At Fort Bragg, President Donald Trump praised the U.S. special forces members who ousted Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro, framing the Jan. 3 operation as proof that potential enemies should be afraid of the United States. Addressing soldiers and their families at one of the world’s largest military bases, Trump said the world “saw what the full military might (of) the U.S. military is capable” after the raid.
Trump told the audience that it was “a matter of minutes” before Maduro was taken out, and he said the president would be facing U.S. drug smuggling charges. He also said the operation was “so precise, so incredible,” and he described the Venezuelan raid as showing a broader U.S. capability.
Trump said he would give a Medal of Honor to “one person” for participating in the Venezuelan operation, and he described the forces involved as “some of our greatest soldiers to ever live, frankly.” The president also said his visit reflected a message he wanted to deliver directly to service members, telling them, “Your commander in chief supports you totally.”
The Feb. 13 visit included a meeting with military families in addition to Trump speaking to troops. After those meetings, Trump told reporters that “we saw a lot of heroes,” and he referred to the participants as “great patriots.” The AP report described the event as drawing political elements as well, including Trump’s decision to bring a North Carolina political figure onto the stage during the visit.
Trump had called to the stage Michael Whatley, a former Republican National Committee chair who has Trump’s endorsement as he runs for Senate in North Carolina. Whatley thanked Trump and suggested the president was “giving me an opportunity to represent you,” even though the election is not until November, according to the AP account of the event.
While Trump emphasized U.S. military strength, he also made comments that linked the Venezuela operation to wider foreign-policy and regional tensions. He said he planned to send a second aircraft carrier group to the Middle East amid rising tensions with Iran, and he returned to a deterrence theme, saying “America’s respected again” and that “we are feared” by enemies around the globe.
Trump said he did not “like to say fear,” but he suggested that fear is sometimes necessary to bring about outcomes he wants. He also pledged that, “As long as I’m president,” the U.S. would have what he described as the best-led, best-trained, best-equipped, most-disciplined and most-elite fighting force.
In addition to the military remarks, Trump referenced economic issues in connection with his political travel. The AP report said he spent only limited time on economic policy during the Fort Bragg stop, though he noted that a White House-backed tax and spending package is increasing funding for military housing. The report also said he cheered data released that day showing inflation fell to nearly a five-year low.
Trump also shifted to Venezuela’s leadership and energy future. The AP report said he praised Maduro’s replacement, acting Venezuelan President Delcy Rodriguez, and said instead of pushing for elections in Venezuela, his administration is inviting top oil companies there to rebuild Venezuela’s energy industry. Trump told reporters, “The relationship is strong, the oil is coming out,” and said U.S. companies would be “pumping out the oil and selling the oil for a lot of money.”