Pool report #5 - POTUS remarks

POTUS remarks began at 11:53 am.

He offered his gratitude to everyone who served. “To every veteran here at Arlington and across the nation we offer our highest salute … and pledge our upmost devotion.” He also paid tribute to military families.

He then introduced the First Lady and Cabinet members who were present.

Hegseth got loud cheers, to which POTUS said: “I had a feeling that would happen. He’s done a fantastic job. He loves you and protects you.”

POTUS paid tribute to members of the military as a “guiding light” and “guardian angels” of the nation.

He introduced a 103-year-old WWII veteran Jack Myers, who got loud cheers and a standing ovation.

He offered special thanks to those veterans “working to ensure the world’s number one sponsor of state terrorism, the Islamic Republic of Iran, will never have a nuclear weapon.”

More POTUS, on Iran: “We won. It’s just a question of when we end it. I want to make sure we have a total victory, not a 93 percent victory.”

More: “We're not going to allow anyone to hurt or damage our country with bad foolish horrible ideology. We're not going to let it happen. And everyone knows what I mean.”

POTUS: “Soon we’re going to dedicate a magnificent triumphal arch to our veterans. … They’ve been waiting for it 200 years.”

Remarks concluded at 12:17 pm.

The sun shone down on the audience during the ceremony. FLOTUS and other administration offiucals were seated to the right of the presidential box.

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Emily Goodin
White House Correspondent
New York Post