WASHINGTON — As President Donald Trump delivered the first joint congressional address of his second term, some may have noticed a small, shiny display in front of House Speaker Mike Johnson.
What was the silver display in front of Mike Johnson during Trump’s speech to Congress?
According to the House of Representatives website, it’s a coin-silver inkstand that is placed in the rostrum before the speaker calls each session of the House to order. It was created sometime around 1815 by Jacob Leonard.
“The inkstand is considered the oldest surviving artifact of the House and was made between 1810 and 1820,” the House website said. “Although its origins are mysterious, it most likely came into the House around 1819. The inkstand is stamped with the mark of J. Leonard, a Washington silversmith and watchmaker.”
The inkstand, which is over 200 years old, contains three replacement crystal inkwells and is adorned on both sides by swags and eagles, according to the website.
“The feet of the tray take the form of fasces with snakes winding around them, classical symbols of unity and wisdom, respectively,” the House website’s description reads.
Why isn’t this speech called the State of the Union?
By tradition, a State of the Union address is intended as a look back on the prior year. Trump just took office — albeit for a second time — on Jan. 20, so he’s only been in office in his second term for just over a month.
Instead, newly inaugurated presidents typically use their first joint congressional addresses to look forward, setting a tone for their legislative agenda. According to the Congressional Research Service, the average number of policy requests in a first-year address is 42.