President Trump set to give commencement address to West Point graduates
President Donald Trump delivered his first military commencement address since returning to office in Washington. The Republican president spoke to West Point’s graduating class on Saturday morning, addressing the cadets as they take their next steps in their military careers.
In his previous commencement address at West Point in 2020, Trump urged the graduating cadets to “never forget” the soldiers who fought a war over slavery. This speech came at a time when the nation was grappling with issues of race following the death of George Floyd in Minneapolis. Trump also paid tribute to the military academy’s rich history and its distinguished alumni, such as Douglas MacArthur and Dwight D. Eisenhower.
The ceremony in 2020 drew scrutiny as the Military Academy required graduating cadets, who had been home due to the COVID-19 pandemic, to return to an area near a pandemic hot spot. Despite this controversy, Trump’s address was well-received by the cadets and attendees.
Recently, Trump spoke at the University of Alabama’s commencement, where he mixed traditional commencement themes with political attacks against his predecessor, Joe Biden. He also touched on topics such as transgender athletes and the 2020 election, spreading misinformation along the way.
Vice President JD Vance also addressed the graduating class at the U.S. Naval Academy in Annapolis, Maryland, emphasizing Trump’s efforts to provide U.S. soldiers with clear goals and missions. Vance highlighted the importance of moving away from undefined missions and open-ended conflicts of the past.
Overall, Trump’s military commencement address at West Point was a significant event for the graduating cadets and the military community. His words of encouragement and recognition of the sacrifices made by soldiers resonated with the audience, marking a memorable occasion for all in attendance.
