Trump Refers To The USS Gerald Ford Carrier As A Symbol Of Power
Commander In Chief Donald Trump is celebrating what he sets forth as America’s return to global military prominence.
At 4:40 p.m., Trump delivered a speech saying there has been “a shortfall in military readiness” and declares “a very, very bad time for the military” in years past.
Trump proclaims the next-generation aircraft carrier, costing $12.9 billion, as the symbol of the new era where “everyone will know that America is coming and America is coming strong.” In the earlier part of this year, Trump granted an interview in which he criticized the high-tech electromagnetic catapult that stands as one of Ford’s signature innovations while expressing his own preference for the usual traditional steam-fueled catapult. Trump did not make mention of the issue on Saturday.
At 3 p.m., the president has a late lunch, dining at Trump’s golf club in Northern Virginia with chief of staff Reince Priebus, adviser Stephen Miller and Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin and his wife, Louise.
The three key staff members, along with Mnuchin’s wife, met with Trump on Saturday for a fast trip to Norfolk, Virginia. President Trump participated in the commissioning ceremony for the new aircraft carrier, the USS Gerald R. Ford. Trump enjoys spending time at the club during the weekends when he is in Washington. The White House did not announce what would be served for lunch.
At 11:40 a.m., Trump calls on Congress to approve an increased military spending budget so that America can construct “the best equipment.”
Trump gave a speech while aboard the USS Gerald R. Ford in Norfolk, Virginia, during the commissioning ceremony for the $12.9 billion state-of-the-art aircraft carrier. He spoke words of criticism for what he referred to as a lack of investment in new military technology and “a shortfall in military readiness” under the previous administration. Trump charged Congress with the responsibility of doing “its job and pass the budget,” which increases military funding. The USS Ford is the first member of the nuclear-powered aircraft carriers that will lead the next generation. Construction commenced in 2009 and was scheduled to be completed by September 2015, costing $10.5 billion. The Navy blames the delays and budget overruns on the carrier’s state-of-the-art systems.
At 11:25 a.m. President Trump calls the technologically advanced aircraft carrier “A 100,000-ton message to the world” of American military force during the commissioning ceremony for the USS Gerald R. Ford in Norfolk, Virginia.
Trump said: “Wherever this vessel cuts through the horizon our allies will rest easy and our enemies will shake with fear because everyone will know that America is coming and America is coming strong.” The vessel is the first nuclear-powered aircraft carrier in its’ generation while being named after the country’s 38th president.
At 11:05 a.m., former defense secretaries Donald Rumsfeld and Dick Cheney were just a few who were in attendance at the commissioning ceremony for the USS Gerald R. Ford in Virginia. President and Commander in Chief Trump are presiding over the occurrence in which the $12.9 billion state-of-the-art aircraft carrier is handed over to the control of the Navy. He is accompanied by the current defense secretary, Jim Mattis. Virginia Gov. Terry McAuliffe, Michigan Gov. Rick Snyder and members of Congress from Virginia and Michigan are in attendance to witness the shipboard ceremony. Ford was there to represent Michigan in Congress, alongside his daughter, Susan Ford Bales, the ship’s sponsor.
At 10:15 a.m., President Trump landed on the deck of the USS Gerald R. Ford in order to officially turn the aircraft carrier over to the Navy. Greeted by Defense Secretary Jim Mattis and other officials, Trump and company huddled for several minutes on the humid deck of the carrier docked in Norfolk, Virginia. Trump was transported to the carrier by the Marine One helicopter while being accompanied by chief of staff Reince Priebus, adviser Stephen Miller and Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin.
At 10:35 a.m., Trump arrived in Virginia to assist with the commissioning of the USS Gerald R. Ford, as it was officially be turned over to the Navy. The vessel participated in sea trials back in April, but still, must undergo a series of tests and workups at sea.
