"We just revere their incredible legacy." Trump said. "We salute them in their eternal and everlasting glory. And we continue our relentless pursuit of America's destiny as we make our nation stronger, prouder, freer, and greater than ever before."
Trump's speech veered briefly into the political, referring to the republic "that I am fixing after a long and hard four years." He said that on this commemorative day, his fixes were not for today to discuss.
Prior to speaking, Trump placed a wreath at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, a somber tradition for U.S. presidents. The president paused after placing the wreath, then stepped back and saluted during the playing of Taps. Vice President JD Vance and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth joined him.
The president began the day with a decidedly different tone. In a social media message in all capital letters, Trump ranted at former President Joe Biden, calling him the "scum" who spent the last four years trying to destroy the country with radical leftism and who, he said, left behind an open border.
Trump also went after federal judges who have blocked efforts to enact his mass deportation agenda, calling them "monsters who want our country to go to hell."
That was after he posted a separate message proclaiming "HAPPY MEMORIAL DAY!" Wishing people a happy Memorial Day is regarded as verboten because the day is considered a solemn day to honor soldiers killed in service.