Trump declares Veterans Day as ‘Victory Day,’ honors those with ‘the courage to serve’

President Donald Trump on Tuesday declared Veterans Day as “Victory Day” and praised America’s military might. 

“From now on, we’re going to be celebrating Victory Day for World War I, for World War II, and frankly, for everything else,” Trump said in remarks at Arlington National Cemetery on the first Veterans Day of his second term in office. 

He slammed “politically correct” language and said the era of political correctness was over. “From now on, when we fight a war, we only fight for one reason: to win. We fight to win,” he said about the Department of Defense name change back to the Department of War.  

Trump laid a wreath at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier ahead of his remarks. He was joined at the event by Vice President JD Vance and high-level cabinet members.  

“Every captain of industry, every pioneer of science, and every star whose brilliance has lit up the lights of Broadway all share one thing in common,” Trump said. “They only had the chance to soar because the veterans had the courage to serve.” 

He added that everything the country has achieved is due to the “muscle, spine and steel of the United States military,” crediting the “fierce and noble” patriots serving in the Army, Navy, Air Force, Space Force, Coast Guard and Marines.  

Trump promised his administration was working to end veteran homelessness and said since January the veteran unemployment rate has fallen by more than 26%. He briefly addressed the government shutdown, calling out Speaker Mike Johnson for a “very big victory; we’re opening up our country. It should’ve never been closed.”  

Vance, a veteran himself, also spoke at the cemetery to thank veterans for their service and sacrifice. “Every single person who put on the uniform of this nation deserves our gratitude, on this day especially, but every day.” 

Vance reminded political leaders that “the most important natural resource that we have is hundreds of thousands of young people every single month who sign up to put on the uniform and risk their lives for their fellow citizens.” He said it is the responsibility of elected officials to ensure the military is the “bravest and best fighting force anywhere in the world.” 

He encouraged the American public to thank veterans by calling them or buying them a meal.  

Secretary of Veterans Affairs Doug Collins said on “this day of Thanksgiving” for those who serve, he had a message to Congress and the media. “I’m a little bit tired of people saying that veterans keep getting stuff,” he said. “No, veterans do not get anything from this country. They have earned everything that they are getting, and I am committed to making sure they will always have that from this administration.”

Photo credit: The White House