President Donald Trump marked the US Navy’s 250th birthday with a high-profile visit to one of the world’s largest naval installations in Norfolk, Virginia, even as a government shutdown threatened to delay paychecks for some military service members.
During his address to thousands of sailors in dress whites, Trump promised that all service members would still be paid despite the shutdown, which he blamed on Democrats.
“We will get our service members every last penny. Don’t worry about it,” Trump said, drawing applause and cheers from the assembled crowd. The Department of Defense had informed active-duty and reserve personnel that they would not receive pay after September 30 until Congress approved agency funding.
Trump also announced support for “across-the-board pay raises for every sailor and service member in the United States Armed Forces.” He took aim at Democrats during his remarks, calling them a “gnat” above his and the Republican Party’s shoulders and criticizing them for allegedly prioritizing illegal immigration over the military.
First Lady Melania Trump and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth also addressed the crowd, sharing in the celebration of the Navy’s milestone. The event, part of a series of military celebrations ahead of next year’s national semiquincentennial, follows Trump’s Army birthday parade in Washington, which he had long advocated for but later privately criticized for certain aspects.
Trump’s speech also included references to law enforcement and National Guard deployments, stating he would send in “whatever is necessary” to combat crime in US cities. He highlighted his authorization of hundreds of National Guard members to deploy to Chicago, Memphis, and Portland, despite legal challenges. A judge temporarily blocked his plan for Portland, but Trump ordered the California National Guard to deploy to Oregon, prompting legal action from California Governor Gavin Newsom.
The Norfolk event, titled “Titans of the Sea,” featured the USS Kearsarge and the USS Harry S. Truman, which had returned in June from a Red Sea deployment combating Houthi rebels in Yemen. Despite the government shutdown, there were no visible disruptions to the celebration, and sailors appeared focused on the Navy’s accomplishments and future.
Trump also used the occasion to discuss Navy shipbuilding, noting that some vessels were “ugly” and emphasizing his aesthetic preferences. He proposed increasing the Navy’s fleet by more than a dozen ships through higher military spending and suggested using US cities as training grounds for the armed forces.
Throughout the event, political lines in Trump’s speech drew minimal reaction from the crowd, who mainly responded to references about Navy strength, pay raises, and military accomplishments. Organizers described the event as a showcase of the Navy’s “cutting-edge fleet” and a way to inspire the next generation of service members to maintain America’s global strength.
With this visit, Trump reaffirmed his focus on the US military, promising financial security for personnel during a shutdown and highlighting ongoing efforts to deploy the National Guard to maintain domestic security. The celebration combined both a tribute to the Navy’s history and a platform for Trump’s broader military and law enforcement priorities.
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