FORT BRAGG, N.C. (AP) 鈥� President celebrated the special forces members who ousted Venezuelan President Nicol谩s Maduro, saying last month’s audacious means 鈥渢he entire world saw what the full military might鈥� of the U.S. can do and ensured 鈥渨e are feared鈥� by potential enemies around the world.
Addressing soldiers and their families at Fort Bragg, one of the world’s largest military bases, Trump declared, 鈥淵our commander in chief supports you totally.鈥� Then, drawing on one of his own campaign slogans, he implored them, 鈥淲hen needed, you’re going to fight, fight, fight. You’re going to win, win, win.鈥�
The president and first lady also met privately with military families. Trump said after the meeting that 鈥渨e saw a lot of heroes鈥� and 鈥渢hese are great patriots.鈥� He said he planned to give a Medal of Honor to 鈥渙ne person鈥� for participating in the Venezuelan operation.
But the visit often felt more like a political rally than an official visit to celebrate the U.S. armed forces. Trump’s lauding of the raid that toppled Maduro came only after he called to the stage Michael Whatley, a former Republican National Committee chair who has the president’s endorsement as he now runs for Senate in North Carolina.
Whatley thanked Trump and suggested that the president 鈥渋s giving me an opportunity to represent you鈥� 鈥� even though the election isn’t until November.
Later, Trump said of the Jan. 3 raid that Maduro to face U.S. drug smuggling charges, 鈥淚t was a matter of minutes before he was on a helicopter being taken out.鈥� He called the forces involved 鈥渟ome of our greatest soldiers to ever live, frankly,鈥� while dismissing Maduro as an 鈥渙utlaw dictator.鈥�
鈥淭hat night, the entire world saw what the full military might (of) the U.S. military is capable鈥� of, the president said. 鈥淚t was so precise, so incredible.鈥�
Trump also vowed, 鈥淎s long as I鈥檓 president, we will be the best led, the best trained, the best equipped, the most disciplined and the most elite fighting force the world has ever seen鈥� and noted of would-be U.S. adversaries, 鈥淓verybody knows it.鈥�
鈥淭hey know exactly what they would be up against. Hopefully, we鈥檒l never have to test them and, because of our strength, and because of what we do, we probably won鈥檛 have to be tested,鈥� Trump said.
Even still, the president mentioned sending a to the Middle East amid rising tensions with Iran and said, 鈥淎merica’s respected again. And, perhaps most importantly, we are feared by the enemies all over the globe.鈥�
鈥淚 don’t like to say fear,鈥� he said. 鈥淏ut, sometimes, you have to have fear because that’s the only thing that really will get the situation taken care of.鈥�
Trump lately has traveled more frequently to states that could play key roles in November鈥檚 midterm congressional elections, including a . The White House has been trying to promote Trump鈥檚 economic policies, including attempts to bring down the cost of living at a time when many people are growing .
The president didn’t spend a lot of time on his economic policies on Friday, though he did mention how a White House-backed is increasing funding for military housing.
As he left the White House to make the trip, meanwhile, Trump cheered data released Friday showing that inflation fell to nearly a five-year low last month.
鈥淭he numbers were surprising, except to me they weren鈥檛 surprising,鈥� Trump said. 鈥淲e have very modest inflation, which is what you want to have.鈥�
The president also at an event meant to recognize the 250th anniversary of the Army. But that celebration was overshadowed by his partisan remarks describing protesters in as 鈥渁nimals鈥� and his defense of deploying the military there.
This time, Trump evoked the on a North Carolina commuter train and called the man accused of committing it a 鈥渕onster.鈥�
Also Friday, Trump praised Maduro’s replacement, acting Venezuelan President Delcy Rodriguez. Rather than push for elections in Venezuela, Trump says his administration is inviting top oil companies there to rebuild its energy industry. U.S. officials also have as part of their of the country’s oil industry.
鈥淭he relationship is strong, the oil is coming out,鈥� Trump told reporters before flying to North Carolina. He added: 鈥淲e have our big oil companies going in, they’re going to be pumping out the oil and selling the oil for a lot of money.鈥�
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Weissert reported from Washington.
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