How much can change in just one year.
In 2022, US President Joe Biden delivered his State of the Union (SOTU) address flanked by fellow Democrats — Vice-President Kamala Harris and then-House speaker Nancy Pelosi.
This year, he again used the speech to Congress, which aired live in prime-time from Washington DC, to call for unity.
But the embodiment of the disunity that's likely to disrupt the final half of his first term as president was standing right behind him: Kevin McCarthy, Pelosi's Republican replacement.
After vowing not to "play games", McCarthy greeted the president with a smile.
Meanwhile, Pelosi, who is still a member for California, sat in the gallery with her colleagues — but still stood out from the crowd in a hot pink suit.
For the first time since taking office, Biden presides over divided government, something he seemed unfazed by while delivering his plan for the next two years, laying the groundwork for a second run for the presidency in 2024.
These were the biggest moments from Biden's second SOTU address.
Something went down between Mitt Romney and George Santos
The drama began before Joe Biden even entered the chamber.
As senators and members of congress filled the chamber, the new representative for New York, George Santos, took a coveted aisle seat.
The 34-year-old, who was elected in last November's midterms, is facing growing calls to resign after he admitted fabricating parts of his resume.
He is also facing multiple investigations over his campaign spending and financial reports, but he denies any wrongdoing.
He is so far refusing to step down, even as dozens of his constituents stood outside his office earlier on Wednesday calling for his resignation.
As he made his way into the chamber, Republican senator Mitt Romney passed Santos and started talking to him.
Witnesses who were standing nearby said Romney repeatedly told Santos: "You don't belong here."
Romney then calmly took his seat and waited for the president's arrival.
Biden called for unity in divided government
Joe Biden began his speech by reaching across the aisle to Republicans, citing the 300 bipartisan laws he's signed as president, including the trillion-dollar infrastructure package.
"We're often told that Democrats and Republicans can't work together," he said.
"But over these past two years, we proved the cynics and the naysayers wrong.
"Yes, we disagreed plenty. And yes, there were times when Democrats had to go it alone. But time and again, Democrats and Republicans came together."
As he approached the House rostrum, he was greeted warmly by one of the major obstacles he'll face in passing future laws: newly elected Republican House speaker Kevin McCarthy.
Ahead of the speech, McCarthy promised to abstain from the viral theatrics his predecessor — who once tore up a copy of president Donald Trump's speech — was known for.
But despite the smiles and handshakes, which vanished as Biden laid out his economic priorities, Republicans are already causing headaches for Democrats since flipping the House in November's midterm election, albeit by a slim margin.
Hecklers rejected Biden's economic vision
As Joe Biden began sharing his vision for what he called a fairer economy, the mood in the room became noticeably frostier.
When he called to close tax loopholes for billionaires and big corporations, McCarthy pointedly stayed seated as his colleagues heckled from the crowd.
The speaker shook his head in response to a pointed comment from the president about raising the US debt ceiling — a procedural task Republicans have threatened to tie to government spending cuts.
"Some of my Republican friends want to take the economy hostage unless I agree to their economic plans," Biden said, only to be met by a wave of jeers.
American politics can be a brutal business, but the annual SOTU speech is almost always a respectful affair.
So it's a bit unusual to hear shouts of "liar" and "bullshit!" echo through the chamber.
But Biden did not back down.
"All of you at home should know what their plans are," he said.
"Instead of making the wealthy pay their fair share, some Republicans want Medicare and Social Security to sunset every five years.
"That means if Congress doesn't vote to keep them, those programs will go away."
Social Security and Medicare are America's pension and healthcare programs.
Some Republicans have expressed interest in cutting both programs in the past, but McCarthy said that's "off the table" in debt ceiling negotiations.
Biden also pledged to create manufacturing jobs, invest in climate change solutions, and fight for more affordable childcare and prescription drugs, a cap on insulin prices, and reductions to student debt.
Marjorie Taylor Green's balloon stunt was popped
Joe Biden may have hoped to spruik a slight thawing in relations between the US and China in his address tonight.
His secretary of state, Antony Blinken, was due to travel to Beijing on Saturday to reinforce communication and cooperation between the two countries after years of tensions.
But the trip was called off when a Chinese reconnaissance balloon was spotted in the skies over the state of Montana.
Biden ordered fighter jets to shoot down the balloon over US territorial waters.
"I am committed to work with China where it can advance American interests and benefit the world," he said in his speech.
"But make no mistake. As we made clear last week, if China threatens our sovereignty, we will act to protect our country. And we did."
At one point, Biden veered off-script while addressing China.
"Autocracies have grown weaker, not stronger. Name me a world leader who changed places with Xi Jinping — name me one!" he shouted.
Some Republicans have said the balloon incident made Biden look weak.
Earlier in the day, Republican Marjorie Taylor Greene was spotted walking the halls of Congress with a novelty-sized white balloon.
While she wore a white dress on the House floor, she did not bring the balloon with her.
Bono and Tyre Nichols's parents: The guest list sent its own message
Member of Congress are allowed to invite guests to sit in the gallery above the House floor to watch the speech, and many used their guest lists to send pointed messages to the president.
Asian-American Democrats invited the nephew of a woman killed in the recent Monterey Park shooting and a member of the Monterey Park City Council, as well as Brandon Tsay, who disarmed the shooter.
Members of the Congressional Black Caucus chose to highlight the issue of police brutality, inviting the parents of Tyre Nichols, a black man who died after being beaten by Memphis police last month.
The chamber fell silent — then stood together as a mark of respect — when Biden paid tribute to Row Vaughn and Rodney Wells, who were seated near the first lady, Jill Biden.
"There are no words to describe the heartbreak and grief of losing a child," he said.
"But imagine what it's like to lose a child at the hands of the law.
"Imagine having to worry whether your son or daughter will come home from walking down the street or playing in the park or just driving their car."
Biden also described Mr Tsay as a "26-year-old hero", describing the courage he showed by wrestling a semi-automatic pistol from a gunman who'd already killed 11 people at a dance studio.
"He saved lives. It's time we do the same as well," he said.
"Ban assault weapons once and for all."
Other high-profile guests included U2 frontman Bono, who was invited for his activism fighting HIV/AIDS and extreme poverty; Nancy Pelosi's husband Paul, who was assaulted last year; and a Texas woman who almost died from an unsafe abortion.
Biden laid the groundwork for 2024
Joe Biden, who recently turned 80, is at a critical point in his presidency.
His second State of the Union speech needed to strike a balance between highlighting his achievements and acknowledging the real concerns of Americans — from the cost of living, to abortion rights, to his fitness to govern.
Biden's delivery of his speech could be as crucial as its contents in convincing Democrats he's ready for another gruelling presidential campaign and to govern until he's 86.
He's expected to announce his 2024 bid as soon as March or April.
If he chooses to run again, he may be hoping his fiery performance in this speech convinces voters he's got the energy for another four years.
