President Trump told U.S. Coast Guard graduates on Wednesday they will play a critical role in protecting and serving the U.S. at a “great time” for the “hottest country in the world.”
Mr. Trump condemned his predecessors and said he’s leading a national revival that relies in part on a strong military.
“I hate to say it, but I will — the last administration, we were a dead country. Right now, we’re the hottest country anywhere in the world,” he said during a commencement address to the Coast Guard Academy in New London, Connecticut.
“We’re respected all over the world. You saw that in Venezuela and right now in Iran,” he said. “The only question is, do we go and finish it up, or are [the Iranians] going to be signing a document? Let’s see what happens.”
Mr. Trump also addressed the Coast Guard Academy in 2017. He said on Wednesday that he would like to return for a third address.
The president hailed parents and faculty and recounted the Coast Guard’s contributions through U.S. history, from saving thousands of lives during hurricanes to playing a vital role in winning World War II.
“Just like those Coast Guard legends who came before you, you will always put America first,” Mr. Trump said. “We put America first now. We haven’t done that for a long time, but we do that under the Trump administration.”
Mr. Trump pointed out students who achieved the highest academic marks and called some of them to the stage for recognition.
“Keep pushing forward,” he told graduates. “No matter how terrible the storm, no matter how difficult the mission, never surrender.”
The president’s speech veered between light-hearted congratulations for the young graduates and a rally-style speech that castigated the “sins” of previous administrations.
At one point, he pointed to stronger immigration measures at the border.
“They can come in, but they have to come in legally,” he said. “They have to show us that they can love our country, not that they want to blow up our country. I think everyone agrees with that.”
Mr. Trump pointed to foreign investments in factories that will build cars, computer chips and other products, plus defended his use of tariffs to protect American industries.
The president also highlighted progress in stopping boats that carry drugs to the U.S., underscoring the Coast Guard’s role in that effort.
Mr. Trump visited the military academy as he tries to finalize a peace deal with Iran.
He launched military strikes against the country’s regime on Feb. 28 to prevent Tehran from getting a nuclear weapon. The two sides entered a ceasefire in early April, but Mr. Trump says strikes will resume if the Iranians don’t agree to a deal this week.
“We will not let Iran have a nuclear weapon,” Mr. Trump told graduates. “We will not let that happen.”
