26-05-2025
Trump lays wreath at Arlington National Cemetery to mark Memorial Day
President Donald Trump is marking Memorial Day at Arlington National Cemetery on Monday.
During an overcast morning, Trump took part in the traditional wreath-laying ceremony at the Tomb of the Unknowns.
He was joined by Vice President JD Vance, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and Commanding General of U.S. Military District of Washington Maj. Gen. Trevor Bredenkamp. All four men raised their hands in salute.
Also in attendance were Joint Chiefs Chairman Gen. John Daniel Caine, Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard, Veteran Affairs Secretary Doug Collins and other Trump officials.
Trump will deliver remarks at Memorial Amphitheater, in which he will pay tribute to those who died in America's wars.
"These warriors picked up the mantle of duty and service, knowing that to live for others meant always that they might die for others. They asked nothing. They gave everything. And we owe them everything and more," Trump will say, according to excerpts released by the White House.
"The greatest monument to their courage is not carved in marble or cast in bronze -- it is all around us, an American nation 300 million strong, which will soon be greater than ever before," Trump will say.
MORE: Trump praises West Point graduates, touts 'golden age' of US military in commencement speech
The president earlier Monday had posted to his conservative social media platform a generic message in all-capital letters commemorating the holiday.
In a second Memorial Day social media post, Trump focused largely on lashing out at federal judges and perceived political opponents. It contained no mention of U.S. military personnel who lost their lives while serving in the armed forces.
Trump wished a happy holiday to all -- including "the scum" he said "spent the last four years trying to destroy our country through warped radical left minds."
The rest of the post criticized the previous administration on border security, and hit out at judges who've blocked parts of Trump's immigration agenda.
ABC News' Kelsey Walsh contributed to this report.
Trump lays wreath at Arlington National Cemetery to mark Memorial Day originally appeared on
