, AP

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The Trumps attend a campaign-style rally on Feb. 18, 2017, in Melbourne, Fla.  Chris O'Meara, AP

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President Trump walks with his grandchildren Arabella Kushner and Joseph Kushner to Marine One on the South Lawn of the White House on Feb. 17, 2017.  Evan Vucci, AP

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Trump speaks during a __news conference on Feb. 16, 2017, in the East Room of the White House.  Evan Vucci, AP

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Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu shake hands during a joint __news conference in the East Room of the White House on Feb. 15, 2017.  Pablo Martinez Monsivais, AP

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Trump meets with retail industry leaders in the Roosevelt Room of the White House on Feb. 15, 2017.  Saul Loeb, AFP/Getty Images

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Trump and Education Secretary Betsy DeVos attend a meeting with parents and teachers on Feb. 14, 2017, in the Roosevelt Room of the White House.  Evan Vucci, AP

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Trump looks on as Steven Mnuchin is sworn in as Treasury secretary on Feb. 13, 2017.  Alex Wong, Getty Images

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Trump meets with Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau in the Oval Office on Feb. 13, 2017.  Evan Vucci, AP

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Trump walks from Marine One on the South Lawn of the White House as he returns from his weekend trip to Mar-a-Lago on Feb. 12, 2017.  Molly Riley, AFP/Getty Images

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Trump and Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe listen to the translator after they both made statements about North Korea at Mar-a-Lago on Feb. 11, 2017.  Susan Walsh, AP

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President Trump and Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, accompanied by their wives, first lady Melania Trump and Akie Abe, wave before boarding Air Force One at Andrews Air Force Base on Feb. 10, 2017.  Jose Luis Magana, AP

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Trump walks with Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe at the White House on Feb. 10, 2017.  Evan Vucci, AP

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President Trump speaks to Democratic and Republican senators about Supreme Court nominee Neil Gorsuch in the Roosevelt Room on Feb. 9, 2017.  Pool, Getty Images

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Trump arrives for a meeting with airline executives on Feb. 9, 2017.  Evan Vucci, AP

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President Trump leaves after speaking at the Major Cities Chiefs Association and Major County Sheriff's Association Winter Meeting in Washington on Feb. 8, 2017.  Saul Loeb, AFP/Getty Images

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Intel CEO Brian Krzanich speaks during a meeting with Trump on Feb. 8, 2017, where Intel announced an investment of $7 billion to build a factory in Chandler, Ariz., to create advanced semi-conductor chips.  Chris Kleponis, Pool/European Pressphoto Agency

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Trump holds up a gift given to him by county sheriffs following a meeting as they pose for photos in the Oval Office on Feb. 7, 2017.  Saul Loeb, AFP/Getty Images

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President Trump has lunch with troops during a visit to the U.S. Central Command at MacDill Air Force Base on Feb. 6, 2017, in Tampa, Fla.  Mandel Ngan, AFP/Getty Images

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The Trumps watch the Super Bowl at a party at Trump International Golf Club in West Palm Beach, Fla., on Feb. 5, 2017.  Susan Walsh, AP

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The Trumps arrive for the 60th Annual Red Cross Gala at his Mar-a-Lago estate in Palm Beach, Fla., on on Feb. 4, 2017.  Mandel Ngan, AFP/Getty Images

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President Trump walks with first lady Melania Trump on the tarmac after he arrived on Air Force One at the Palm Beach International Airport for a visit to Mar-a-Lago on Feb. 3, 2017.  Joe Raedle, Getty Images

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Trump waves as he walks from Marine One to board Air Force One at Andrews Air Force Base, Md., on Feb. 3, 2017, en route to Mar-a-Lago for the weekend.  Susan Walsh, AP

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Trump speaks during the beginning of a policy and strategy forum with business executives in the State Dining Room of the White House on Feb. 3, 2017.  Brendan Smialowski, AFP/Getty Images

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White House Chief of Staff Reince Priebus and Vice President Pence look on as Trump speaks briefly to reporters after greeting Harley Davidson executives on the South Lawn of the White House on Feb. 2, 2017.  Drew Angerer, Getty Images

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Television producer Mark Burnett, left, and Sen. John Boozman, R-Ark., look on as Trump waves upon his arrival for the National Prayer Breakfast on Feb. 2, 2017, in Washington.  Evan Vucci, AP

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Trump takes his seat between Paula White of the New Destiny Christian Center and NRA Executive Vice President and CEO Wayne LaPierre at a meeting on his nomination of Neil Gorsuch to the Supreme Court in the Roosevelt Room on Feb. 1, 2017.  Michael Reynolds, European Pressphoto Agency

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Trump shakes hands with Neil Gorsuch, his Supreme Court nominee, in the East Room of the White House on Jan. 31, 2017.  Michael Reynolds, European Pressphoto Agency

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Trump meets with leaders of the pharmaceutical industry at the White House on Jan. 31, 2017.  Nicholas Kamm, AFP/Getty Images

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President Trump meets with small-business leaders in the Roosevelt Room of the White House on Jan. 30, 2017.  Jim Lo Scalzo, European Pressphoto Agency

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President Trump speaks on the phone with German Chancellor Angela Merkel in the Oval Office on Jan. 28, 2017.  Michael Reynolds, European Pressphoto Agency

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Trump shakes hands with Defense Secretary James Mattis during an event at the Pentagon on Jan. 27, 2017. Vice President Pence is at right.  Susan Walsh, AP

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Trump greets British Prime Minister Theresa May as she arrives at the White House on Jan. 27, 2017.  Shawn Thew, European Pressphoto Agency

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Senate Majority Whip John Cornyn and Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell watch as President Trump arrives to speak to House and Senate GOP lawmakers at the annual policy retreat in Philadelphia on Jan. 26, 2017.  Pablo Martinez Monsivais, AP

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Trump boards Air Force One at Andrews Air Force Base in Maryland on Jan. 26, 2017, as he departed to attend a Republican congressional retreat in Philadelphia.  Nicholas Kamm, AFP/Getty Images

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Trump, accompanied by Vice President Mike Pence, gives a thumbs-up on Jan. 25, 2017, at the White House.  Pablo Martinez Monsivais, AP

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Trump reads from one of the executive orders he signed during a visit to the Department of Homeland Security with Vice President Mike Pence, Homeland Security Secretary John Kelly and other officials in Washington on Jan. 25, 2017.  Chip Somodevilla, Pool/European Pressphoto Agency

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Trump arrives for meeting with automobile leaders in the Roosevelt Room of the White House on Jan. 24, 2017.  Pablo Martinez Monsivais, AP

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Trump displays one of five executive actions he signed in the Oval Office on Jan. 24, 2017.  Shawn Thew, European Pressphoto Agency

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Trump speaks during a reception for House and Senate leaders in the the State Dining Room of the White House on Jan. 23, 2017.  Susan Walsh, AP

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Trump signs executive actions in the Oval Office on Jan. 23, 2017.  Saul Loeb, AFP/Getty Images

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Trump meets with business leaders on Jan. 23, 2017, in the Roosevelt Room.  Pablo Martinez Monsivais, AP

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President Trump holds a letter left for him by former president Barack Obama as Vice President Pence looks on before the swearing-in of the White House senior staff on Jan. 22, 2017.  Mandel Ngan, AFP/Getty Images

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Trump speaks at the CIA headquarters in Langley, Va., on Jan. 21, 2017.  Andrew Harnik, AP

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The Trumps arrive for a National Prayer Service at the National Cathedral on Jan. 21, 2017.  Andrew Harnik, AP

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The president and first lady thank guests during the Freedom Ball at the Washington Convention Center on Jan. 20, 2017.  Chip Somodevilla, Getty Images

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The Trumps and Pences attend the Freedom Ball on Jan. 20, 2017.  Kevin Dietsch, Pool/European Pressphoto Agency

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Trump waves as he walks with first lady Melania Trump during the inaugural parade on Pennsylvania Avenue.  Evan Vucci, Pool

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Trump is joined by the congressional leadership and his family as he formally signs his cabinet nominations into law in the President’s Room of the Senate on Jan. 20, 2017.  J. Scott Applewhite, Pool Photo-USA TODAY Sports

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Trump greets House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., and other congressional leaders as he arrives for his inauguration luncheon at the Capitol on Inauguration Day.  J. Scott Applewhite, Pool

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Trump and Obama arrive for Trump’'s inauguration luncheon at the Capitol.  J. Scott Applewhite, Pool

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The Trumps and Obamas stand on the steps of the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 20, 2017.  Rob Carr, Getty Images

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Trump is seen speaking on video monitor on the National Mall during his inauguration on Jan. 20, 2017.  John Minchillo, AP

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Trump delivers his inaugural address on Jan. 20, 2017, on the west front of the U.S. Capitol  Porter Binks, USA TODAY

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Trump takes the oath of office on Jan. 20, 2017, as his family looks on.  Jim Bourg, Pool

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