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Trump Honors D-Day Troops: ‘Your Legend Will Never Die’ Trump Honors D-Day Troops: ‘Your Legend Will Never Die’
(30 minutes later)
President Trump marked the 75th anniversary of the D-Day invasion in Normandy at a ceremony at the grave site of more than 9,380 American service members who were killed in the World War II landings and the operations that followed.President Trump marked the 75th anniversary of the D-Day invasion in Normandy at a ceremony at the grave site of more than 9,380 American service members who were killed in the World War II landings and the operations that followed.
“To the men that sit behind me and to the boys that rest in the field before me, your example will never grow old,” Mr. Trump said, with an audience of veterans behind him. “Your legend will never die.”“To the men that sit behind me and to the boys that rest in the field before me, your example will never grow old,” Mr. Trump said, with an audience of veterans behind him. “Your legend will never die.”
Mr. Trump and the first lady emerged from the president’s military helicopter just before 11 a.m., their arrival shown on two screens flanking the large stage. Cheers erupted from the audience for Mr. Trump, with some audience members taking off their caps and waving them.Mr. Trump and the first lady emerged from the president’s military helicopter just before 11 a.m., their arrival shown on two screens flanking the large stage. Cheers erupted from the audience for Mr. Trump, with some audience members taking off their caps and waving them.
President Emmanuel Macron of France and Mr. Trump greeted the more than 60 aging World War II veterans in attendance as they arrived onstage. Many were bundled with blankets, and at least one American veteran called out to Mr. Trump: “Hey, you’re our president, too. Come on up this way.”President Emmanuel Macron of France and Mr. Trump greeted the more than 60 aging World War II veterans in attendance as they arrived onstage. Many were bundled with blankets, and at least one American veteran called out to Mr. Trump: “Hey, you’re our president, too. Come on up this way.”
At the ceremony, Mr. Trump shared stories of some of the veterans and families onstage by name and told of their connections to D-Day, as the crowd rose in applause for each of those honored.At the ceremony, Mr. Trump shared stories of some of the veterans and families onstage by name and told of their connections to D-Day, as the crowd rose in applause for each of those honored.
The president paused several times, turned to the soldiers and family members onstage, and walked over and shook their hands. In one especially moving moment, Mr. Macron helped one of the men, 94-year-old Russell Pickett, rise to his feet as he momentarily struggled to stand.The president paused several times, turned to the soldiers and family members onstage, and walked over and shook their hands. In one especially moving moment, Mr. Macron helped one of the men, 94-year-old Russell Pickett, rise to his feet as he momentarily struggled to stand.
Mr. Trump also remembered the lives lost in the operation, and though he has usually been critical of NATO during his time in office, he nodded to the military partnerships between the Allied nations.Mr. Trump also remembered the lives lost in the operation, and though he has usually been critical of NATO during his time in office, he nodded to the military partnerships between the Allied nations.
Of the nearly 160,000 Allied troops who landed on Omaha, Juno and the other beaches of northern France or parachuted behind German lines, about 73,000 were from the United States. More than two million troops from 12 countries, including soldiers, pilots, medics and other personnel, took part in the battle for western France, called Operation Overlord.Of the nearly 160,000 Allied troops who landed on Omaha, Juno and the other beaches of northern France or parachuted behind German lines, about 73,000 were from the United States. More than two million troops from 12 countries, including soldiers, pilots, medics and other personnel, took part in the battle for western France, called Operation Overlord.
“To all of our friends and partners — our cherished alliance was forged in the heat of battle, tested in the trials of war and proven in the blessings of peace,” Mr. Trump said. “Our bond is unbreakable.”“To all of our friends and partners — our cherished alliance was forged in the heat of battle, tested in the trials of war and proven in the blessings of peace,” Mr. Trump said. “Our bond is unbreakable.”
A pre With marble crosses and Stars of David marking the graves of those who died fighting the Nazis on D-Day visible in the background, Mr. Trump used the occasion of the 75th anniversary of the invasion of Normandy to bash the special counsel, Robert S. Mueller III, in an interview with Fox News.
“He made such a fool out of himself,” Mr. Trump told the interviewer, Laura Ingraham, in a discussion taped minutes before the president stepped onto the dais with a few dozen surviving D-Day soldiers.
His remarks about Mr. Mueller, a decorated military veteran who served in Vietnam, were not particularly surprising on their own — Mr. Trump has been criticizing him for months.
But President Trump chose to make the statements in an interview that was carved out shortly before a solemn occasion commemorating one of the most consequential military victories in American history.
It was similar to Mr. Trump’s dismissiveness of the Vietnam War in another television interview earlier in the week; he had made such remarks before, but the timing, coming before D-Day celebrations with leaders of allied nations, was notable.
“What people don’t report is the letter he had to do to straighten out his testimony because his testimony was wrong,” Mr. Trump said of Mr. Mueller. It was unclear what he meant by “testimony” — Mr. Mueller has said he will not voluntarily testify before Congress.
But the “letter” appeared to be a reference to a roughly ten-minute statement that Mr. Mueller delivered last week when he formally resigned his position. In the statement, he made clear his team had not exonerated Mr. Trump, as he has claimed.
Mr. Trump also used the interview to criticize the House speaker, Nancy Pelosi, who also attended the D-Day commemoration. A report on the website Politico on Wednesday said that Ms. Pelosi told colleagues who want to see Mr. Trump face impeachment proceedings that she would rather see him lose and then be indicted and put “in prison.”
“Nancy Pelosi is a disaster,” Mr. Trump said, adding that he calls her “Nervous Nancy.”
“Let her do what she wants,” he said.
Of the Democrats, Mr. Trump said: “You know what? I think they’re in big trouble.”
President Trump and President Emmanuel Macron of France spoke to reporters before their meeting in Caen, a city that was heavily bombed during the D-Day invasion. Topics on the agenda included trade, military cooperation and more, according to Mr. Trump.President Trump and President Emmanuel Macron of France spoke to reporters before their meeting in Caen, a city that was heavily bombed during the D-Day invasion. Topics on the agenda included trade, military cooperation and more, according to Mr. Trump.
When asked about their relationship, Mr. Trump said, “It’s been good and sometimes it hasn’t been, but at this point it’s outstanding.”When asked about their relationship, Mr. Trump said, “It’s been good and sometimes it hasn’t been, but at this point it’s outstanding.”
The two leaders once had a warm relationship — characterized by effusive mutual praise and long, much-scrutinized handshakes — but it has chilled in recent months as their disagreements have widened on issues like climate change and the nuclear accord with Iran.The two leaders once had a warm relationship — characterized by effusive mutual praise and long, much-scrutinized handshakes — but it has chilled in recent months as their disagreements have widened on issues like climate change and the nuclear accord with Iran.
Asked by reporters about the difference in opinion on Iran, Mr. Trump said, “I don’t think we have differences over Iran.”Asked by reporters about the difference in opinion on Iran, Mr. Trump said, “I don’t think we have differences over Iran.”
“He doesn’t want to see them having nuclear weapons, and I don’t want to see them having nuclear weapons,” Mr. Trump said.“He doesn’t want to see them having nuclear weapons, and I don’t want to see them having nuclear weapons,” Mr. Trump said.
Mr. Macron seemed to echo that point and said the two countries shared the same goals, though the French leader spoke more specifically about the need for dialogue with Tehran in order to achieve those goals.Mr. Macron seemed to echo that point and said the two countries shared the same goals, though the French leader spoke more specifically about the need for dialogue with Tehran in order to achieve those goals.
“All the other debates are about technicalities,” Mr. Macron said. “We need to open negotiations in order to get to these objectives.”“All the other debates are about technicalities,” Mr. Macron said. “We need to open negotiations in order to get to these objectives.”
Mr. Macron has tried to position himself as the leader of Europe’s centrists and moderates, directly opposed to the nationalists and populists who have found common cause with Mr. Trump on trade and immigration. But on Thursday, the American and French leaders were united in their praise for each other, with Mr. Trump calling the joint cooperation on D-Day “a great unifying situation.”Mr. Macron has tried to position himself as the leader of Europe’s centrists and moderates, directly opposed to the nationalists and populists who have found common cause with Mr. Trump on trade and immigration. But on Thursday, the American and French leaders were united in their praise for each other, with Mr. Trump calling the joint cooperation on D-Day “a great unifying situation.”
President Trump’s speech touched on the sacrifice of the Americans who died in Normandy and honored the legacy of the veterans who survived the Allied operation, dozens of whom sat onstage behind him. Here are some of the highlights:President Trump’s speech touched on the sacrifice of the Americans who died in Normandy and honored the legacy of the veterans who survived the Allied operation, dozens of whom sat onstage behind him. Here are some of the highlights:
Mr. Trump began by acknowledging the allied forces that fought together on D-Day, and then turned to the Americans.Mr. Trump began by acknowledging the allied forces that fought together on D-Day, and then turned to the Americans.
“They came from the farms of a vast heartland, the streets of glowing cities and the forges of mighty industrial towns,” he said. “Before the war, many had never ventured beyond their own community. Now, they had come to offer their lives halfway across the world.”“They came from the farms of a vast heartland, the streets of glowing cities and the forges of mighty industrial towns,” he said. “Before the war, many had never ventured beyond their own community. Now, they had come to offer their lives halfway across the world.”
“They came here and saved freedom, and then they went home and showed us what freedom was all about,” Mr. Trump said. “They built a national culture that inspired the entire world.”“They came here and saved freedom, and then they went home and showed us what freedom was all about,” Mr. Trump said. “They built a national culture that inspired the entire world.”
“The blood that they spilled, the tears that they shed, the lives that they gave, the sacrifice that they made, did not just win a battle, it did not just win a war,” the president said. “Those who fought here won a future for a nation.”“The blood that they spilled, the tears that they shed, the lives that they gave, the sacrifice that they made, did not just win a battle, it did not just win a war,” the president said. “Those who fought here won a future for a nation.”
The president went on to recognize several surviving soldiers by name, including former Army medic Arnold Raymond “Ray” Lambert, 98, and paused his remarks to walk with President Emmanuel Macron of France to shake Mr. Lambert’s hand. He later embraced Russell Pickett, 94, who also stormed Normandy on D-Day.The president went on to recognize several surviving soldiers by name, including former Army medic Arnold Raymond “Ray” Lambert, 98, and paused his remarks to walk with President Emmanuel Macron of France to shake Mr. Lambert’s hand. He later embraced Russell Pickett, 94, who also stormed Normandy on D-Day.
“From across the Earth, Americans are drawn to this place as though it were a part of our very soul,” Mr. Trump said.“From across the Earth, Americans are drawn to this place as though it were a part of our very soul,” Mr. Trump said.
“We come not only because of what they did here, we come because of who they were,” the president said. “They were young men with their entire lives before them. They were husbands who said goodbye to their young brides and took their duty as their fate.”“We come not only because of what they did here, we come because of who they were,” the president said. “They were young men with their entire lives before them. They were husbands who said goodbye to their young brides and took their duty as their fate.”
“They came wave after wave without question, without hesitation and without complaint,” Mr. Trump said. “More powerful than the strength of American arms was the strength of American hearts."“They came wave after wave without question, without hesitation and without complaint,” Mr. Trump said. “More powerful than the strength of American arms was the strength of American hearts."
President Emmanuel Macron of France, speaking at the American cemetery, praised those who lost their lives on the beaches of Normandy for their sacrifice and thanked the veterans in attendance, while also making pointed reference to historic alliance between the two nations.President Emmanuel Macron of France, speaking at the American cemetery, praised those who lost their lives on the beaches of Normandy for their sacrifice and thanked the veterans in attendance, while also making pointed reference to historic alliance between the two nations.
“We know what we owe America,” Mr. Macron said, turning to President Trump, who was sitting behind him. “America, dear President Donald Trump, is never as great as when it fights for the freedom of others.”“We know what we owe America,” Mr. Macron said, turning to President Trump, who was sitting behind him. “America, dear President Donald Trump, is never as great as when it fights for the freedom of others.”
After his speech, Mr. Macron decorated several of those veterans, who were seated onstage throughout the ceremony, with the Legion of Honor, France’s highest award.After his speech, Mr. Macron decorated several of those veterans, who were seated onstage throughout the ceremony, with the Legion of Honor, France’s highest award.
These troops, Mr. Macron said, were “thousands of kilometers away from their home, coming to aid to women and men that they didn’t know, to free lands that, for the most part, they had never set foot upon.”These troops, Mr. Macron said, were “thousands of kilometers away from their home, coming to aid to women and men that they didn’t know, to free lands that, for the most part, they had never set foot upon.”
“Today, France does not forget,” Mr. Macron said, adding, in English: “We know what we owe to you veterans: our freedom. On behalf of my nation, I just want to say thank you.”“Today, France does not forget,” Mr. Macron said, adding, in English: “We know what we owe to you veterans: our freedom. On behalf of my nation, I just want to say thank you.”
Mr. Macron said that France and the United States must honor what he called “the Normandy promise,” to never forget that “when free people unite, they can rise to any challenge.”Mr. Macron said that France and the United States must honor what he called “the Normandy promise,” to never forget that “when free people unite, they can rise to any challenge.”
Mr. Macron went on to mention the United Nations, NATO and the European Union as multilateral institutions that furthered that promise after the war — but that Mr. Trump has expressed repeated skepticism of.Mr. Macron went on to mention the United Nations, NATO and the European Union as multilateral institutions that furthered that promise after the war — but that Mr. Trump has expressed repeated skepticism of.
“We must never cease to foster the alliance of free people,” Mr. Macron said.“We must never cease to foster the alliance of free people,” Mr. Macron said.
Mr. Macron and Prime Minister Theresa May of Britain visited a new British war memorial at Ver-sur-Mer, a small coastal town in Normandy, on Thursday for a ceremony on the anniversary of D-Day.Mr. Macron and Prime Minister Theresa May of Britain visited a new British war memorial at Ver-sur-Mer, a small coastal town in Normandy, on Thursday for a ceremony on the anniversary of D-Day.
Mr. Macron said that the monument, which is under construction, would be a “powerful symbol of the ties uniting our two nations” and a fitting tribute to the 22,000 soldiers under British command who died in the battle for Normandy.Mr. Macron said that the monument, which is under construction, would be a “powerful symbol of the ties uniting our two nations” and a fitting tribute to the 22,000 soldiers under British command who died in the battle for Normandy.
“Nothing will ever erase these ties made of shed blood and shared values,” Mr. Macron said, adding, in an apparent reference to Britain’s drawn-out and bitter withdrawal from the European Union, that “the debates of the present take nothing away — on the contrary — from the strength of our shared history and our common future.”“Nothing will ever erase these ties made of shed blood and shared values,” Mr. Macron said, adding, in an apparent reference to Britain’s drawn-out and bitter withdrawal from the European Union, that “the debates of the present take nothing away — on the contrary — from the strength of our shared history and our common future.”
“Whatever it takes, we will always stand together, because this is our common destiny,” Mr. Macron said, also expressing his “friendship” toward Mrs. May, who will soon step down as prime minister. Mrs. May also spoke, praising the soldiers not only for their military actions, but for what they represented.“Whatever it takes, we will always stand together, because this is our common destiny,” Mr. Macron said, also expressing his “friendship” toward Mrs. May, who will soon step down as prime minister. Mrs. May also spoke, praising the soldiers not only for their military actions, but for what they represented.
“These young men belonged to a very special generation, the greatest generation, a generation whose unconquerable spirit shaped the postwar world,” she said. “They didn’t boast. They didn’t fuss. They served. And they laid down their lives so that we might have a better life and build a better world.”“These young men belonged to a very special generation, the greatest generation, a generation whose unconquerable spirit shaped the postwar world,” she said. “They didn’t boast. They didn’t fuss. They served. And they laid down their lives so that we might have a better life and build a better world.”
Later on Thursday, Mr. Macron met in Bayeux with two French veterans, Léon Gautier and Jacques Lewis, both of whom took part in the D-Day landings. About 3,000 French troops took part in the Overlord operation, including 177 Marines who landed on the beaches.Later on Thursday, Mr. Macron met in Bayeux with two French veterans, Léon Gautier and Jacques Lewis, both of whom took part in the D-Day landings. About 3,000 French troops took part in the Overlord operation, including 177 Marines who landed on the beaches.
Nearly 3,000 French civilians in Normandy were killed on D-Day, almost as many as the number of Allied troops who died that day.Nearly 3,000 French civilians in Normandy were killed on D-Day, almost as many as the number of Allied troops who died that day.
Shortly before leaving Ireland for the D-Day commemoration in Normandy, Mr. Trump tweeted about a matter of utmost importance to him — his media coverage.Shortly before leaving Ireland for the D-Day commemoration in Normandy, Mr. Trump tweeted about a matter of utmost importance to him — his media coverage.
A short time later, he followed with, “A big and beautiful day today!” And then a post on Twitter about D-Day, quoting himself discussing the anniversary, apparently from remarks he plans to give.A short time later, he followed with, “A big and beautiful day today!” And then a post on Twitter about D-Day, quoting himself discussing the anniversary, apparently from remarks he plans to give.
The trifecta of tweets was in keeping with the split-screen rendition of the presidency that Mr. Trump delivered during the first three days of his European trip. He toggled back and forth between insulting a celebrity and a senator on Twitter and offering warm words of appreciation to some of the few remaining veterans of World War II and mingling with the British royal family.The trifecta of tweets was in keeping with the split-screen rendition of the presidency that Mr. Trump delivered during the first three days of his European trip. He toggled back and forth between insulting a celebrity and a senator on Twitter and offering warm words of appreciation to some of the few remaining veterans of World War II and mingling with the British royal family.
As he prepared to board the plane for France on Thursday morning, Mr. Trump stopped to discuss tariffs on Mexican and Chinese imports, and to bash Democrats over immigration laws.As he prepared to board the plane for France on Thursday morning, Mr. Trump stopped to discuss tariffs on Mexican and Chinese imports, and to bash Democrats over immigration laws.
“Mexico was in yesterday. They’re coming back this morning,” said Mr. Trump, who has threatened to impose a 5 percent tariff on Mexican imports starting Monday in a bid to force the neighboring country to take additional measures to curb the flow of Central American migrants crossing the United States’ southwestern border.“Mexico was in yesterday. They’re coming back this morning,” said Mr. Trump, who has threatened to impose a 5 percent tariff on Mexican imports starting Monday in a bid to force the neighboring country to take additional measures to curb the flow of Central American migrants crossing the United States’ southwestern border.
“They have to step up to the plate — and perhaps they will,” he said. Mr. Trump also said that was prepared to impose “at least $300 billion” in additional tariffs on goods from China, “and I’ll do that at the right time.”“They have to step up to the plate — and perhaps they will,” he said. Mr. Trump also said that was prepared to impose “at least $300 billion” in additional tariffs on goods from China, “and I’ll do that at the right time.”
He said that Democrats in Congress had been “a disaster,” adding, “They want free immigration. They want immigration to pour into our country.”He said that Democrats in Congress had been “a disaster,” adding, “They want free immigration. They want immigration to pour into our country.”
Then he turned to leave, saying: “I think China wants to make a deal badly. I think Mexico wants to make a deal badly. And I’m going to Normandy.”Then he turned to leave, saying: “I think China wants to make a deal badly. I think Mexico wants to make a deal badly. And I’m going to Normandy.”
John Kerry, the former secretary of state and Vietnam veteran, was among the dignitaries who arrived before the ceremony began in Normandy.John Kerry, the former secretary of state and Vietnam veteran, was among the dignitaries who arrived before the ceremony began in Normandy.
Mr. Trump has previously said that Mr. Kerry — who was a key negotiator in the Iran nuclear deal — should be prosecuted for discussions with Iranian officials after he left office. But Mr. Kerry waved away questions about politics when asked about the president on Thursday.Mr. Trump has previously said that Mr. Kerry — who was a key negotiator in the Iran nuclear deal — should be prosecuted for discussions with Iranian officials after he left office. But Mr. Kerry waved away questions about politics when asked about the president on Thursday.
“This is not a place to talk about Democrat or Republican or anything political,” Mr. Kerry told a small group of reporters near the security tent.“This is not a place to talk about Democrat or Republican or anything political,” Mr. Kerry told a small group of reporters near the security tent.
“We have a challenging world and this place, to me at least, is a statement about sacrifice and commitment” to solve those problems, he said.“We have a challenging world and this place, to me at least, is a statement about sacrifice and commitment” to solve those problems, he said.
Mr. Kerry laid out what was on the line during the Normandy invasion.Mr. Kerry laid out what was on the line during the Normandy invasion.
“It’s about the bigger issue of what was at stake in that moment when tyranny, fascism, a lack of tolerance” were “being used to separate people, to kill people and to divide a world in a very different way than the way people in democracies have grown up feeling is a better approach,” Mr. Kerry said.“It’s about the bigger issue of what was at stake in that moment when tyranny, fascism, a lack of tolerance” were “being used to separate people, to kill people and to divide a world in a very different way than the way people in democracies have grown up feeling is a better approach,” Mr. Kerry said.
Mark Landler, Maggie Haberman, Aurelien Breeden, Michael Wolgelenter, Megan Specia and Alan Yuhas contributed reporting.Mark Landler, Maggie Haberman, Aurelien Breeden, Michael Wolgelenter, Megan Specia and Alan Yuhas contributed reporting.