Daijiworld Media Network - Washington
Washington, Jul 5: US President Donald Trump used the nation's 250th Independence Day celebrations to deliver a wide-ranging address that honoured America's history, praised its military and economic achievements, called for tougher election laws, denounced communism and outlined an ambitious vision for the country's future on Earth and in space.
Speaking from the National Mall after severe thunderstorms delayed the event for several hours, Trump thanked thousands of supporters who returned after temporary evacuations caused by lightning.
"There was no way we could be deterred," he said, describing the gathering as a reflection of the country's resilience and patriotism.
Calling the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence "one of the most joyous and glorious milestones" in American history, Trump said the United States had remained a beacon of hope, freedom and opportunity for the world over the past two-and-a-half centuries.
Throughout his nearly 40-minute speech, the President traced the nation's evolution from the signing of the Declaration of Independence and adoption of the Constitution through the Revolutionary War, Civil War, westward expansion, industrialisation, the two World Wars, the Cold War and the Space Age.
He praised the country's founding fathers for establishing the principles of liberty and equality and described the US Constitution as "the most righteous political document ever conceived."
Using a display of historic American flags, Trump revisited key chapters of the nation's past, including the battles of Saratoga and Yorktown, the Civil War, Theodore Roosevelt's Rough Riders, the attack on Pearl Harbor, the D-Day landings, the Battle of Iwo Jima, the Korean and Vietnam wars, and the end of the Cold War.
The President also honoured decorated military veterans, including Medal of Honor recipients, Pearl Harbor survivors and veterans of D-Day and Iwo Jima, describing them as enduring symbols of courage and sacrifice.
Paying tribute to what he called America's "greatest generation," Trump said their service had helped secure freedom and shape the modern world.
Military strength featured prominently in the address, with Trump claiming recruitment had risen across the armed forces, police departments and fire services because public confidence in the nation had been restored.
He said his administration had rebuilt the US military and referred to recent military operations involving Iran, asserting that the United States had inflicted significant damage on Iranian military capabilities. Trump also claimed the US had achieved one of the greatest naval victories in its history by destroying a large portion of Iran's naval fleet.
On domestic policy, Trump urged Congress to pass the proposed Save America Act, which he said would require voter identification, proof of citizenship and strict limits on mail-in voting, allowing such ballots only in limited circumstances including illness, disability, military deployment or travel.
The President repeatedly criticised communism, describing it as a failed ideology and declaring that the United States would never become a communist nation. Referring to veterans of the Cold War, he said communism should be confronted before it could spread.
Turning to science and space exploration, Trump welcomed NASA's Artemis II astronauts and Apollo 17 astronaut Jack Schmitt to the stage. Presenting the Artemis crew with an American flag flown over the Capitol earlier in the day, he said it would one day be planted on the Moon before future missions eventually reached Mars.
Trump also defended the creation of the US Space Force, saying the initiative had strengthened America's position in the growing competition with other major powers in space.
The President paid tribute to 11 Gold Star families, thanking them for the sacrifices made by relatives who lost their lives while serving in the US military.
Highlighting the economy, Trump said the United States was enjoying renewed prosperity, pointing to record stock market performance, increased investment, expanding manufacturing, high employment levels and strong retirement savings.
He also claimed the nation's capital had become significantly safer and more attractive under his administration.
Concluding the address, Trump said the United States remained unmatched after 250 years and described the current period as the beginning of a new "golden age of America."
"We may be the oldest constitutional republic on Earth, but our country is just getting started because the best is yet to come," he said, pledging to make the nation stronger, more prosperous and more influential in the years ahead.
The speech concluded with a fireworks display over the National Mall and served as the centrepiece of the White House's America250 celebrations marking the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence, signed on July 4, 1776.
The year-long commemorative programme has featured events across the United States celebrating the nation's founding, constitutional heritage, military service and democratic traditions. Trump's address reflected the central themes of his presidency since returning to office, emphasising national strength, economic growth, technological leadership and renewed American pride.