President Donald Trump speaks to United States Military Academy graduating cadets during commencement ceremonies in West Point, N.Y., Saturday, May 24, 2025. (AP Photo/Manuel Balce Ceneta)
President Donald Trump delivered his first military commencement address of his second term on Saturday, commending West Point cadets for their academic and physical achievements while sharply shifting into political discourse, taking credit for America's military strength and touting the “mandate” he claims to have secured in the 2024 presidential election.
“In just a few moments, you will be graduates of the most prestigious and legendary military academy in human history,” Trump stated during the ceremony held at Michie Stadium. “You will emerge as officers of the most formidable and powerful army the world has ever seen. And I can attest to that because I revitalized that army, and I enhanced the military like no one has ever done in my first term.”
Donning a red “Make America Great Again” hat, the Republican president informed the 1,002 graduating cadets that the U.S. is the “most exciting country in the world,” bragged about his administration's successes, and emphasized a clear America First mentality for the U.S. military, which he labeled “the greatest fighting force in history.”
Trump stated, “We are eliminating distractions and refocusing our military on its primary mission: defeating America’s foes, taking down America’s enemies, and defending our magnificent American flag like never before.” He went on to say, “The role of the U.S. Armed Forces is not to organize drag shows or reshape foreign cultures,” about the drag shows on military installations that were discontinued by the Biden administration after backlash from Republicans.
Trump remarked that the cadets were graduating at a “pivotal moment” in the Army’s history, as he criticized previous political leaders for guiding soldiers into “nation-building efforts in countries that had no interest in us.” He claimed he was removing transgender concepts, “critical race theory,” and what he defined as divisive and political training from the military.
He accused past administrations of subjecting the armed forces to various social initiatives and political agendas while neglecting to protect our borders and depleting our resources to engage in other nations' conflicts.
Parts of his speech at the military academy's football stadium resembled a political address. Trump asserted that when he departed the White House in 2021, “there were no wars, no issues, and nothing but achievements, with the most remarkable economy.” He emphasized that he secured victories in all seven battleground states during the November election, contending that these outcomes provided him with a “strong mandate” and “provide us the authority to pursue our objectives.”
However, Trump also took time to recognize the accomplishments of individual graduates. He invited one cadet, Chris Verdugo, to the stage, highlighting that he accomplished an 18.5-mile march on a frigid January night in just two hours and 30 minutes. He asked the top-ranking lacrosse team to stand for acknowledgment. Trump also called up West Point's football quarterback, Bryson Daily, commending his "steel"-like shoulder. He later used Daily as an example to argue against transgender women competing in women's sports.
In keeping with presidential traditions, Trump pardoned approximately six cadets who had encountered disciplinary issues.
“You had the freedom to choose any path, you could have pursued any career,” Trump told the graduating class, adding: “Securing prestigious positions on Wall Street or in Silicon Valley wouldn’t be a bad choice, but I believe what you’re doing is far more admirable.”
The president also shared several pieces of guidance for the graduating cadets, encouraging them to pursue their passions, think ambitiously, work diligently, cherish their culture, maintain faith in America, and embrace risks.
“This is a period of remarkable transformation, and we cannot afford a military leadership filled with opportunists and conformists,” Trump stated, further emphasizing the latest developments in military technology. “What we require are patriots with courage, insight, and resilience.”
Trump concluded his address by urging the graduating cadets to “never ever give up,” and then mentioned that he was departing to address issues related to Russia and China.
“We're going to continue winning, this nation will keep succeeding, and with your help, the task becomes easy,” he remarked.
Just outside the campus, around thirty protesters assembled before the ceremony, waving small American flags. One individual in the group held a sign that read “Support Our Veterans” and “Stop the Cuts,” while others displayed plastic buckets with the slogan: “Go Army Beat Fascism.”
During the peak of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, Trump delivered the commencement speech at West Point. He encouraged the graduating cadets to "always remember" the soldiers who fought in a war concerning slavery, coinciding with the nation confronting its racial history following the death of George Floyd in Minneapolis.
Trump also honored the military academy's legacy and its notable alumni, such as Douglas MacArthur and Dwight D. Eisenhower. The graduation event five years ago faced criticism because the U.S. Military Academy mandated that the graduating cadets, who had been at home due to COVID-19, return to an area close to a hotspot for the pandemic.
Earlier this month, Trump visited Tuscaloosa, Alabama, to address the graduating class at the University of Alabama. His speech combined typical commencement themes and advice with political criticisms of his predecessor, Democratic President Joe Biden, comments on transgender athletes, and falsehoods about the 2020 election.
On Friday, Vice President JD Vance addressed the graduating class at the U.S. Naval Academy in Annapolis, Maryland. In his speech, Vance stated that Trump is committed to ensuring U.S. soldiers are sent on clear missions instead of the “undefined missions” and “open-ended conflicts” seen in previous years.
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