Trump to Military Grads: You’re Joining the World’s Greatest Army

Reports from the United States Military Academy at West Point indicate that President Donald Trump delivered the commencement address to the graduating cadets on Saturday. The event marked the first military graduation address of his second term. In his address, Trump lauded the cadets for their academic and physical achievements and extolled the strength of the American military, a strength he credited to his administration’s efforts.

The President’s words. “In a few moments, you’ll become graduates of the most elite and storied military academy in human history,” Trump said. “And you will become officers of the greatest and most powerful army the world has ever known. And I know, because I rebuilt that army, and I rebuilt the military. And we rebuilt it like nobody has ever rebuilt it before in my first term.”

The President used the platform to emphasize his administration’s achievements and policies, with a distinct America First ethos. “We’re getting rid of distractions and we’re focusing our military on its core mission: crushing America’s adversaries, killing America’s enemies and defending our great American flag like it has never been defended before,” he said.

This development follows earlier reports that the President has critiqued social and political projects undertaken by previous administrations within the Armed Forces. “They subjected the armed forces to all manner of social projects and political causes while leaving our borders undefended and depleting our arsenals to fight other countries’ wars,” he said.

The President also took the opportunity to celebrate the individual achievements of several cadets, inviting some on stage to recognize their accomplishments. Additionally, he pardoned a number of cadets who had faced disciplinary infractions, in line with presidential tradition.

Trump offered advice to the young graduates, encouraging them to pursue their passions, uphold their culture, and maintain faith in America. The President concluded his address by assuring the cadets of America’s continued success and stating his imminent departure to attend to matters involving Russia and China.

While many applaud the President’s strong support for the military, others gathered outside the campus in a peaceful demonstration carrying signs with messages of support for veterans and against fascism.

This is not the first time Trump has given the commencement address at West Point. In 2020, he spoke to graduating cadets amidst the COVID-19 pandemic, paying tribute to the military academy’s history and its renowned graduates. The event drew attention due to the academy’s decision to summon cadets back to an area near a pandemic hotspot.