President Trump on Sunday promised “throughout the board pay raises” for US service members whereas celebrating the Navy’s 250th birthday – as he blasted Democrats over the federal authorities shutdown.
Trump made the announcement earlier than hundreds of sailors and their households at Norfolk Naval Base, assuring service members to not fear whereas taking a jab at “a bit gnat on our shoulder known as the Democrats.”
“The US Navy all the time stands for America, and as your commander in chief I’ll all the time stand for you, I promise you that,” the president vowed.
“And I need you to know that regardless of the Democrat-induced shutdown, we’ll get our service members each final penny, don’t fear about that. It’s all coming, and much more as a result of I’m supporting the throughout the board pay raises for each sailor and repair member in america armed forces.”
The pay increase drew roaring cheers from the group, coming simply days after Trump advised high generals in Virginia that each one army personnel would obtain a 3.8% elevate.
Trump went on to tout his $1 trillion funding in army assets, together with constructing a fleet of ships on American soil and revitalizing shipyards.
“We’re going to be constructing numerous ships and doing numerous issues that you simply haven’t seen occur for 35 years,” he mentioned.
“We’ll quickly revitalize our shipyards with a whole bunch of thousands and thousands of {dollars} in new investments and new folks coming from all all over the world they usually’re going to construct ships in America. We wish them in-built America.”
However he mentioned it is going to occur solely after Democrats cease giving “all of our cash to unlawful aliens,” referencing the federal shutdown that started Oct. 1 over congress’s failure to cross 2026 appropriations.
The standoff between Democrats and Republicans has left numerous authorities employees, together with service members, with out pay.
Trump concluded his speech by praising the Navy for attaining its finest recruitment yr ever in 2025.
“America’s sailors have confirmed repeatedly that our Navy does simply one of the best job there’s,” the commander in chief boasted.
“We personal the skies, we stalk the depths, and we rule the seas. We don’t know something about defeat. In each period and each a part of this globe, our sailors have fought with braveness of their hearts, patriotism of their souls and salt water of their veins.
“And standing earlier than all of you right this moment, I do know that each time our nation is threatened and each time they need assistance, each time obligation calls, American sailors will hoist our flag excessive and they’re going to rally….along with your assist we’ll combat, combat, combat and we’ll win, win win, due to you our navy and our nation will all the time be proud and righteous and mighty and free.”
First Girl Melania Trump and Secretary of Struggle Pete Hegseth have been amongst a bunch of audio system who gave temporary remarks, praising the Navy’s dedication and the president for supplying the assets wanted to safeguard freedom and deter all enemies.
Hegseth echoed Trump, promising extra sailors, submarines, ships, and munitions.
“President Trump has made our mission clear, America first and peace by widespread sense at each flip,” he mentioned, including that the Navy and the Marine Corps embody the “resilience in our nation.”
“No one on the planet does it higher than america Navy. Your range isn’t your energy, your energy is your unity of function, your shared mission, your love of nation.”
