(NewsNation) — President Donald Trump made remarks at Fort Bragg on Tuesday as part of the U.S. Army’s 250th anniversary celebration.
Fort Bragg, located near Fayetteville, North Carolina, serves as headquarters for the U.S. Army Special Operations Command. Highly trained units like the Green Berets and the Rangers are based there.
“For two and a half centuries, our soldiers have marched into the raging fires of battle and obliterated America’s enemies,” Trump said. “There’s never been anything like it. There’s never been a force like this.”
Trump highlighted the military’s surge in recruitment after the Army announced it met its yearly goal of 61,000 new soldiers, four months ahead of schedule — marking a significant shift after falling short of recruitment goals in two of the past three years.
“We’ve already surpassed recruiting targets for 2025, and we’re not done yet,” added Trump. “We’re getting the best people you’ve ever seen. I don’t think we’ve ever seen anything like it.”
In addition, Trump announced that his administration will be restoring the names of several military bases, including Fort Pickett, Fort Hood, Fort Gordon, Fort Rucker, Fort Polk, Fort A.P. Hill, and Fort Robert E. Lee.
On the visit, Trump also met with service members and their families, observed training, and viewed demonstrations of the military’s capabilities.
Trump: ‘No military like our military’
The celebration also set the stage for a military parade in Washington, D.C., on Saturday, which coincides with Trump’s 79th birthday.
“We want to show off a little bit, said Trump. “Recently, other countries celebrated the victory of World War I. France was celebrating. They’re all celebrating. The only one that doesn’t celebrate is the USA. And we’re the ones that won the war.”
Organizers expect hundreds of thousands to attend the parade, and the stars of the show have said the parade will be a once-in-a-lifetime experience.
“For me to be a part of this as the command sergeant major who has been in the Army for 24 years, you know, to be here in Washington, D.C., that I’ve never been to before …” said Army Sgt. Maj. Carla Stancil. “Stories I can tell my kids. I FaceTimed my kids and said, ‘Hey, I’m here!’ right, and they can’t wait to see the parade and actually watch it on TV.”
Organizers expect the event will further help boost recruitment numbers.
“The Army will soon be stronger, bigger, and better than ever before,” Trump said.
Trump deploys military to LA protests
Trump’s visit to Fort Bragg, which was known as Fort Liberty from 2023 until earlier this year, followed his sending of the National Guard and U.S. Marines to Los Angeles in an attempt to quiet immigration protests.
“What you’re witnessing in California is an assault on peace, on public order, and our national sovereignty that is being carried out by rioters in hopes of continuing a foreign invasion,” he said.
Trump authorized the deployment of thousands of National Guard troops to the city over the objections of Democratic California Gov. Gavin Newsom. About 700 Marines were also due to formally deploy to Los Angeles.
The Associated Press contributed to this story.