DETROIT, MI — Former President Donald Trump took the stage at the National Guard Association of the United States’ 146th General Conference on Monday, Aug. 26, and spoke about a variety of topics, including border control, immigration and concerns he has regarding foreign policy.
The Republican presidential nominee addressed more than a thousand people at 2 p.m. for the last day of the conference in the convention center at Huntington Place in Detroit. The event was not open to the public.
The event is the association’s annual business meeting that brings together Army and Air National Guard officers from all 50 states, Guam, Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands and the District of Columbia to network, set their legislative agenda and listen to some of the country’s civilian and military leaders.
Among his Monday remarks at the event, Trump was given a “big Detroit welcome,” by music star Kid Rock, who was wearing a red Keep America Great Again hat.
Trump began his remarks by thanking the National Guard, their spouses and children, and shared he’s had no greater honor in life than serving as commander-in-chief as the 45th president of the United States.
“When our country is hit by fire, flood or vicious storm America turns to the National Guard because we know we can always count on you, and I’ve counted on you a lot,” he said.
Trump said he will get the National Guard the support funding, training and equipment it needs along with the pay raises he said they deserve.
“As president of the United States, you were always there for me, and I’m always going to be there for you,” he said.
The Republican presidential nominee spoke about many of his plans if he were to be elected. He touched on a variety of topics including border control, immigration and concerns he has with the administration of President Joe Biden.
“Your choice in this election is between a president who will always have your back and a radical liberal who will never, ever, ever have your back,” he said, referring to the Democratic presidential nominee, Kamala Harris.
Harris for President Rapid Response Director Ammar Moussa released the following statement in rebuttal.
“Trump cannot be trusted to keep us safe, but Vice President Harris is a proven leader on the world stage and will use her expertise to ensure America’s security, defeat our adversaries, and stand with our allies around the world.”
Prior to his Michigan event, Trump visited Arlington National Cemetery to honor service members killed in the 2021 bombing outside the Kabul airport in Afghanistan.
Monday marks three years since the suicide bombing at Hamid Karzai International Airport. It killed 13 American service members and more than 100 Afghans. The Islamic State group claimed responsibility for the attack.
During Trump’s remarks, former Democratic Rep. Tulsi Gabbard joined the stage and endorsed the former president for this upcoming election. The National Guard veteran who served two tours of duty in the Middle East shared her experience with Trump at Arlington National Cemetery earlier that day.
“I felt the sorrow that (Trump) shared for them in each loss,” she said. “I felt and saw his sincere appreciation for these service men and women who paid the ultimate price and their loved ones who continue to grieve until this day.”
Trump went on to share his experience, along with his opinion on how the Biden administration handled the situation. He believes it was “one of the most embarrassing days” in the history of the United States, he said.
“We will never forget those brave warriors who made the supreme sacrifice for our country. They will live in our hearts forever,” he said. “We will honor their legacy by restoring a government that will put the American people first.”
Trump went on to share his plans to “fire those responsible” for the incident if he were to be re-elected as president. He said he will ask for the resignation of every single senior official involved to be put on his desk at noon on inauguration day.
“Our country will never be safe again until we fire those who are responsible for that disaster,” he said. “They did a terrible disservice to our country, and you get fired for that.”
During the event, Trump said he believes he is concerned for the state of the country and its “future is under threat like never before.”
“I don’t think we have ever been closer to World War III than ever before,” he said.
Gabbard said she believes Trump “understands the grave responsibility that a president commander-in-chief bears.”
“Whether you’re a solider, an airman, marine, sailor … he keeps us in his heart in the decision that he makes,” she said. “I am confident that his first task will be to do the work to walk us back from the brink of war.”
During his remarks, Trump brought up his plans for a variety of his policies and a few promises he plans to uphold if he were to be elected, including to end veteran homelessness in the country and settle the war against Ukraine and Russia, among other promises.
The National Guard Association has hosted at least one major party candidate in every presidential election year since 1992, officials said. More than 4,200 National Guard officers, their spouses and other guests formally registered for the conference.
This isn’t the first time Trump has given remarks at this conference. He spoke at the NGAUS conference in Baltimore, Maryland as the Republican nominee in the 2016 presidential election.
Read more: Trump schedules second Michigan campaign stop in a week
This Detroit stop is one of Trump’s many recent visits to Michigan. The former president was in Howell a week ago speaking about crime and safety at a warehouse-sized facility managed by the Livingston County Sheriff’s Office.
Trump has plans to make another stop in the state on Thursday to give remarks on “the economy, inflation and manufacturing” at Alro Steel in Potterville. This visit will be his sixth stop this year in Michigan.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
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Publish date : 2024-08-26 06:09:00
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