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.
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.
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.
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.”
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”.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Trump also contradicted military leaders this week 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.
West Point has a barracks named for Robert E Lee, the most famous Confederate general.
This week, more than 500 graduates 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.
“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.”
Neither Esper nor Milley accompanied Trump on Saturday. Esper and secretary of state Mike Pompeo, both West Point graduates, delivered remarks by video.
The Associated Press contributed to this report
