In-town pool report #6: Trump speech at memorial

President Trump began speaking at 12:53 p.m. Like VP Vance, he received a standing ovation and cheers as he was announced. (Sending late because there was no cell service in amphitheater. We are still at the cemetery.)

“What a beautiful day, as it turns out,” the president said to the crowd sitting in the rain in the amphitheater. “It’s just perfect. We’d rather have this than the heat.”

He called it a “momentous year,” given the 250th celebration coming up this summer, and spoke about the sacrifice of members of the U.S. military throughout the time since. He also highlighted specific veterans present at the memorial service today.

The president read from teleprompters, and was not behind bulletproof glass here.

He noted that 13 service members have been killed in the ongoing war with Iran, and drew applause when he said Iran cannot have a nuclear weapon.

The president spoke for just over 20 minutes. He, Vance, Hegseth and Caine then saluted as “Taps” was played.

Trump raised a fist in the air and some in the crowd cheered before he walked offstage at 1:20 p.m.

Pool is back in the vans now, waiting to depart.

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Natalie Allison

White House Reporter

The Washington Post