The president’s direct appeal to the American people, and his planned trip to the border on Thursday, are meant to pressure Congress to approve $5.7 billion in funding for a border wall. Yet Mr. Trump privately acknowledged earlier Tuesday that the speech would change little.

Democratic leaders then gave their own televised address, criticizing the president for asking taxpayers to pay for a wall he had long said Mexico would fund.

Watch: The president’s speech and the Democratic response by Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Senator Chuck Schumer. (Or read the full transcripts.)

Fact check: We verified claims by Mr. Trump and the Democrats.

The Daily: On today’s episode, two Times reporters discuss the president’s address.