Trump to Naval Academy grads: ‘America is back’

ANNAPOLIS, Md. — President Donald Trump stressed U.S. military might as he addressed graduates at the Naval Academy on Friday, saying the “best way to prevent war is to be fully prepared for war.”

Trump spoke to the 2018 graduating class in Annapolis, stressing American military preparedness a day after he canceled a planned summit with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un.

“Our country has regained the respect that we used to have long ago,” said Trump, who did not mention North Korea in his remarks. “Yes, they are respecting us again. America is back.”

Trump drew a mixed response as he spoke to 1,042 newly commissioned ensigns and second lieutenants, drawing applause and silence at times as he emphasized his efforts to boost federal defense spending.

Said Trump: “We have begun the great rebuilding of the U.S. military.”

“We know that the best way to prevent war is to be fully prepared for war, and hopefully we never have to use all of this beautiful new, powerful new equipment,” Trump said.

At the conclusion of his remarks, Trump said that he planned to remain at the graduation to shake each graduate’s hand.

Before leaving for the address, Trump said on Twitter said he looks “forward to being with some of the greatest people on earth!”

This marked Trump’s first time speaking to the academy’s graduating class. Last year, Trump addressed the Coast Guard Academy.

While praising the dedication and accomplishments of the Navy and Marine Corps’ newest officers, Trump did repeat this assertion regarding military pay: “We just got to a big pay raise for the first time in 10 years. We got to a big pay increase, first time in over 10 years.”

Service members have received annual pay raises for decades.

RELATED

Benefits basics: Your military pay

Your pay rate, your raise ... and what could be in store for next year.

By Leo Shane III

Trump also stated that the Navy would “very soon ... get to 355 beautiful ships,” though forecasts don’t call for that number to be reached until the 2050s.

In Other News

The man who made Belleau Wood — and the Marine Corps — immortal

Floyd Gibbons made history when his dispatch got past the wartime censor.

Vets advocates push Supreme Court to dump laws punishing homelessness

A case being considered by the Supreme Court could have far-reaching impact on efforts to help homeless veterans.

Special Forces soldiers in NW Florida still awaiting child care center

A decision on whether Special Forces families will get a child development center at Camp "Bull" Simons, Florida, may arrive in the coming weeks.

Former USS Howard CO was fired after ‘racially harassing comments’

The Navy relieved Cmdr. Cameron Dennis in February, just a few months after he assumed command of the Japan-based warship.

MacArthur still endures as a larger-than-life figure — for good or ill

Few subjects in military history are more loaded than public perception of Douglas MacArthur.

US Naval Community College launches health science program

The Navy’s community college is partnering with Western Governors University to provide sailors with an associate degree in health science.

January 6 convict asks for light sentence in order to remain in Navy

An active-duty service member convicted in the Jan. 6, 2021, attack urged a judge for a light sentence in order to remain in the Navy.

Agreement helps military spouses keep federal jobs in overseas moves

Here's how an agreement between the Pentagon and State Department will help federally employed military spouses move their jobs overseas in a PCS.

Navy ship underway for Gaza pier mission suffers fire, returns to US

The cargo ship 2nd Lt. John P. Bobo suffered a fire in its engine room Thursday, forcing it to return to Florida, the Navy said.

VA to largely end animal testing on dogs, cats within two years

The Department of Veterans Affairs is slated to largely end testing on dogs, cats and nonhuman primates within the next two years.

Load More