ANNAPOLIS, Md. (AP) — President Donald Trump stressed the United States’ military might as he addressed graduates at the United States Naval Academy Friday, saying the “best way to prevent war is to be fully prepared for war.”
Trump spoke to the 2018 graduating class in Annapolis, stressing American military preparedness a day after he canceled a planned summit with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un.
“Our country has regained the respect that we used to have long ago,” said Trump, who did not mention North Korea in his remarks. “Yes, they are respecting us again. America is back.” Trump said that “we will have the strongest military that we ever had.” He added “and when did we ever need it more?”
The President drew a mixed response as he spoke to 1,042 newly commissioned ensigns and second lieutenants, drawing applause and silence at times as he emphasized his efforts to boost federal defense spending. Said Trump, “We have begun the great rebuilding of the U.S. military.”
“We know that the best way to prevent war is to be fully prepared for war and hopefully we never have to use all of this beautiful new powerful new equipment,” Trump said.
“Together there is nothing Americans can’t do, absolutely nothing,” Trump added. “In recent years, and even decades, too many people have forgotten that truth. They’ve forgotten that our ancestors trounced an empire, tamed a continent, and triumphed over the worst evils in history.”
He continued: “America is the greatest fighting force for peace, justice and freedom in the history of the world. We have become a lot stronger lately. We are not going to apologize for America. We are going to stand up for America.”
According to Newsweek, “Before Europeans arrived in what became the United States, Native Americans occupied the land” and committed genocide against the natives under the guise of “manifest destiny.” The belief that expansion of the U.S. was their God-given right by any means necessary. Additionally, in “1830, President Andrew Jackson signed the Indian Removal Act, which led to the deaths of thousands of Native Americans,” Newsweek reported. Before that, millions of African people were forcibly brought to the Americas during the Transatlantic slave trade that accounted for the deaths of millions over several centuries.
Trump continued to praise the military, saying of the Navy “you don’t give up, you don’t give in.” He also stressed his commitment to veterans.
At the conclusion of his remarks, Trump said he planned to remain at the graduation to shake each graduate’s hand.
Before leaving for the address, Trump said on Twitter he looked “forward to being with some of the greatest people on earth!”
This marked Trump’s first time speaking to the academy’s graduating class. Last year, Trump addressed the Coast Guard Academy.
Naturally, Trump’s speech drew strong reactions, mostly to his indifference of America’s past of “taming” certain groups of people.
Donald Trump's dad's parents were German immigrants and his mother was an immigrant from Scotland. He married two immigrant women who are the mothers of four of his five children. His ancestors didn't "tame" anything! He needs to eat some bratwurst & sauerkraut and be quiet!
— Diane Powell #VoteBlue (@Brunhildagis) May 26, 2018
Trump's ancestor arrived in US FLEEING his CIVIC DUTIES. Grandpop came to US to avoid paying taxes and serving (peace time) military duty. Trump's ancestor pimped women and squatted on land he didn't own to steal his fortune. Trump's ancestor didn't tame, he exploited.
— objkshn (@objkshn) May 26, 2018
Just because genocide happened does not mean that is why Trump was referring to when he said "tame".
— KaliforniaKommieKanew (@KommieKanew) May 27, 2018
https://twitter.com/Cabbig82/status/1000640539912523776
https://twitter.com/BarbaraTracy_7/status/1000730435045949440
https://twitter.com/JimJamJim123/status/1000581210521907200
Unless the continent he's referencing is "Europe," Trump's "wrong*. His paternal grandfather emigrated from Germany in 1880, well after the country had seen two/three waves of settlement. His mother emigrated from Scotland in 1930. So no his ancestors did NOT tame THIS continent.
— Brian Thornton is writing…why the Hell aren’t you? (@bthorntonwriter) May 26, 2018
We didn't tame a continent. We stole it with lethal force and built it with slave labor. And anyone who doesn't think that merits an apology shouldn't be allowed to live here.
Donald Trump is a white supremacist. Pay attention. https://t.co/babxFM5PN9
— Crystal The Pistol (She/Her) (@TheNativeAngel) May 26, 2018
Trump's ancestors did not "tame" a continent. The first one hit America in 1883. This is the big lie that #MAGA racists & their blood & soil Nazi brethren use to establish & maintain white supremacy & the myth that the US is their God-given homeland.
— Scudbot (@scudworx) May 26, 2018
Associated Press contributed to this story.
