Trump Addresses Army Cadets at West Point

During his opening remarks at West Point on Saturday, President Donald Trump commended the new wave of Army officers and laid out his plans for expanding the U.S. military.

He stated, “You are the first West Point graduates of America’s golden age,” referring to the 1,002 cadets entrusted with deputy assistant roles. “You’re the winners, you’re one of you.”

The 78-year-old president, donning his “Make America Great Again” cap, criticized decades of military policy while condemning the previous administration’s focus on “nation-building.” Without specifically naming anyone, Trump criticized leaders from both political parties, asserting, “We never dragged our troops into missions.”

“It’s all over,” Trump declared. “We’re eliminating distractions and zeroing in on our core mission: defeating American adversaries, neutralizing threats, and safeguarding our flag.”

A key takeaway from his speech was the announcement of a significant military buildup, which includes a $1 trillion budget plan and the creation of a new “Golden Dome” missile defense system. He promised to restore the strength of the American military.

Trump also acknowledged high-achieving cadets, including Rhodes Scholars and those honored at the Academy’s first two female diver schools.

Taking aim at what he called “social projects and political causes” infiltrating the military, Trump stated, “The role of the U.S. military isn’t to host social programs; it’s to confront and eliminate threats to America any time.”

Reflecting on his recent trip to the Middle East, he remarked that America is commanded respect globally once again. “I prefer to forge peace over conflict, but our adversaries are seeking to back down without a fight. That’s the reality we’re facing,” he noted.

He emphasized the need for resilience, saying, “I’ve done more research than Al Capone… you must fight tenaciously. Don’t let the bad guys win.”

Trump concluded his remarks urging the new officers to embrace their responsibilities.