{"id":12998,"date":"2026-05-20T19:21:56","date_gmt":"2026-05-20T19:21:56","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/wpinitiate.com\/echo-test\/demo973e36f5\/2026\/05\/20\/at-coast-guard-academy-graduation-trump-heralds-golden-age-ct-mirror\/"},"modified":"2026-05-20T19:21:56","modified_gmt":"2026-05-20T19:21:56","slug":"at-coast-guard-academy-graduation-trump-heralds-golden-age-ct-mirror","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/wpinitiate.com\/echo-test\/demo973e36f5\/2026\/05\/20\/at-coast-guard-academy-graduation-trump-heralds-golden-age-ct-mirror\/","title":{"rendered":"At Coast Guard Academy graduation, Trump heralds \u2018golden age\u2019 – CT Mirror"},"content":{"rendered":"
\n

President Donald Trump proclaimed Wednesday that graduating Coast Guard Academy cadets will enter the service in a \u201cgolden age\u201d of America, projecting confidence at a time when the country is reckoning with an unpopular war.<\/p>\n

Trump received a warm reception on a blistering hot day as he made his way onto Cadet Memorial Field, despite the presence of a few hundred protesters gathered nearby, outside of the New London campus. He was greeted with a 21-gun salute before delivering the keynote address at the Academy\u2019s 145th commencement.<\/p>\n

The nearly hour-long speech to cadets and their families weaved between praise and admiration for the class of 2026 and his common refrains about a once-beleaguered country that has made a rebound.<\/p>\n

\u201cI hate to say it, but I will,\u201d Trump said. \u201cA year ago \u2026 the last administration, we were a dead country, now we\u2019re the hottest country in the world.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cOur morale is back, confidence is back. America is back, bigger and better and stronger than ever before,\u201d he added later. \u201cWe went very sadly, of course, for years Washington, D.C., was run by foolish politicians.\u201d<\/p>\n

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Graduates of the U.S. Coast Guard Academy in New London, Conn., toss their hats during a fly over at the conclusion of the ceremony on May 20, 2026.<\/p>\n

” data-large-file=”https:\/\/ctmirror.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/260520TrumpCommencement_MMA5120-771×514.jpg” src=”https:\/\/ctmirror.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/260520TrumpCommencement_MMA5120-771×514.jpg” alt >

Graduates of the U.S. Coast Guard Academy in New London, Conn., toss their hats during a fly over at the conclusion of the ceremony on May 20, 2026. Credit:<\/span> Mark Mirko \/ CT Public<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/p><\/div>\n

He cited his recent trip to China, the successful raid that captured Venezuela\u2019s president and the ongoing war with Iran that has stretched into its third month. But he mused about the latter with some uncertainty about the next steps.<\/p>\n

\u201cDo we go and finish it up, or are they going to be signing a document?\u201d Trump wondered aloud about the prospects of a deal with Iran to end the hostilities, which began in late February with a joint strike with Israel. \u201cWe\u2019ll see what happens.\u201d<\/p>\n

The ongoing war with Iran has contributed to the president\u2019s sinking approval rating<\/a> months out from a critical midterm election where a shift in the balance of power in Congress could threaten his agenda for his remaining time in office. The war has led to a spike in gas prices, bred uncertainty in the Middle East and disappointed his base that was promised the end to \u201cforever wars\u201d during his campaign for president.<\/p>\n

Trump spoke from the podium with the presidential seal surrounded by protective barriers. Security has ramped up for events after a few assassination attempts. Trump was ushered off stage last month after a gunman ran through security and tried to reach the ballroom at the White House Correspondents\u2019 Dinner in Washington.<\/p>\n

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President Donald Trump speaking at the commencement address at the U.S. Coast Guard Academy in New London, Conn., Wednesday, May 20, 2026. (AP Photo\/Jessica Hill)<\/p>\n

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President Donald Trump speaking at the commencement address at the U.S. Coast Guard Academy in New London, Conn., Wednesday, May 20, 2026. (AP Photo\/Jessica Hill) Credit:<\/span> Jessica Hill \/ Associated Press<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/p><\/div>\n

The U.S. Department of Homeland Security, which oversees the U.S. Coast Guard and other agencies like immigration enforcement and disaster relief, has been through a period of upheaval in recent months and through a few government shutdowns.<\/p>\n

Before Trump delivered the keynote address, Coast Guard officials praised the president, particularly over the end of the most recent shutdown, which left DHS without funding for a record-long period of time. They also noted the millions of dollars in funding they received to boost the military, athletics and academics through Republicans\u2019 \u201cbig beautiful bill\u201d that passed last year.<\/p>\n

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President Donald Trump, Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin and Admiral Kevin Lunday salute at the start of the of the U.S. Coast Guard Academy 145th commencement exercises in New London, Connecticut on May 20, 2026. <\/p>\n

” data-large-file=”https:\/\/ctmirror.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/260520TrumpCommencementMMB_0754-771×514.jpg” src=”https:\/\/ctmirror.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/260520TrumpCommencementMMB_0754-771×514.jpg” alt >

President Donald Trump, Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin and Admiral Kevin Lunday salute at the start of the of the U.S. Coast Guard Academy 145th commencement exercises in New London, Conn., on May 20, 2026. Credit:<\/span> Mark Mirko \/ CT Public<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/p><\/div>\n

\u201cWe will not forget what you did sir,\u201d Commandant Kevin Lunday said, referencing funding for DHS to end the agency\u2019s shutdown. Lunday replaced Linda Fagan after she was abruptly fired<\/a> last year, a day after Trump\u2019s inauguration.<\/p>\n

The president heaped praise on the graduating cadets who were about to become commissioned officers. He invited a number of them on stage who excelled in academics, fitness and athletics and had friendly exchanges.<\/p>\n

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U.S. Coast Guard Academy Cadets endure the heat as President Donald Trump speaks during the commencement address at the U.S. Coast Guard Academy, in New London, Conn., Wednesday, May 20, 2026. (AP Photo\/Jacquelyn Martin)<\/p>\n

” data-large-file=”https:\/\/ctmirror.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/AP26140606300902-771×516.jpg” src=”https:\/\/ctmirror.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/AP26140606300902-771×516.jpg” alt >

U.S. Coast Guard Academy Cadets endure the heat as President Donald Trump speaks during the commencement address at the U.S. Coast Guard Academy, in New London, Conn., Wednesday, May 20, 2026. (AP Photo\/Jacquelyn Martin) Credit:<\/span> Jacquelyn Martin \/ Associated Press<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/p><\/div>\n

\u201cYou are America\u2019s first responders,\u201d Trump said, praising the Coast Guard for its past response to hurricanes in Texas during his first term. \u201cYou will always put America first. We haven\u2019t done that in a long time. The whole world is saying they put America first. We help others too, but we put America first.\u201d<\/p>\n

Trump\u2019s speech was heavy on his signature quips, snide remarks and gripes. He took aim at the media, particularly over criticism he says he received that tariff is his favorite word.<\/p>\n

While talking about delivering new icebreakers for the Coast Guard in a few years to modernize and boost its fleet, the two-term president quipped about a third term, something he hints at every so often that amuses his allies and concerns his detractors.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019ll be here in \u201928,\u201d Trump said. \u201cI may be here in \u201932, too.\u201d<\/p>\n

Light on the politics<\/h3>\n

Politics intruded lightly on the ceremony, mostly reflected in Gov. Ned Lamont\u00a0 declining a White House invitation and the Republican gubernatorial nominee, state Sen. Ryan Fazio of Greenwich, managing to get seats in the bleachers for himself and his fianc\u00e9e, Amy Orser.<\/p>\n

Trump was warmly received as he made his entrance from behind bleachers in the north end zone and walked to the stage erected on the 50-yard line. His more political lines \u2014 pronouncing America \u201cdead\u201d prior to his return to the White House \u2014 drew polite applause. Many in the audience did not applaud. One man yelled, \u201cYou go!\u201d<\/p>\n

Fazio neither sought a meeting with the president, nor was he offered one. A photo with the president during a Republican primary would have been invaluable, and Fazio had reached out to the White House for a potential endorsement prior to him locking up the GOP nomination. Prior to becoming a gubernatorial candidate, Fazio declined to say how he voted for president. He now volunteers he voted for Trump all three times.<\/p>\n

Was it fair to say he no longer was seeking an endorsement or campaign appearance from the president?<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m focused on Connecticut voters, and, you know, I appreciate the support of anyone, any of our leaders in any party, in order to\u00a0 win statewide in Connecticut,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n

Lamont, who faces a primary challenge from the left, saw no advantage in greeting a president who has sued his administration, most recently challenging a new law asserting an ability by the state to oversee use of force by federal immigration agents.<\/p>\n

As Lamont told the Connecticut Mirror Monday, \u201cI\u2019m just gonna be sitting there for an hour hearing him lie about the war in Iran, and probably take pot shots at Connecticut. I go to the Coast Guard graduations a lot, but this year, I\u2019m gonna take a pass.\u201d<\/p>\n

Fazio faulted the governor for his absence<\/p>\n

\u201cThis is about celebrating our Coast Guard cadets, who are willing to sacrifice their own personal safety and lives for the rest of us,\u201d Fazio said. \u201cBeing that it\u2019s in Connecticut,\u00a0I think it would have have been appropriate for the highest-ranking member of our state government to be present.\u201d<\/p>\n

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U.S. Coast Guard Academy guests endure the heat as President Donald Trump speaks during the commencement address at the U.S. Coast Guard Academy, in New London, Conn., Wednesday, May 20, 2026. (AP Photo\/Jacquelyn Martin)<\/p>\n

” data-large-file=”https:\/\/ctmirror.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/AP26140605959551-771×515.jpg” src=”https:\/\/ctmirror.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/AP26140605959551-771×515.jpg” alt >

U.S. Coast Guard Academy guests endure the heat as President Donald Trump speaks during the commencement address at the U.S. Coast Guard Academy, in New London, Conn., Wednesday, May 20, 2026. (AP Photo\/Jacquelyn Martin) Credit:<\/span> Jacquelyn Martin \/ Associated Press<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/p><\/div>\n

The commencement speech by Trump was his second at the service academy on the Thames River in New London. The president last addressed Coast Guard cadets at their graduation in 2017, during his first term in office.<\/p>\n

The midday heat was brutal. EMTs periodically tended to spectators in the bleachers. Fazio\u2019s fianc\u00e9e, Orser, was among those who required medical attention. Fazio said later she recovered once taken to the shade and given a chance to hydrate.<\/p>\n

Protesters gather nearby<\/h3>\n

Before Trump\u2019s arrival at Cadet Memorial Field in the late morning, protestors gathered in McKinley Park in New London, chanting and carrying signs in protest of Trump. Police estimated the crowd at between 200 and 300 people.<\/p>\n

People gathered at McKinley Park in New London, Conn., to protest President Donald Trump\u2019s Coast Guard graduation speech on Wednesday, May 20, 2026<\/p>\n

” data-large-file=”https:\/\/ctmirror.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/TRUMP-COASTGUARD-0520-02-771×578.jpg” src=”https:\/\/ctmirror.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/TRUMP-COASTGUARD-0520-02-771×578.jpg” alt >

People gathered at McKinley Park in New London, Conn., to protest President Donald Trump\u2019s Coast Guard graduation speech on Wednesday, May 20, 2026 Credit:<\/span> Emilia Otte \/ CT Mirror<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Protestors carried signs referencing everything from immigration enforcement (\u201cPut ICE in your drink, not on our streets\u201d) to war (\u201cStop Bombing\u201d) to transgender issues.<\/p>\n

Dave Grainger, an 80-year-old from New London, stood alongside a giant sign reading \u201cPlease Refuse Unlawful Orders.\u201d Grainger, who said he served 13 months in Vietnam, criticized the U.S. strikes on Venezuelan boats and the war in Iran. He compared the actions in Iran to Vietnam or Afghanistan.<\/p>\n

\u201c\u200a[It\u2019s] an unending war in the Middle East that seems to be stalled, and the killing goes on,\u201d said Grainger.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Grainger said he was calling on the Coast Guard to reject \u201cunlawful orders\u201d from the president.<\/p>\n

Rick Gaumer, a 77-year-old from Norwich, said he had been a member of the War Resisters League for nearly half a century. He said that his father had served in the Army Air Corps during World War II and that he suffered from frequent illnesses in the years after his service.\u00a0<\/p>\n

\u201cI hope that the Coast Guard is going to be doing what it should be doing, which is protecting the coastline and helping sailors and the like who get in trouble,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n

Ronna Suller, a 76-year-old from New London holding a banner that read \u201cNuclear Weapons are Illegal,\u201d said she was concerned about both the threat of nuclear weapons, the actions of the U.S. and Israel in the Middle East and the lack of care for the earth, air and water.\u00a0<\/p>\n

\u201cI don\u2019t know which will take us down, or if just everything working in tandem is just getting us closer and closer to a breaking point,\u201d she said. \u201cAnd I have kids and I have grandkids, so I might not see it, but I think they might be in for hard times.\u201d<\/p>\n

Jessie Henderson, New London resident, at a protest at McKinley Park in New London, Conn., on Wednesday, May 20, 2026. People gathered to protest President Donald Trump\u2019s Coast Guard graduation speech.<\/p>\n

” data-large-file=”https:\/\/ctmirror.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/TRUMP-COASTGUARD-0520-03-771×578.jpg” src=”https:\/\/ctmirror.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/TRUMP-COASTGUARD-0520-03-771×578.jpg” alt >

Jessie Henderson, New London resident, at a protest at McKinley Park in New London, Conn., on Wednesday, May 20, 2026. People gathered to protest President Donald Trump\u2019s Coast Guard graduation speech. Credit:<\/span> Emilia Otte \/ CT Mirror<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Jessie Henderson, a 26-year-old New London resident who identifies as non-binary, said they had many friends who had medically transitioned to a different gender and that they saw how difficult things had been for them in the current political environment.\u00a0<\/p>\n

\u201cUnfortunately, a lot of our healthcare system is being attacked right now, and all that does is hurt not just trans adults but trans youth especially,\u201d Henderson said.\u00a0\u201cAs a human population, we should not be dictating the rights of other humans, especially because we\u2019re not here to hurt anybody. We just want to be able to live as our most authentic selves.\u201d<\/p>\n

A handful of counter-protestors also attended in support of Trump.<\/p>\n

Keegan Ruiz, 39, said he supported the deportation of illegal immigrants who had committed crimes. He also said that he felt Trump had improved things for Christians \u2014 he said that when he converted to Christianity, he\u2019d felt like family members and friends had made incorrect assumptions about his beliefs or \u201cwritten him off.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n

Ruiz said he did agree with some things that the majority of protestors were saying \u2014 like the idea that America shouldn\u2019t have kings. He said this was his first time attending a protest, and that he wanted to have conversations with people, although he hadn\u2019t had much success.<\/p>\n

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Keegan Ruiz, Plainfield resident, at a protest at McKinley Park in New London, Conn., on Wednesday, May 20, 2026. People gathered to protest President Donald Trump\u2019s Coast Guard graduation speech.<\/p>\n

” data-large-file=”https:\/\/ctmirror.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/TRUMP-COASTGUARD-0520-01-771×578.jpg” src=”https:\/\/ctmirror.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/TRUMP-COASTGUARD-0520-01-771×578.jpg” alt >

Keegan Ruiz, Plainfield resident, at a protest at McKinley Park in New London, Conn., on Wednesday, May 20, 2026. People gathered to protest President Donald Trump\u2019s Coast Guard graduation speech. Credit:<\/span> Emilia Otte \/ CT Mirror<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/p><\/div>\n

\u201cNobody actually wants to talk to me. They just want to shut me up,\u201d Ruiz said. \u201cI\u2019m here just because I want to talk to people, and at least try to engage in some civil conversation or civil debate.\u201d<\/p>\n

The Coast Guard has seen some disruptions over the past year and a half. On top of the shutdowns that colored much of the past seven months, Trump\u2019s return to the White House brought major change to the military and the Coast Guard itself, including the firing of Fagan, the shuttering of DEI-related programs<\/a> and a transgender troop ban.<\/p>\n

Kristi Noem, the former secretary of DHS, was fired<\/a> in March over her handling of the administration\u2019s immigration crackdown and personal matters that gave way to unflattering attention and headlines. Markwayne Mullin, a U.S. senator from Oklahoma, was installed as her successor<\/a>. He also spoke at Wednesday\u2019s commencement to introduce the president.<\/p>\n

Alex Matthiessen, a 65-year-old who attended last year\u2019s protest at McKinley Park when Noem spoke<\/a> at the Coast Guard Academy graduation, said she felt the situation in the U.S. had gotten worse in the intervening year. She mentioned rising food prices, high gas prices and corruption in the White House.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s very overwhelming for people,\u201d Matthiessen said. \u201cI mean, this [protest] is such a small thing, you know? It\u2019s all we can do right now. And trying to work on the elections in the fall. That\u2019s what we can do.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

President Donald Trump proclaimed Wednesday that graduating Coast Guard Academy cadets will enter the service in a \u201cgolden age\u201d of America, projecting confidence at a time when the country is reckoning with an unpopular war. Trump received a warm reception on a blistering hot day as he made his way onto Cadet Memorial Field, despite […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":12999,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-12998","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-uncategorized"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/wpinitiate.com\/echo-test\/demo973e36f5\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/12998","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/wpinitiate.com\/echo-test\/demo973e36f5\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/wpinitiate.com\/echo-test\/demo973e36f5\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/wpinitiate.com\/echo-test\/demo973e36f5\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/wpinitiate.com\/echo-test\/demo973e36f5\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=12998"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/wpinitiate.com\/echo-test\/demo973e36f5\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/12998\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/wpinitiate.com\/echo-test\/demo973e36f5\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/12999"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/wpinitiate.com\/echo-test\/demo973e36f5\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=12998"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/wpinitiate.com\/echo-test\/demo973e36f5\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=12998"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/wpinitiate.com\/echo-test\/demo973e36f5\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=12998"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}