President Joe Biden delivers his State of the Union address to a joint session of Congress on Tuesday, March 1. Behind him are Vice President Kamala Harris, left, and House Speaker Nancy Pelosi.
In pictures: Biden's first State of the Union address
President Joe Biden delivers his State of the Union address to a joint session of Congress on Tuesday, March 1. Behind him are Vice President Kamala Harris, left, and House Speaker Nancy Pelosi.
Saul Loeb/Pool/AP

Updated 1:05 AM EST, Wed March 2, 2022

President Joe Biden delivered his first State of the Union address on Tuesday night, and he used his biggest platform of the year to blast Russian President Vladimir Putin for invading Ukraine.

"Putin's latest attack on Ukraine was premeditated and unprovoked," Biden said. "He rejected repeated, repeated, efforts at diplomacy. He thought the West and NATO wouldn't respond. He thought he could divide us at home, in this chamber and in this nation. Putin was wrong. We were ready."

Biden's speech also acknowledged the economic challenges Americans have continued to face as a result of rising inflation, global supply-chain issues and higher prices at the gas pump. The President laid out a four-point plan to lower costs for American families and continue the country's economic recovery amid the Covid-19 pandemic.

Biden also addressed the evolution of the pandemic and America's response to it. His comments came ahead of the release of a new Covid strategy document.

This was Biden's first State of the Union, but his second speech to a joint session of Congress. In April last year, he spoke in front of a House chamber that featured a masked audience and many empty seats. Because of Covid-19 restrictions, only a limited number of lawmakers were in the chamber.

A Ukrainian flag is waved in the audience while Biden speaks.
A Ukrainian flag is waved in the audience while Biden speaks.
Saul Loeb/Pool/AP
Joshua Davis, a seventh-grader from Midlothian, Virginia, stands as President Biden acknowledges him during his speech. Davis is a student-advocate for diabetes awareness.
Joshua Davis, a seventh-grader from Midlothian, Virginia, stands as President Biden acknowledges him during his speech. Davis is a student-advocate for diabetes awareness.
J. Scott Applewhite/Pool/AP
<a href="https://www.cnn.com/politics/live-news/biden-state-of-the-union-2022/h_bd65e79508d0063159fefd4c3aa0b403" target="_blank">Biden aimed to calm concerned Americans</a> who are worried about the war going on Ukraine. "I know news about what is happening can seem alarming to all Americans," he said. "What I want you to know, we're going to be OK. We're going to be OK."
Biden aimed to calm concerned Americans who are worried about the war going on Ukraine. "I know news about what is happening can seem alarming to all Americans," he said. "What I want you to know, we're going to be OK. We're going to be OK."
Julia Nikhinson/Pool/AP
During his speech, Biden <a href="https://www.cnn.com/politics/live-news/biden-state-of-the-union-2022/h_2a9a831f0a564b88cffbc1890f47aec7" target="_blank">outlined his plan</a> to emerge from the Covid-19 pandemic. He called for a bipartisan "reset" from the polarization of the last two years as the nation begins the return to normal: "Let's use this moment to reset, stop looking at Covid-19 as a partisan dividing line. See it for what it is: A God-awful disease. Let's stop seeing each other as enemies, and start seeing each other for who we are: fellow Americans."
During his speech, Biden outlined his plan to emerge from the Covid-19 pandemic. He called for a bipartisan "reset" from the polarization of the last two years as the nation begins the return to normal: "Let's use this moment to reset, stop looking at Covid-19 as a partisan dividing line. See it for what it is: A God-awful disease. Let's stop seeing each other as enemies, and start seeing each other for who we are: fellow Americans."
Win McNamee/Pool/AP
Supreme Court Justice <a href="https://www.cnn.com/2021/04/13/politics/gallery/stephen-breyer/index.html" target="_blank">Stephen Breyer</a>, who is retiring soon, reacts while being honored by Biden and applauded by his fellow justices and other audience members. Biden has nominated <a href="http://www.cnn.com/2022/02/25/politics/gallery/ketanji-brown-jackson/index.html" target="_blank">Ketanji Brown Jackson</a> to replace him.
Supreme Court Justice Stephen Breyer, who is retiring soon, reacts while being honored by Biden and applauded by his fellow justices and other audience members. Biden has nominated Ketanji Brown Jackson to replace him.
Evelyn Hockstein/Reuters/Bloomberg/Getty Images
Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene, a Republican from Georgia, reacts during Biden's speech.
Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene, a Republican from Georgia, reacts during Biden's speech.
Win McNamee/Pool/AP
Biden said in his speech that communities shouldn't have to "choose between safety and equal justice" <a href="https://www.cnn.com/politics/live-news/biden-state-of-the-union-2022/h_210fe93e93337adf95830722c99bcd23" target="_blank">when it comes to policing.</a> He noted that the American Rescue Plan includes "$350 billion that cities, states, and counties can use to hire more police and invest in more proven strategy." He added: "We should all agree the answer is not to defund the police. It's to fund the police."
Biden said in his speech that communities shouldn't have to "choose between safety and equal justice" when it comes to policing. He noted that the American Rescue Plan includes "$350 billion that cities, states, and counties can use to hire more police and invest in more proven strategy." He added: "We should all agree the answer is not to defund the police. It's to fund the police."
Sarahbeth Maney/The New York Times/Pool/AP
Oksana Markarova, the Ukrainian ambassador to the United States, is applauded while standing next to first lady Jill Biden. "She's bright, she's strong, she's resolved," the President said as <a href="https://www.cnn.com/politics/live-news/biden-state-of-the-union-2022/h_d0cfc605feb5b2f5687c2b6ae1a55a73" target="_blank">he recognized her in his speech.</a> "Yes. We the United States of America stand with the Ukrainian people."
Oksana Markarova, the Ukrainian ambassador to the United States, is applauded while standing next to first lady Jill Biden. "She's bright, she's strong, she's resolved," the President said as he recognized her in his speech. "Yes. We the United States of America stand with the Ukrainian people."
J. Scott Applewhite/Pool/AP
Pelosi and Harris applaud during Biden's speech. It's <a href="https://www.cnn.com/politics/live-news/biden-state-of-the-union-2022/h_1e0eb033be0da9ec202ddd791b3db8ee" target="_blank">the first time</a> two women have been behind the President during an official State of the Union.
Pelosi and Harris applaud during Biden's speech. It's the first time two women have been behind the President during an official State of the Union.
Shawn Thew/AP
Facebook whistleblower Frances Haugen, right, stands while being introduced during Biden's speech. She <a href="https://www.cnn.com/2021/10/04/tech/facebook-whistleblower-frances-haugen-what-we-know/index.html" target="_blank">made headlines last fall</a> when she revealed practices by her former employer, Facebook, that jeopardized safety and security. Haugen testified before Congress on the internal workings of the social media giant, advocating for changes in policies and protection for vulnerable groups, including teenagers.
Facebook whistleblower Frances Haugen, right, stands while being introduced during Biden's speech. She made headlines last fall when she revealed practices by her former employer, Facebook, that jeopardized safety and security. Haugen testified before Congress on the internal workings of the social media giant, advocating for changes in policies and protection for vulnerable groups, including teenagers.
Al Drago/Bloomberg/Getty Images
Biden's speech plays on a television at a bar in Washington, DC.
Biden's speech plays on a television at a bar in Washington, DC.
Eric Lee/Bloomberg/Getty Images
Sen. Joe Manchin, a Democrat from West Virginia, stands and applauds as he sits among Republican senators in the House chamber.
Sen. Joe Manchin, a Democrat from West Virginia, stands and applauds as he sits among Republican senators in the House chamber.
J. Scott Applewhite/Pool/AP
Biden presents copies of his speech to Harris and Pelosi.
Biden presents copies of his speech to Harris and Pelosi.
Saul Loeb/Pool/AP
Biden greets Justice Breyer.
Biden greets Justice Breyer.
J. Scott Applewhite/Pool/AP
Biden arrives in the House chamber to deliver his speech.
Biden arrives in the House chamber to deliver his speech.
Saul Loeb/Pool/AP
Secretary of State Antony Blinken, left, talks to Supreme Court Justice Brett Kavanaugh before Biden's speech.
Secretary of State Antony Blinken, left, talks to Supreme Court Justice Brett Kavanaugh before Biden's speech.
Win McNamee/AP
Harris and Pelosi react as Biden enters the chamber.
Harris and Pelosi react as Biden enters the chamber.
Sarah Silbiger/Bloomberg/Getty Images
US Rep. Terri Sewell takes a picture with fellow Democratic representatives Lisa Blunt Rochester, Hakeem Jeffries and Brenda Lawrence. They were wearing blue and yellow, the colors of Ukraine's flag.
US Rep. Terri Sewell takes a picture with fellow Democratic representatives Lisa Blunt Rochester, Hakeem Jeffries and Brenda Lawrence. They were wearing blue and yellow, the colors of Ukraine's flag.
Evelyn Hockstein/Pool/Reuters
Harris walks to the House chamber followed by Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer and Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell.
Harris walks to the House chamber followed by Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer and Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell.
Tom Williams/CQ-Roll Call/Getty Images
Rep. Lauren Boebert, a Republican from Colorado, wears an outfit reading "drill baby drill" as she arrives in the chamber.
Rep. Lauren Boebert, a Republican from Colorado, wears an outfit reading "drill baby drill" as she arrives in the chamber.
Win McNamee/Getty Images
The House chamber is seen ahead of Biden's speech.
The House chamber is seen ahead of Biden's speech.
Jim Lo Scalzo/Pool/Getty Images
House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy wears a Ukrainian flag inside the chamber.
House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy wears a Ukrainian flag inside the chamber.
Jim Lo Scalzo/Pool/Getty Images
Biden <a href="https://twitter.com/POTUS/status/1498818723800616965" target="_blank" target="_blank">shared this photo</a> ahead of his speech. "Folks, I'm delivering my first State of the Union address tonight," he said. "I'll be discussing the progress we've made together over the last year and my vision to build a better America."
Biden shared this photo ahead of his speech. "Folks, I'm delivering my first State of the Union address tonight," he said. "I'll be discussing the progress we've made together over the last year and my vision to build a better America."
The White House
Members of a hazardous materials response team gather in the Capitol ahead of the State of the Union address.
Members of a hazardous materials response team gather in the Capitol ahead of the State of the Union address.
Sarah Silbiger/Bloomberg/Getty Images
The streets surrounding the Capitol are closed off by law enforcement.
The streets surrounding the Capitol are closed off by law enforcement.
Samuel Corum/Getty Images