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Trump gives West Point address amid tensions with military leaders Trump gives West Point address amid tensions with military leaders
(about 4 hours later)
President’s visit to military academy also faces protest over bringing graduates back during coronavirus pandemic President’s visit to military academy also faced protest over bringing graduates back during coronavirus pandemic
At West Point on Saturday Donald Trump will deliver a speech controversial by its very occurrence and due to tensions between the president and leaders of the US armed forces. Donald Trump’s address to graduates at West Point on Saturday was controversial both by its very occurrence and due to tensions between the president and leaders of the US armed forces.
With New York state only beginning its reopening after the coronavirus outbreak, Trump will address graduates at the United States Military Academy, 40 miles up the Hudson river from New York City. Cadets recalled to the United States Military Academy despite the coronavirus pandemic listened to a commander-in-chief at odds with senior generals over the army’s role in relation to protests over racial justice and the celebration of the Confederacy, which fought to preserve slavery in America.
The city has been a global hotspot for Covid-19, recording more than 213,000 cases and more than 21,000 deaths. In the event, Trump was introduced by Lt Gen Darryl A Williams, the first African American superintendent of West Point, and his speech, delivered in somnolent tones, mostly steered clear of controversy.
Across the US, graduation ceremonies and commencement speeches have taken place online. But the 1,100 graduating cadets at West Point, who had been at home since early March, just before lockdowns began, were brought back to campus late last month. Trump did refer to the civil war. But he referred only to those West Point graduates who fought for the Union between 1861 and 1865. They were, he said, “American patriots … who fought a bloody war to extinguish the evil of slavery within one lifetime of our founding.”
They immediately underwent coronavirus testing and more than 15 who tested positive were isolated for two weeks before rejoining their classmates. Trump also saluted graduates who “led America to victory over the sinister Nazis and imperial fascists” in the second world war, and those he said were “at the forefront of ending the terrible injustice of segregation”.
Some have decried the decision to bring the graduating second lieutenants back to campus to hear the president speak during a public health crisis. A group called Veterans For Peace announced a protest outside West Point’s main gate on Saturday, against what it called “Trump’s dangerous narcissistic Photo-Op Stunt at the West Point Graduation”. Under the coronavirus pandemic, which has killed nearly 115,000 Americans, graduation ceremonies across the US have taken place online. West Point is only 50 miles north of New York City, the epicenter of the pandemic, and cadets had been at home since early March.
Further strain has been placed on what would normally be one of the showpiece events of US public life by Trump’s pronouncements and actions in regard to widespread civil unrest over the killing of George Floyd by police in Minneapolis. In order for Trump to give his speech in person, seniors were brought back to campus. They underwent coronavirus testing and more than 15 who were found to have the virus entered isolation for two weeks.
Many observers decried the decision and a group called Veterans For Peace announced a protest outside West Point’s main gate on Saturday, against what it called “Trump’s dangerous narcissistic photo-op stunt”. In the event, the protest passed peacefully.
Trump has famously refused to wear a mask or follow other precautionary measures. The cadets wore masks as they marched on to the parade field, which was used instead of Michie Stadium, the usual commencement venue. Cadets then removed their masks but sat 6ft apart, following social distancing guidelines. Instead of shaking hands with the president, as is traditional, graduates saluted before the main dais. Guests were not allowed.
“What has historically made America unique,” Trump told the cadets, “is the durability of its institutions against the passions and prejudices of the moment. When times are turbulent, when the road is rough, what matters most is that which is permanent, timeless, enduring and eternal.”
Nonetheless, the president made references to campaign themes. In reference to the coronavirus, he thanked “members of America’s armed forces in every branch, active duty, national guard and reserve who step forward to help battle the invisible enemy”. A leader roundly criticised for his failure to contain the outbreak also referred to Covid-19 as “the new virus that came to our shores from a distant land called China”.
“The survival of America and the endurance of civilization,” Trump said “… depends on people who love their country. It depends on citizens who build sustain nurture and defend institutions like this one.”
He also stressed that the cadets should see themselves as instruments of his America First foreign policy, promoted his policy of increased spending, and spoke glowingly of his much-hyped “Space Force”.
“It is not the duty of US troops to solve ancient conflicts in faraway lands that many people have never even heard of,” Trump said. “We are not the policeman of the world. But let our enemies be on notice. If our people are threatened we will never ever hesitate to act. And when we fight from now on. We will only fight to win.”
Further strain had been placed on one of the showpiece events of US public life by Trump’s pronouncements and actions in regard to widespread civil unrest over the killing of George Floyd by police in Minneapolis.
The president both threatened to use active duty troops against protesters and staged a controversial photo op at St John’s church, near the White House, before which peaceful demonstrators were teargassed and attacked by federal officers.The president both threatened to use active duty troops against protesters and staged a controversial photo op at St John’s church, near the White House, before which peaceful demonstrators were teargassed and attacked by federal officers.
Gen Mark Milley, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, and the defense secretary, Mark Esper, joined Trump on his walk to the church. Both have said they should not have done so. Gen Mark Milley, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, and the defense secretary, Mark Esper, joined Trump on his walk to the church. Both then risked Trump’s wrath by saying they should not have done so.
On Thursday, in a video address to graduates of the National Defense University, Milley said it had been “a mistake” to accompany Trump because his appearance fueled the perception of the military becoming embroiled in politics, in his view, shared by Esper, a threat to democracy itself. The photo op drew extraordinary rebukes from senior soldiers including James Mattis, a former secretary of defense; Mike Mullen, a former chair of the joint chiefs; and John Allen, a former commander of forces in Afghanistan.
An extraordinary expression of regret by the president’s chief military adviser, it came after extraordinary rebukes from senior soldiers including James Mattis, a former secretary of defense; Mike Mullen, a former chair of the joint chiefs; and John Allen, a former commander of forces in Afghanistan. Trump also contradicted military leaders this week when he said he would not consider renaming military bases currently named for Confederate generals.
Trump also contradicted senior military leaders when he said he would not consider renaming military bases currently named for Confederate generals. The Confederacy fought to maintain slavery. It was defeated – a fact which did not stop Trump claiming the generals’ names stood for “Winning, Victory, and Freedom” – but major bases including Fort Hood, in Texas; Fort Bragg, in North Carolina; and Fort Benning, in Georgia, remain named for Confederate leaders.
In the American civil war, from 1861 to 1865, the Confederacy fought against the federal government in an attempt to maintain slavery. It was defeated – a fact which didn’t stop Trump claiming the generals’ names stood for “Winning, Victory, and Freedom” – but major bases including Fort Hood, in Texas; Fort Bragg, in North Carolina; and Fort Benning, in Georgia, remain named for Confederate generals. West Point has a barracks named for Robert E Lee, the most famous Confederate general.
West Point has a barracks named for Robert E Lee, the most famous Confederate general who graduated from the academy. This week, more than 500 graduates signed an open letter reminding the class of 2020 of their commitment to avoiding partisan politics.
Neither Esper nor Milley was expected to accompany Trump on Saturday. Esper was scheduled to deliver videotaped remarks.
This week, more than 500 West Point graduates from classes spanning six decades signed an open letter reminding the class of 2020 of their commitment to avoiding partisan politics.
“Sadly, the government has threatened to use the army in which you serve as a weapon against fellow Americans engaging in these legitimate protests,” the graduates wrote in the letter, which was published on Medium.“Sadly, the government has threatened to use the army in which you serve as a weapon against fellow Americans engaging in these legitimate protests,” the graduates wrote in the letter, which was published on Medium.
“Worse, military leaders, who took the same oath you take today, have participated in politically charged events. The principle of civilian control is central to the military profession. But that principle does not imply blind obedience.”“Worse, military leaders, who took the same oath you take today, have participated in politically charged events. The principle of civilian control is central to the military profession. But that principle does not imply blind obedience.”
On Saturday, Trump tweeted that he was “soon heading to West Point Graduation to give the Commencement Address … Enjoy!” Neither Esper nor Milley accompanied Trump on Saturday. Esper and secretary of state Mike Pompeo, both West Point graduates, delivered remarks by video.
He then returned to tweeting abuse of Joe Biden, his presumptive opponent in the election in November; claims that protesters over Floyd’s death are from the radical left; and ridicule of hosts and pundits from CNN and MSNBC. The Associated Press contributed to this report
Trump has famously refused to wear a mask in public or follow other precautionary measures against the coronavirus. The West Point cadets will wear masks as they march on to the parade field, which will be used instead of Michie Stadium, the usual commencement venue.
They will sit 6ft apart, following federal social distancing guidelines. Instead of shaking hands with the president, graduates will salute from a platform before the main dais. Guests are not allowed.
White House spokesman Judd Deere said: “Saturday’s graduation is about these incredible cadets and their amazing accomplishments, and as the commander in chief, President Trump wants to celebrate that and thank them for their service to our country.”