US President Donald Trump will deliver his first official State of the Union address in his second term on Tuesday (local time). During the speech, which is expected to start at 9:30 pm ET (7:30 am IST), Trump is likely to focus on several issues, with one of the key topics being how the US is growing and seeing new jobs and domestic production increase, even though many Americans do not feel that way.
With an address, as in real estate, the most important thing is location, location and location. According to a CBS News report, the most sought-after seats near the president are in the House during a speech.
The report added that Washington’s most influential political figures will be present during Trump’s keynote address, including designated survivors, cabinet members, members of Congress and Supreme Court justices. The House Gallery can accommodate hundreds of seats outside of the members’ seats on the chamber floor.
Here’s everything you need to know about who sits where during the address
Who is sitting behind the president?
The two people who will sit behind Trump will be US Vice President JD Vance and Speaker of the House Mike Johnson. These two leaders are next in line for the presidency and sit directly behind the president. From a viewer’s perspective, Vance would sit to Trump’s left, while the speaker would be on the right.
In the case of divided government, sitting during a speech becomes slightly uncomfortable, and it is not customary for the Speaker of the House, if he is of the opposing party, to remain seated when the Deputy Speaker rises to applaud the President’s speech. But that scenario is unlikely on Tuesday, as both Vance and Johnson are Republicans and staunch Trump supporters.
Where do the judges of the Supreme Court sit?
The report suggests that while not all Supreme Court justices are present at the State of the Union (SOTU), many usually are. Judges sit in the front row on the floor of the House of Commons, hence their key and unique role in upholding the Constitution.
Where is the first lady sitting?
The First Lady does not sit on the floor of the chamber and is instead assigned a box, named the First Lady’s Box. The box is situated in the upper gallery seat and is on the right from the audience’s point of view. For years, first ladies have invited people they want to honor and highlight to their speeches. A second lady usually also sits in the box, and she can invite almost two dozen guests.
Where does Congress sit, cabinet members?
For members of Congress, the seating system is more or less first-come, first-served, which prompts many of them to arrive early. Members of Congress usually sit with their own party members, with Republicans on one side and Democrats on the other. Senators usually occupy seats closer to the front, while members of the House are placed toward the back rows.
Cabinet members usually have front row seats.
