President Trump slammed the Biden administration during Monday’s Memorial Day remarks at Arlington National Cemetery, saying he is “fixing” the country after “a long and hard four years.”
Trump, after paying homage to the first casualties in the American Revolution during his speech, criticized the way the previous administration led the country and its handling of the U.S.-Mexico border. He did not mention former President Biden by name.
“Their valor gave us the freest, greatest and most noble republic ever to exist on the face of the earth, a republic that I am fixing after a long and hard four years. That was a hard four years we went through,” Trump said during his 17-minute speech Monday as loud applause ensued.
“Who would let that happen? People pouring through our borders, unchecked. People doing things that are indescribable and not for today to discuss, but the republic that is now doing so very well,” the president added.
The commander in chief stated the United States is doing “so very well right now considering the circumstances,” and he predicted the nation will “do record setting better with time, we will do better than we’ve ever done as a nation, better than ever before, I promise you that.”
Trump paid tribute to Gold Star families and thanked them for giving the country the “brightest light in your lives.”
“These are great families. These are wonderful families in the familiar laugh, no longer heard the empty space at Sunday dinner or the want of a hug or a pat on the back that will never come again,” Trump said. “Every Gold Star family fights a battle long after the victory is won, and today, we lift you up, and we hold you high.”
“Their sacrifice was for today, tomorrow and every morning thereafter, every child that lives in peace, every home that is filled with joy and love, every day the Republic stands is only possible because of those who did what had to be done when duty called and the cost was everything to them and to their families,” the president told the crowd on Monday. “Our debt to them is eternal, and it does not diminish with time. It only grows and grows and grows with each passing year.”
At the beginning of the speech, Trump commended Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth for doing “really well” in his role, seemingly referring to his grueling confirmation process earlier this year.
“He went through a lot, didn’t he, but he’s doing really well. He’s a tough cookie. That’s what we want,” the president said.
The president also mentioned the upcoming 250th anniversary of the Army and said the celebration will supersede the 2026 World Cup and 2028 Summer Olympics in Los Angeles, both major sporting events hosted by the U.S.
“We’re going to have a great celebration, but most important of all is the 250th anniversary that blows everything away, including the World Cup and including the Olympics,” Trump said. “As far as I’m concerned.”
He added, “Can you imagine I missed that four years? And now look what I have. I have everything. Amazing, the way things work out.”
Updated: 1:49 p.m. ET
