NEW LONDON, Conn. (AP) 鈥� told the U.S. Coast Guard Academy鈥檚 graduates on Wednesday that they show 鈥渦nbelievable heroism and exceptional selflessness鈥� but that the cadets will “be tested further鈥� as they embark on their military careers.
Trump’s remarks to the class of 2026 were the first time he has given a commencement address at one of the nation鈥檚 military academies after sending U.S. troops to fight a new war.
He told the cadets that they will be America’s 鈥渇irst defenders鈥� and 鈥渇irst responders.鈥�
鈥淵ou鈥檝e all been tested. You鈥檒l be tested further and probably at higher levels as your career goes on,鈥� Trump said.
During his address, Trump quickly touched on , now in its 12th week, as a sign of U.S. success from 鈥渢he hottest country anywhere in the world.鈥�
鈥淭he only question is, do we go ahead and finish it up or are they going to be signing a document? Let鈥檚 see what happens,鈥� Trump said.
The Republican president had threatened to launch renewed strikes on Iran this week as talks with Tehran seemed to have stalled and a fragile ceasefire appeared to be teetering. But Trump on Monday said he was giving Iran a few more days because 鈥渟erious negotiations鈥� were underway.
He has not offered details and has in the past backed away from following through on threats to Iran, citing breakthroughs in talks that have not publicly materialized.
Earlier Wednesday, he told reporters that he’s 鈥渋n no hurry鈥� to strike a deal to wrap up the war because of political concerns and the November midterm elections.
The commencement was held on a day with scorching heat and there was little shade available as the crowd waited for the ceremony to begin.
At least one person required medical attention after passing out. Others pleaded with organizers for elderly attendants to sit in the shade under tents. Chilled water bottles were distributed freely but quickly became warm.
Trump, who spoke at the academy鈥檚 graduation in 2017 during his first term, said he was proud to be the first president to give two commencement addresses at the school.
鈥淲e鈥檙e going to have to try it maybe a third time, too, to keep that record intact,鈥� Trump said Wednesday.
Trump told the cadets that they were graduating at 鈥渁n incredible, exciting time for our nation,鈥� a time he described as resurgence of national strength, morale and confidence.
As he declared 鈥淎merica is back,鈥� the president departed from what is traditionally a nonpolitical speech by the commander in chief to military graduates and shifted to critiques of his predecessors, saying the country had been 鈥渞un by foolish politicians.鈥�
He promoted his tariff policies and immigration crackdown and said that “under this administration, we don鈥檛 apologize for American power or wealth.鈥�
鈥淲hat we do really is we want to maximize it. We take advantage of it,鈥� he said. 鈥淲e unleash it, and we wield it to pursue our country鈥檚 glorious destiny and our beautiful American Dream.鈥�
The president and vice president traditionally speak at one of the military service academies every year. Vice President JD Vance is set to give the commencement address on May 28 at the U.S. Air Force Academy.
Before he flew to Connecticut, Trump told reporters that his message to the cadets would be, 鈥淛ust enjoy your life.鈥�
鈥淵ou know, you don鈥檛 really realize how important Coast Guard is until you have a hurricane,鈥� Trump said as he praised the maritime service.
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Price reported from Washington.
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