Theodore Roosevelt Presidential Library Opening Ceremony

President Donald Trump took part in a ribbon-cutting ceremony for the Theodore Roosevelt Presidential Library in Medora, North Dakota, on July 1, 2026. This event was one of many marking the 250th anniversary of American independence.

During the ceremony, Trump honored President Roosevelt with the Presidential Medal of Honor, displayed in the Roosevelt Room at the White House. Roosevelt, known as the “Rough Rider,” is the only U.S. president to have received this medal.

The event also recognized his son, Army Brigadier General Theodore Roosevelt Jr., who also received the Medal of Honor. This family achievement highlights them as one of only two father-son duos to earn the nation’s highest military distinction. Doug Burgum, the Interior Secretary who was present at the ceremony, noted that this was the first time the medals were brought together.

Among the attendees was Chief of Navy SEALs Britt Slabinski, a Medal of Honor recipient himself, awarded by Trump in 2018 for his valor during the Battle of Takurgarh in Afghanistan. Slabinski’s presence underscored the bond between generations of service members, as he witnessed the joining of the father-son medals.

Trump commented on the medal presentation, saying, “When I heard about this, I thought, ‘Let’s think about it.’ Then I saw what you did and the wonderful library you built. This is truly a library, a museum, a center, and a wonderful tribute.”

After arriving on the Freedom 250 train, Trump and Burgum toured the expansive 96,000-square-foot library, where they were met with enthusiastic cheers from supporters chanting “USA! USA! USA!”

The Freedom 250 event venue remarked, “This is a historic event celebrating the enduring legacy of President Theodore Roosevelt, whose time in North Dakota’s badlands helped shape both his character and his vision for our nation.” They added that the ceremony pays tribute to Roosevelt’s dedication to conservation, public service, and American leadership.

Post-ceremony, Trump delivered a speech at the Burning Hills Amphitheater. He hailed Roosevelt as a leader with a strong vision for America’s future who was determined to reject failure and corruption.

On a policy note, Trump mentioned Roosevelt’s achievements, sharing an experience with a digital AI version of him regarding the Panama Canal. He suggested that the U.S. might need to contemplate regaining control of the waterway to mitigate Chinese influence.