FORT BRAGG, North Carolina — President Donald Trump announced the renaming of several military bases and proposed jail time for flag burners during a military-themed speech at Fort Bragg in North Carolina.
The rally-style speech was given in honor of the Army’s 250th anniversary, though Trump weaved from topic to topic throughout.
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“From June 1775 to June 2025, those foolish enough to challenge America’s Army have been met with unyielding strength, unbreakable spirit and unstoppable, overwhelming force,” Trump said at the outset. “Time and again, our enemies have learned that if you dare to threaten the American people, American soldiers will chase you down, crush you, and cast you into oblivion.”
Trump was joined at the sprawling base by Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and Secretary of the Army Dan Driscoll. Together, they met with military members and their families during the visit. Other administration officials who made the trip from Washington included VA Secretary Doug Collins, White House chief of staff Susie Wiles, press secretary Karoline Leavitt, and Republican National Committee Chairman Michael Whatley.
Hegseth spoke before Trump, denouncing “woke garbage and political correctness” as the crowd erupted in cheers and waved U.S. flags.
Trump also railed against diversity, equity, and inclusion policies that the Biden administration implemented.
“No soldier ever volunteered for the Army to be lectured about transgender diversity or inclusion,” Trump said. “America’s patriots joined the Army to kick down doors, storm beaches, kill terrorists, and win America’s wars.”
Ahead of his remarks, units at the fort conducted readiness demonstrations for Trump, which he complimented, saying they indicated the strength and durability of the U.S. military.
“Every inch of this space is steeped in the legacy of those warriors who have said with pride, ‘Sir, I trained at Fort Bragg,” Trump said.
The fort, which has been in operation since 1918, was known as Fort Bragg for most of its history, but was briefly renamed Fort Liberty during the Biden administration.
“Bragg” originally referred to Confederate general Braxton Bragg, which was controversial and ultimately caused the fort to be renamed in 2023. However, earlier this year, the Trump administration restored the Fort Bragg name, which now refers to Private First Class Roland L. Bragg, who was stationed at the fort during World War II.
Trump spoke extensively on the name change, saying the Biden administration was responsible for the 2023 alteration. He took credit for changing it back.
“We restored the historic name of this very, very special place,” Trump said. “I don’t know if it could be the same place [with a different name]. Fort Bragg is in. That’s the name, and Fort Bragg it shall always remain. That’s never going to be happening again.”
Trump similarly named several other bases that would have their former names restored, including Fort Pickett, Fort Hood, Fort Gordon, Fort Rucker, Fort Polk, Fort A.P. Hill, and Fort Robert E. Lee.
“We won a lot of battles out of those forts. It’s no time to change,” Trump said. “And I’m superstitious, you know? I like to keep it going.”
Bragg is one of the largest military installations in the world, with more than 52,000 personnel on a site spanning 250 square miles.
The Army was founded on June 14, 1775 — one year ahead of the United States — and will celebrate its 250th anniversary on Saturday with a military parade in Washington, D.C. The date is also Trump’s 79th birthday, which he has insisted is a coincidence.
“It’s not my birthday,” Trump said Monday at the White House before clarifying himself. “It is my birthday, but I’m not celebrating my birthday, I’m celebrating Flag Day. It happens to be the same day, so I take a little heat. But Flag Day is the appropriate date, and we’re celebrating 250 years of the Army.”
Trump has justified the celebration and parade by saying other countries with less successful militaries hold similar celebrations. He named France as an example.
“Under President Trump’s leadership, America’s armed forces have experienced a powerful resurgence, rebuilding military readiness, restoring strength, and investing in next-generation technology to maintain our tactical superiority on every battlefield,” the RNC said in a statement ahead of Trump’s speech.
“This celebration underscores America’s unwavering gratitude to the U.S. Army warriors who have served with courage, character, and an unbreakable commitment to their mission for the past 250 years,” the RNC continued.
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Much of Trump’s remarks resembled his old campaign rallies. He took shots at former President Joe Biden, bragged about winning all seven swing states, said he was securing the southern border, and called out the “radical left lunatics” threatening the country.
At one point, someone in the crowd appeared to suffer a medical event, and Trump briefly stopped his remarks to call for a doctor.
Along with remarks honoring military members, including a 100-year-old World War II veteran, Trump noted that Los Angeles protesters have brandished foreign flags and burned U.S. flags. He proposed making the latter a crime punishable with up to a year in jail.
“People who burned the American flag should go to jail for one year,” Trump said, drawing a big cheer from the crowd. “We’ll see if we can get that done. We’ll try and get that done. We’re working with some of your senators. I know Sen. Josh Hawley (R-MO) is very much involved. And I know the two senators from [North Carolina].”
He finished his speech by addressing the improved military recruiting efforts since he took office, saying morale is up thanks to his policies and the Army has regained its focus.