WEST POINT, N.Y. (AP) — President Joe Biden told graduates of the U.S. Military Academy on Saturday that their class is being called on to tackle threats around the world and preserve the country’s ideals at home “if no other.”
Biden said the phrase, the class motto, was appropriate for the kinds of challenges they will face as newly appointed army second lieutenants, from supporting Ukraine’s defense against the Russian invasion to facilitating humanitarian aid to Gaza and defending of Israel against attacks by Iran.
“There has never been a time in history when we have asked our military to do so many different things in many different places around the world, all at the same time,” Biden said.
Speaking at sun-drenched West Point, Biden reaffirmed that he will not allow US service members onto the battlefield in Ukraine, but said their work to equip and train Ukrainian forces has met Russian President Vladimir Putin’s “bold vision” “stepped up and stopped”. Europe. Biden praised US forces for helping Israel fend off a massive drone and ballistic missile attack from Iran last month and for their efforts to de-escalate the conflict.
Speaking before the graduating cadets took the oath of their commission, Biden reminded them that they were not pledging allegiance to any person or political party, but to the Constitution. While other speakers alluded to partisan rancor and political divisions across the country, Biden said, “Cling to the values you learned here at West Point.”
“Ideas need defenders to make them reality,” Biden said. “That’s what you’re all about. You must keep us free at this time like never before.”
Biden emphasized that sexual assaults and harassment in the military fell last year for the first time in a decade, calling it “a long time ago,” but said more work was still needed.
The president stood for more than an hour, greeting and shaking hands with each graduate. Biden, as usual, also cleared cadets of minor offenses committed during their time at the academy, adding with a laugh, “the superintendent can clarify what minor means.”
