Trump touts end of 'social projects and political causes' in US military during West Point speech

President Trump declared the end of subjecting the U.S. military to "social projects and political causes" in his address to the 2025 graduating class at West Point.

Trump described the cadets as “winners” who are going to be part of the “most powerful army the world has ever known.”

During the speech, Trump absolved cadets of minor conduct offenses in keeping with tradition.

Trump criticized past administrations for using the military for "nation-building crusades" while not adequately defending U.S. borders.

“We fought for other countries’ borders, but we didn’t fight for our own border,” said Trump, who wore a “Make America Great Again” hat.

He also chided previous administrations that "subjected the armed forces to all manner of social projects and political causes.” 

"Under the Trump administration, those days are over,” he said. “We’re getting rid of the distractions, and we’re focusing our military on its core mission, crushing America’s adversaries, killing America’s enemies and defending our great American flag like it has never been defended before.”