- “As president of the United States, let me express my undying gratitude for every soldier, veteran and families all across America and every patriot who has worn the uniform over 250 years. We thank you from the absolute bottom of our hearts,” said President Donald Trump at Fort Bragg on Tuesday.
President Donald Trump marked the 250th anniversary of the United States Army with a high-profile visit to Fort Bragg on Tuesday, pledging to restore traditional base names, strengthen military might, and reject “woke garbage” in favor of a renewed warrior ethos.
Addressing thousands of service members and supporters at the nation’s largest military installation, Trump and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth used the occasion to emphasize loyalty to the armed forces and push back against the Biden-era renaming of historic bases.
The visit comes just days ahead of a major military parade planned for Washington, D.C., on June 14 – both the Army’s founding date and the president’s 79th birthday. It also marked Trump’s return to the installation after a contentious chapter in its history, one that saw Fort Bragg briefly renamed during a broader federal effort by the Biden administration to distance military institutions from Confederate symbols.
Hegseth reinstated the base’s original name in February, honoring WWII hero Pfc. Roland L. Bragg, a recipient of the Purple Heart and Silver Star Hegseth joined the president for today’s visit, referencing the name change in his opening remarks.
“Good afternoon, Fort Bragg. It is Fort Bragg, isn’t it?” he said.
Hegseth mentioned the focus of the Trump administration will place on enhancing the military, saying the message from the Commander in Chief is: “I have your back.”
Hegseth noted that the Trump administration will be restoring “warrior ethos” – the basic set of morals adopted by those who serve in the military:
I will always place the mission first. I will never accept defeat.I will never quit.I will never leave a fallen comrade.
“We’re not interested in your woke garbage and your political correctness,” said Hegseth. “We’re war fighters who destroy the enemies on behalf of our nation. We don’t fight because we hate what’s in front of us; we fight because we love what’s behind us.”
Like the defense secretary, Trump addressed the audience by mentioning the controversial name change of the Fayetteville base.
“It’s a beautiful sight to be with you … in a place called Fort Bragg! Can you believe they changed that name in the last administration? We’ll forget all about that, won’t we?” he said.
In his speech, Trump stated that his administration intends to reinstate the original names of several US Army bases that were renamed during the Biden administration, criticizing the previous changes as politically motivated and unnecessary.
“We are also going to be restoring the names to Fort Pickett, Fort Hood, Fort Gordon, Fort Rucker, Fort Polk, Fort A.P. Hill, and Fort Robert E. Lee,” he said. “We won a lot of battles out of those Forts – it’s no time to change. And I’m superstitious, you know? I like to keep it going,”
In a passionate address focused on national defense and law enforcement, Trump doubled down on his commitment to strengthening the US military and clamping down on violent unrest in major American cities. Trump emphasized the “Big Beautiful Bill,” a sweeping legislative package that secures a record-setting defense budget.
“We just approved the largest budget ever for military operations of $1 trillion,” Trump stated. “We’ve never come close to that before.”
He offered a heartfelt salute to military personnel, veterans, and their families, acknowledging their longstanding service to the country.
“As president of the United States, let me express my undying gratitude for every soldier, veteran and families all across America and every patriot who has worn the uniform over 250 years,” he said. “We thank you from the absolute bottom of our hearts.”
Condemnation of Flag-Burning and Civil Unrest
Trump also turned his attention to ongoing protests in Los Angeles, which have escalated into violence in recent days. He characterized these actions as un-American and called for stronger penalties for desecrating national symbols.
“They proudly carry the flags of other countries, but they don’t carry the American flag – they only burn it,” he said. “People who burn our flag should go to jail for one year.”
According to Trump, the protests represent more than civil dissent—they constitute a direct threat to American sovereignty.
“Under the Trump administration this anarchy will not stand. We will not allow an American city to be conquered by a foreign enemy – that’s what they are.”
National Guard Deployment and Show of Strength
In response to the turmoil, the president announced the deployment of National Guard troops and Marines to Los Angeles, commending their presence as essential to restoring order.
He praised the “strength and courage” of these military forces, emphasizing their role in upholding law and order amid chaotic demonstrations.
Concluding his remarks, President Trump looked to the future of the U.S. Army with optimism and determination, forecasting a more robust and victorious force.
“You will fight, fight, fight, and you will win, win, win! Thank you and God bless America — and God bless the United States Army.”