{"id":36889,"date":"2018-05-25T20:09:37","date_gmt":"2018-05-25T20:09:37","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/navytimes\/uncategorized\/2018\/05\/25\/trump-to-naval-academy-grads-america-is-back\/"},"modified":"2026-08-08T19:32:26","modified_gmt":"2026-08-08T19:32:26","slug":"trump-to-naval-academy-grads-america-is-back","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/navytimes\/news\/your-navy\/2018\/05\/25\/trump-to-naval-academy-grads-america-is-back\/","title":{"rendered":"Trump to Naval Academy grads: \u2018America is back\u2019"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

ANNAPOLIS, Md. \u2014 President Donald Trump stressed U.S. military might as he addressed graduates at the Naval Academy on Friday, saying the \u201cbest way to prevent war is to be fully prepared for war.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Trump spoke to the 2018 graduating class in Annapolis, stressing American military preparedness a day after he canceled a planned summit<\/a> with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cOur country has regained the respect that we used to have long ago,\u201d said Trump, who did not mention North Korea<\/a> in his remarks. \u201cYes, they are respecting us again. America is back.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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President Donald Trump looks on as the Blue Angels fly over the graduation ceremony Friday in Annapolis, Md. (Evan Vucci\/AP)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Trump 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<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Said Trump: \u201cWe have begun the great rebuilding of the U.S. military.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cWe 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,\u201d Trump said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

At the conclusion of his remarks, Trump said that he planned to remain at the graduation to shake each graduate\u2019s hand.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Before leaving for the address, Trump said on Twitter said he looks \u201cforward to being with some of the greatest people on earth!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Midshipmen are sworn in during a graduation and commissioning ceremony at the Naval Academy on Friday in Annapolis, Md. (Evan Vucci\/AP)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

This marked Trump\u2019s first time speaking to the academy\u2019s graduating class. Last year, Trump addressed the Coast Guard Academy<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

While praising the dedication and accomplishments of the Navy and Marine Corps\u2019 newest officers, Trump did repeat this assertion<\/a> regarding military pay: \u201cWe just got to a big pay raise for the first time in 10 years. We got to a big pay increase, first time in over 10 years.\u201d <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Service members have received annual pay raises for decades.<\/p>\n\n\n\t