State of the Union updates: Trump spars with Dems, touts economy and immigration

The president appeared to reference the killing of Jalisco New Generation Cartel leader Nemesio Oseguera Cervantes, better known as "El Mencho."

The Mexican army killed Oseguera Cervantes on Sunday during an attempt to capture him in the western state of Jalisco. Both Mexico and the United States confirmed that there was U.S. intelligence support for the operation.

"We've also taken down one of the most sinister cartel kingpins of all. You saw that yesterday," Trump said.

Some 70 people died in the operation and violence that erupted after it.

Trump delivered a message to Iran as tensions continue to build in the region.

"They were warned to make no future attempts to rebuild their weapons program, in particular nuclear weapons, yet they continue, starting it all over," Trump said. "We wiped it out, and they want to start all over again, and are, at this moment, again pursuing their sinister ambitions."

"We are in negotiations with them. They want to make a deal, but we haven't heard those secret words, 'We will never have a nuclear weapon.'"

"My preference is to solve this problem through diplomacy. But one thing is certain, I will never allow the world's number one sponsor of terror, which they are by far, to have a nuclear weapon," he continued.

At least a dozen Democrats have exited the chamber by 10:24 p.m., roughly an hour into the speech.

Many of the members have left individually from time to time during the speech.

Earlier in his speech, Trump paid respect to assassinated conservative host Charlie Kirk, and paid tribute to his widow Erika.

Members applauded her with a chant of "Charlie, Charlie."

"In Charlie's memory we must call come together to reaffirm that America is one nation under God, and we must totally reject political violence," Trump said.