Trump delivers Memorial Day address at Arlington National Cemetery
On Monday, President Donald Trump honored fallen American service members during a Memorial Day ceremony at Arlington National Cemetery. In a speech that commemorated the sacrifices of the "great, great warriors," Trump also touched on politics, highlighting his efforts to "fix" the nation after four years of hard work.
Trump's tweet earlier in the day was less solemn, attacking former President Joe Biden and criticizing federal judges who have blocked his deportation initiatives. He referred to these judges as "monsters who want our country to go to hell," deviating from the usual tradition of pure solemnity on the holiday.
At Arlington National Cemetery's hallowed grounds, home to over 400,000 interred veterans, Trump shared stories of several Gold Star families and their fallen heroes. He paid tribute to Navy Senior Chief Petty Officer Shannon Kent, who perished in Syria in a 2019 suicide bombing, leaving behind her husband, a 3-year-old son, and an 18-month-old son.
Trump also recognized Air Force Senior Master Sgt. Elroy Harworth, whose plane went down in enemy territory during the Vietnam War, and Army Cpl. Ryan McGhee, who died at 21 during a firefight following the September 11 attacks.
Vice President JD Vance, speaking before Trump, urged the crowd to treat the lives of soldiers as the "most precious resource," while calling Memorial Day a solemn occasion that is not a "happy day."
During his address, Trump also previewsed a "big, big celebration" for the U.S. as it marks its 250th birthday, joking about missing the chance to celebrate for a second term.
Before his remarks, Trump placed a wreath at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, a somber tradition for U.S. presidents. As taps played, Trump paused, saluted, and was joined by Vance and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth.
Trump's unconventional tone on Memorial Day has proven controversial, with critics asserting that political commentary detracts from the solemnity of the occasion, while supporters view his statements as a reflection of his commitment to certain policy issues.
The controversy continues to swirl around President Trump as he used Memorial Day to not only honor fallen service members but also touch upon politics, criticizing federal judges and addressing immigration policies. On social media, he tweeted about Biden and his deportation initiatives, deviating from the Holiday's usual tradition of solemnity, initiating a heated debate on the appropriate discourse during such events.
