President Trump pledged on Saturday to redirect the U.S. military’s focus toward defending America’s borders and compelling adversaries into diplomatic concessions during his commencement address at the United States Military Academy.
“You are winners, every single one of you,” the 78-year-old commander in chief, wearing his signature red “Make America Great Again” cap, told the 1,002 graduating cadets, who are becoming second lieutenants in the Army. “You are the first West Point graduates of the Golden Age of America.”
Trump also launched attacks on previous presidents though he did not name them. “For at least two decades, political leaders from both parties have dragged our military into missions it was never meant to be [in]. People would say, ‘Why are we doing this? Why are we wasting our time, money and souls in some cases?’” Trump said.
“They sent our warriors on nation-building crusades to nations that wanted nothing to do with us, led by leaders who didn’t have a clue in distant lands while abusing our soldiers with absurd ideological experiments,” he added. “All of that is ended,” he declared.
Several cadets were invited on stage during the speech as President Trump highlighted their accomplishments in academics, athletics, and extracurriculars—including more than two dozen Star Wreath recipients, four Rhodes Scholars, eight winners of a hypersonic rocket design competition, and the first two female graduates of West Point’s diver school, the New York Post reported.
The crowd cheered loudly for their peers and for the president’s remarks, which promised to revitalize the military. However, they were less enthusiastic during parts of the address that promoted policies of restraint. “They subjected the armed forces to all manner of social projects and political causes while leaving our borders undefended and depleting our arsenals to fight other countries’ wars,” said the president.
“But under the Trump administration, those days are over. We’re getting rid of the distractions and focusing our military on its core mission: crushing America’s adversaries, killing America’s enemies, and defending our great American flag,” he said.
“The job of the US armed forces is not to host drag shows, to transform foreign cultures, or to spread democracy to everybody around the world at the point of the gun. The military’s job is to dominate any foe and annihilate any threat to America anywhere, anytime, and anyplace,” he added, per The Post.
“A big part of that job is to be respected again, and you are, as of right now, respected more than any army anywhere in the world. My preference always will be to make peace and seek partnership, even with countries with which our differences may be profound,” he went on.
“As much as you want to fight, I’d rather do it without having to fight. I’d rather just look at them and have them fold. And that’s happening,” Trump noted further. Trump also told graduates they were among the “smartest” and “toughest” soldiers in the world and “among the most talented members of your generation.”
“Instead of sports teams, spreadsheets, and software, you chose a life of service,” Trump said. “I could not be more proud to serve you as your commander in chief.”
