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WATCH HERE: President Trump Delivers Commencement Speech At U.S. Coast Guard Academy

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President Trump traveled to New London, Connecticut, on Wednesday to address the 2026 graduating class of the U.S. Coast Guard Academy.

Trump was well received by the graduating class and gave a speech praising the U.S. military’s strength and its comeback from its downfall under the Biden administration.

In a personal charge to the cadets, Trump shared,  “Never stop pushing forward, and no matter how terrible the storm, no matter how difficult the mission. Never surrender, keep going, keep fighting, and make the adversary quit first.”

Here are some clips:

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The Hartford Courant reported more on Trump’s speech to the cadets:

President Donald Trump delivered the keynote address at the 145th commencement ceremony at the U.S. Coast Guard Academy as the war in Iran and global threats abroad mean uncertainty for the 260 graduating cadets.

Family members, friends and alumni of the graduating cadets with the class of 2026 packed the stands at Cadet Memorial Field in New London under a bright clear sky on Wednesday morning. Pomp and circumstance were on full display as members of the U.S. Coast Guard Band played the national anthem along with the official Coast Guard song “Semper Paratus” in front of hundreds of guests and dignitaries.

Cadets hailed from dozens of states and several countries including Honduras, Taiwan and Vietnam, according to the academy.

The ceremony began at 11 a.m. with several speakers including U.S. Secretary of Homeland Security Markwayne Mullin. Air Force One landed at Groton-New London Airport shortly before 11 a.m., according to officials. Trump stepped off the plane a short time afterward and headed to the academy with state police blocking off several roads.

Protestors lined up in front of the U.S. Coast Guard Academy holding signs demanding more transparency on the Epstein files and an end to the war in Iran.

Trump, who last spoke at the academy during his first term in 2017, said the country is currently in a Golden Age and that it is “hotter than ever” and that “the military is back.” Trump is the first president to speak at the U.S. Coast Guard Academy twice, according to officials.

“It’s a true honor to be here on this magnificent day, one of the most prestigious military academies anywhere in the world, and I’m thrilled to become the first president to ever give a second keynote address through this storied institution. I am very proud of that honor. … And a few moments from now, you graduates on the field will go forth with an even greater honor, one of the highest distinctions anyone can have, you will become commissioned officers in the United States Coast Guard,” Trump said.

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“Our country is hot. It is a great time. Our country is hot. I hate to say it, but I will. A year ago, a year and a half ago, two years ago, the last administration, we were a dead country. Right now we are the hottest country anywhere in the world. We’re respected all over the world,” Trump said.

“You saw what happened with China just recently. You saw that in Venezuela. You saw that right now in Iran. Everything’s gone there. The Navy’s gone. Their Air Force is gone. Everything is just gone. Do we go and finish it up? Are they going to be signing a document? Let’s see what happens,” he said in a reference to the ongoing high-level talks between Iran and U.S. negotiators to end the conflict which has claimed the lives of 13 U.S. service members.

Here’s the moment Trump arrived:

Fox News reported that during his remarks, he also honored two record-breaking athletes:

President Donald Trump attended the U.S. Coast Guard Academy graduation ceremony on Wednesday and honored two senior athletes.

While speaking at the graduation in New London, Connecticut, Trump said that the graduating class was “blessed with many tremendous athletes” and invited two in particular to join him on stage.

First, Trump introduced Broock Desta, the academy’s all-time leader in receptions, yards and touchdowns.

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“Do we have a little NFL future here? Maybe? I don’t know, usually that could happen when you’re leading by that much,” Trump said of Desta.

Desta also played for the academy’s basketball team his senior season, but he was a true star on the gridiron. In 36 career games, Desta caught 29 touchdowns while also rushing for one and throwing another. He racked up 3,487 receiving yards on 234 catches.

Next to the stage was women’s lacrosse star Abby McAllister, the women’s lacrosse program’s all-time leader in assists and points.

“Are you that good?” Trump asked jokingly before adding, “That’s a big record.”

“We throw them a little off on timing when I do this, but what the hell? We have time. Right? This is your day. And when somebody achieves what these people did, we should give them a little extra recognition, right?” Trump continued.

Here was a funny moment from his speech:

Trump was later gifted a football helmet from the class of 2026:

Watch his full commencement speech here:


 

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