WEST POINT, N.Y. — On Saturday, President Joe Biden told graduates of the U.S. Military Academy that they are needed to handle global threats and uphold the country’s values at home like never before.
Biden said their class motto fits the challenges they will face as new Army second lieutenants, from helping Ukraine defend against Russia’s invasion to providing aid in Gaza and protecting Israel from Iran’s attacks.
“There’s never been a time in history when we’ve asked our military to do so many different things in so many different places around the world, all at the same time,” Biden said.
The president returned a salute from and shook the hand of each graduate.
Speaking under the sunny skies at West Point, Biden confirmed that American troops will not be sent to fight in Ukraine. However, he highlighted that their efforts to equip and train Ukrainian forces have successfully halted Russian President Putin’s aggressive plans for Europe.
Biden also commended U.S. forces for helping Israel defend against a major drone and missile attack from Iran last month and for their efforts to ease the conflict.
Addressing the graduating cadets before they took their oaths, Biden reminded them that their loyalty is to the Constitution, not to any person or political party. Amid mentions of political division in the country, Biden urged them to stay true to the values they learned at West Point.
“Ideas need defenders to make them real,” Biden said. “That’s what you are all about. You must keep us free at this time like none before.”
Biden pointed out that last year, rates of sexual assault and harassment in the military dropped for the first time in ten years, saying it was overdue but more needs to be done.
The president spent over an hour saluting and shaking hands with each graduate.
The graduating class had around 1,000 cadets, according to the academy.
As is tradition, Biden also forgave cadets for minor offenses committed while at the academy, joking that the superintendent could explain what counts as minor.
