Trump’s Coast Guard Commencement Speech

President Donald Trump returned to New London, Connecticut, to deliver a commencement address at the United States Coast Guard Academy. This marked his second time speaking at the academy as commander in chief.

Speaking to the graduates, Trump expressed excitement over being the first president to give a second keynote address at the academy. “I’m thrilled to become the first president to ever give a second keynote address to this storied institution,” he said to the graduates, dressed in their uniforms.

Contrary to Trump’s claim, both Bill Clinton and George W. Bush previously delivered two commencement speeches at this location. Barack Obama did as well during his presidency.

The president highlighted the contributions of the Coast Guard during the Iran war. The cadets responded with reserved applause.

Trump’s previous address at the academy was in 2017, a time when his presidency faced different challenges. Despite the changes over the years, his message resonated with a familiar theme. In 2017, he urged cadets to “put your head down and fight, fight, fight.” He echoed a similar sentiment in his recent speech, encouraging them to face any dangers head-on.