Overview
- President Trump delivered the commencement address to 1,002 graduates at West Point, calling them 'winners' and the first graduates of the 'Golden Age of America.'
- He criticized past administrations for engaging in prolonged military conflicts and pledged to focus on clear, decisive objectives for U.S. military engagements.
- Trump touted a proposed near-$1 trillion defense budget and announced plans for the $175 billion Golden Dome missile defense shield, aimed at countering threats from China and Russia.
- The administration has eliminated diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) programs in the military, disbanding related student clubs and removing certain materials from academy libraries.
- Vice President JD Vance, in a related Naval Academy address, reinforced the administration’s commitment to avoiding open-ended conflicts and using military power with discipline.