President Donald Trump received a warm reception at the U.S. Military Academy in West Point, N.Y., on Saturday, where he delivered a commencement address to over 1,000 graduating cadets.
With a speech from Trump, one can never predict the content, as his remarks often stem from genuine emotion rather than solely relying on a teleprompter, unlike many of his predecessors.
In his address, Trump pledged that the United States military would be redirected towards safeguarding the homeland and compelling adversaries to yield diplomatically.
“You are all winners, every one of you,” the commander in chief remarked to the cadets, who are set to graduate as second lieutenants in the Army. “You are the inaugural West Point graduates of America’s Golden Age.”
Clad in a suit and his distinctive red Make America Great Again cap, he directed a pointed critique at his predecessors.
“For at least two decades, political leaders from both parties have entangled our military in missions it was never intended to undertake. People would ask, ‘Why are we engaging in this? Why are we squandering our time, resources, and in some instances, our very souls?’” the president remarked.
“They dispatched our warriors on nation-building endeavors in countries that had no interest in us, led by leaders who were utterly clueless in far-off lands, while subjecting our soldiers to ridiculous ideological experiments,” he stated. “All of that has come to an end.”
“The president stated, ‘They imposed various social initiatives and political agendas on the armed forces, all the while neglecting the defense of our borders and exhausting our military resources to engage in conflicts that are not our own.’”
“However, during the Trump administration, those times have come to an end. We are eliminating distractions and concentrating our military on its primary objective: defeating America’s adversaries, eliminating America’s enemies, and safeguarding our esteemed American flag,” stated the commander-in-chief.
“The role of the US armed forces is not to host drag performances, alter foreign cultures, or impose democracy on everyone globally through force. The military’s responsibility is to overpower any opponent and eradicate any threat to America at any time, in any location,” Trump elaborated.
“A significant aspect of that responsibility is to regain respect, and as of now, you are regarded with more esteem than any military force worldwide,” the president remarked.
“My consistent preference will be to pursue peace and foster partnerships, even with nations where our differences may be significant,” he expressed.
“As much as you may desire to engage in combat, I would prefer to achieve resolution without conflict. I would rather simply gaze at them and witness their capitulation. And that is occurring,” Trump further commented.
The president advocated for his proposal of a “golden dome” missile defense system and stated that the military would also concentrate on safeguarding the nation’s borders.
“A primary objective of our military is to defend our own borders against invasion. Our nation has faced invasions over the past four years,” remarked Trump.
He commended the cadets for their decision to serve their country, asserting that they are “among the most skilled individuals of your generation.”
“Rather than engaging in sports teams, spreadsheets, and software, you opted for a life dedicated to service,” he expressed. “I could not be prouder to serve you as your commander in chief.”
Trump further mentioned that during his visit to the Middle East, he was informed that “the United States of America is experiencing unprecedented heat, and just a year ago, it was as cold as it could be. Indeed, we have the hottest country in the world, and the entire globe is discussing it. I eagerly anticipate the glory that lies ahead.”
The president assured the cadets that they would “experience victory after victory after victory, and that is what you will achieve as you receive your commissions.”