Last weekend the Daily Mail reported U.K. Ambassador Kim Darroch leveled personal insults against President Trump, the White House and positions the British felt were adverse to their interests in a series of memos dating back to 2017.  Today President Trump responded:

According to additional media reports, British trade minister Liam Fox will apologize to the administration for the inappropriate commentary.

“I will be apologizing for the fact that either our civil service or elements of our political class have not lived up to the expectations that either we have or the United States has about their behavior, which in this particular case has lapsed in a most extraordinary and unacceptable way,” Fox said on BBC radio. (link)

One of the more unique aspects of having a genuine “people’s president”, are the unscripted moments when a generally invisible ordinary American is provided the opportunity to share their perspective.  Mr. Bruce Hrobak from Billy Bones Bait and Tackle of Port St. Lucie, did exactly that today in the White House.  [Watch]

[Transcript] President Trump […] And I also signed legislation authorizing $100 million to fight red tide — a big problem that some people don’t know about but, when you do know about it, that means trouble because it is bad — and other toxic algae that damages coastal areas. It’s causing tremendous havoc, and we have a way of straightening it out, and we’ll get it done.

We’re joined today by Bruce Hrobak, owner of Billy Bones Bait ‘N Tackle in Port St. Lucie — a place I know very well — Florida. His business was devastated by toxic algae from Lake Okeechobee.

Bruce, please come up and tell us about what’s happened and what we’re doing for you. Where is Bruce? (Applause.) Bruce. Hi, Bruce. Please.

MR. HROBAK: I really appreciate it, sir.

THE PRESIDENT: Thank you very much.

MR. HROBAK: Hello. How are you all today? All right, we have made a big trip up here to make sure we’re here. This is very important. This is my family’s business, okay? I’ve owned the Bait ‘N Tackle store since 2001 and been in Florida since 2006.

I have my son Tanner over here with me. He means the world to me. He is my best friend and my son. He’s actually a brain cancer survivor. You know, he beat it and now he’s 21, and — (applause) — thank you. Thank you.

I wanted to say — thank you. I wanted to say that, Mr. President, you’re not only doing a tremendous job all the way around, but you jumping into this environment brings my heart to warmth, knowing that what you’re doing is going — is the truth. It’s going wonderfully.

My business in 2018 was so horrible, we — I own two stores — we closed several days a week because of, you know, the algae and people being frightened, if they were afraid to touch the water and everything. I have a marine mechanic — I just wanted to say really quickly — has a bad infection in his arm from the marine algae and stuff.

But basically, your completion of this Herbert Hoover Dike is going to make a tremendous difference because we can store more water in Lake Okeechobee; safely store it there so the residents that are around there are safe. We care and we’re are concerned about them — us, on the coast. Believe me. And that the water does not go into the Caloosahatchee and to the St. Lucie estuary. It’s full of contanimants [sic] — contaminants and fertilizers.

And, Mr. President, you mentioned about the red tide. It is a natural occurrence. This fertilizer and all these contaminants is like a super power. And we have seen devastation on the west coast like none other before, in 2018.

So, I mean, I’m just so grateful for all the work you’re doing, sir, and everything. And the Everglades restoration. And also, I heard great news that the dike is going to be finished much sooner — ’22 than — 2022 — than expected.

So I personally want to thank you because this year they’re not dumping; our businesses are doing better. My wife don’t yell at me as much. (Laughter.) Well, that always happens.

So, you know, she says to me, “You’re going to be by the President talking.” And I says, “Oh, I don’t need no list or whatever. I’ve got a big mouth. I talk. I don’t care. I’m proud.” (Laughter.) I’m proud of who I am, and what I am.
I’m a licensed charter boat captain, and I’ve done it since 25 — since I’m 25 years old. And I just want to say thank you for the opportunity to speak. Thank you for everything you are doing, sir. I speak for so many people. You are — you bring my heart to warmth for everything you’re doing, and all the way around. (Applause.)

And, sir, my nephew — thank you all. My nephew Kenny Hrobak is like my son. He is in South Korea, right now, in the Army. And he’s doing things. And he is so proud of you, and those boys. They all just — I’ve never seen people that are so proud of our President. And I just — I’m amazed.

I mean, we stayed up to watch you that day when you got elected. We were like, “He’s got it! He’s got it!” (Laughter.) So — I’m sorry, I’m telling the truth. (Applause.)

Listen, my dad taught me — my dad taught me, “Don’t tell no lies.” And when you want me to shut up, I will. But I’m telling the truth. And dad always say — he looked a little like Donald Trump; he did a little bit. But you’re much handsomer. (Laughter.) Thank you. Thank you very much, sir. (Applause.)

I worked in the towers over there (inaudible). I really appreciate it. Thank you, sir. You have no idea how many people appreciate everything you’ve done. I mean it. Thank you so much.

THE PRESIDENT: That’s really nice . I appreciate it.

MR. HROBAK: I appreciate it.

THE PRESIDENT: Thank you very much.

MR. HROBAK: And I want to say one final thing. I’ve got a big mouth. (Laughter.) God bless America and God bless our President! Give him a hand. (Applause.) Trump 2020.

THE PRESIDENT: Thank you, Bruce. Wow. Well, that was unexpected. We appreciate it, Bruce. (Laughter.) That’s better than any speechwriter I could get, right? (Laughter.) Who am I going to get like that? I appreciate it. Thank you.

MR. HROBAK: (Inaudible.) (Off-mic.)

THE PRESIDENT: Thank you very much, Bruce.

[Full Transcript]

One of the best testimonials to President Trump’s pragmatic perspective is his ability to rise above the ridiculous partisan political attacks and look at issues from a non-political solution-driven perspective.

In the latest example California Governor Gavin Newsom has been antagonizing the administration yet outlines how President Trump, a builder-in-chief, immediately called him and expressed his full commitment to helping California recover from two serious earthquakes that hit the state in two consecutive days. After Newsom toured some of the damaged areas he spoke to reporters at a press briefing.

Governor Newsom said he and President Trump talked about the challenges California has recently face, including two devastating wildfires just six months ago. “There’s no question we don’t agree on everything, but one area where there’s no politics, where we work extremely well together, is our response to emergencies”, Newsom said. “He’s committed in the long haul, the long run, to help support the rebuilding efforts” the governor said of President Trump.

Acting director of U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services, Ken Cuccinelli, battles through the manipulative ‘open-border’ narrative of CBS Margaret Brennan to discuss ICE removals, border conditions, and asylum laws:

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How the heck did never-Trump leader Ken Cuccinelli end up with a position in this administration? This is the same guy who tried to lead a 2016 convention effort to change the rules and remove Donald Trump as the Republican nominee.

ADD: After thinking about it, this series of Sunday talk appearances is likely a trial run to test Cuccinelli and see if he has genuinely had a ‘come-to-MAGA‘ change in outlook.

Chopper pressers are the best pressers.  Earlier today President Trump stopped to deliver remarks and answer questions from the assembled media prior to boarding Marine-One.

There is a ton of updated current event information in this chopper presser. [July 4th, Economics, Fed, China, Biden, Wilbur Ross, Census, G20, Trade Deals, etc.]  The full transcript is below the video.

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[Transcript]  THE PRESIDENT: That’s a great crowd of people. We had a phenomenal crowd last night, and it was a fantastic evening for our country. You’re going to have a lot of people being recruited, I think, based on that. We’re going to have a lot of — a lot of people joining our military. And we really needed that.

Our job numbers are so good that the military has a hard time getting people. And I think, really, that you’re going to see a big spike. I’ve already heard it — a lot of people calling in. No place like our military. I think we showed that last night.

We had great numbers this morning. I think it was 224,000 jobs. Those were really unexpectedly good. And our country continues to do really well. Really, really well. So we’re very happy about it. I think we’re going to — we’re going to be breaking records.

If we had a Fed that would lower interest rates, we’d be like a rocket ship, but we’re paying a lot of interest and it’s unnecessary. But we don’t have a Fed that knows what they’re doing, so it’s one of those little things. But if we had a Fed that would lower rates, you would have a rocket ship.

When Obama — President Obama — was here, he paid close to zero interest rates. I’m paying real interest, and yet our economy is much better than it’s ever been. From Election Day, we’re over 50 percent increase, and we pay trillions and trillions of dollars — with a “T” — trillions. So we’re doing very well.

But last night was spectacular. Yes.

Q Mr. President, can you talk to me about infrastructure? Now that you’ve had some successes, are you willing to bring Democrats back to the table to talk about infrastructure — and, in particular, when it comes to rural broadband for your base?

THE PRESIDENT: Yeah. I would love rural broadband. We’re working on it. And I would love to have the Democrats come back and talk about infrastructure, talk about drug pricing.

We’re going to be announcing something very shortly — a favored nations clause. As you know, for years and years, other nations paid less for drugs than we do — sometimes by 60, 70 percent. We’re going to be — and we’re working on it right now. We’re working on a favored nations clause, where we pay whatever lowest nation’s price is.

Why should other nations, like Canada — but why should other nations pay much less than us? They’ve taken advantage of the system for a long time — pharma.

So we’re working on, right now, a favored nations clause, so that whatever the lowest nation is, anywhere in the world — or company — but the lowest nation or company. Then what happens is we will pay that amount, and that’s being worked on right now. We’re going to do it in the form of an executive order.

Q Are you going to issue an executive order on the census?

THE PRESIDENT: We’re thinking about doing that. It’s one of the ways; we have four or five ways we can do it. It’s one of the ways that we’re thinking about doing it very seriously. We’re doing well on the census.

Q Are you upset with Wilbur Ross over his handling?

THE PRESIDENT: No, he made a statement. He wrote something out. The judge didn’t like it. I have a lot of respect for Justice Roberts. But he didn’t like it. But he did say, “Come back.” Essentially, he said, “Come back.” That’s what he was saying.

Q But he had said they were dropping it.

THE PRESIDENT: So we’ll see what happens. We could also add an addition on so we can start the printing now and maybe do an addendum after we get a positive decision. So we’re working on a lot things, including an executive order.

Q Joe Biden called you a “bully” in that interview last night. What do you think of that?

THE PRESIDENT: I don’t think I’m bully at all. I just don’t like taking — being taken advantage of by other countries, by pharmaceutical companies, by all of the people that have taken advantage of this country.

You look at what Joe Biden has done with China. We’ve lost our shirts with China and now China is dying to make a deal. So — and we’re taking, by the way, billions and billions of dollars in tariffs are coming in — and China is paying for it, not our people.

So, if you look at what we’ve done, and if you look at what we’ve straightened out, the — I call it the “Obama-Biden mess.” We’re straightening it out, whether it’s North Korea — you were going to end up in a war with North Korea as sure as you’re standing there. And now the relationship is a good relationship. We’ll see what happens.

But as sure as you’re there, you were going to end up in a war with North Korea.

Q Mr. President, are you going to continue — are you going to hold the ICE raids that you said you gave a two-week break? Do you plan to move forward, and when?

THE PRESIDENT: Well, I don’t call them “raids.” I say they came in illegally, and we’re bringing them out legally. These are people where we have the papers, we’ve gone through the court system. They’ll be starting fairly soon.

But I don’t call them “raids.” We’re removing people that have come in — all of these people over the years that have come in illegally — we are removing them and bringing them back to their country.

Q Were you sending any messages to our adversaries with the military celebration yesterday?

THE PRESIDENT: Well, I don’t think of it in terms of that; we’re just celebrating our country. But there is nobody stronger. There’s nobody that has a military anywhere close to ours.

As you know, we spent $700 billion. When I took over the military, it was absolutely depleted. We had old planes, we had old jets, we had bad — I mean, just stuff that was tired. Now we have the finest jets in the world: the F-35; the F-18s — the new one. We have military equipment the likes of which we’ve never had. Building submarines, building aircraft carriers — all made in the USA. So it’s a double. It’s all made —

Now, I’m all about jobs. We had great job numbers today. But when it comes to the military, it’s not about jobs. We have to have the greatest in the world. There’s nobody that comes close. And our military now is just about the top — just about the best it’s ever been. There’s nobody that comes close to the power we have in our military.

What we have — and, in fact, if you look, our nuclear now is in great shape. We’ve renovated. We’ve fixed. We’re buying some new. Never want to use it. You never want to use it. But we have to be in a position that — we have to be in a position.

But our nuclear is in great shape. Our military now is in great shape.

Q Will you make it an annual event, based on your experience last night?

THE PRESIDENT: Well, I can just tell you, those people that you see — there’s a lot of people in front of the White House — every one of them loved it. I would actually say — and I want to sort of give a little appreciation — the media, generally speaking, loved it. They loved the evening.

We had a lot of rain. I stood in the rain. The teleprompter went out, so I had —

Q Is that what happened with the airport comment in the Revolutionary War?

THE PRESIDENT: Yeah, the teleprompter went out. It kept going on. And then, at the end, it just went out. It went kaput. So I could have said — and, actually, right in the middle of that sentence, it went out. And that’s not a good feeling, when you’re standing in front of millions of millions of people on television, and — I don’t know what the final count was, but that went all the way back to the Washington Monument. And I guess the rain knocked out the teleprompter.

So — but, no, it’s not that. I knew the speech very well, so I was able to do it without a teleprompter. But the teleprompter did go out. And it was actually hard to look at anyway because there was rain all over it.

But, despite the rain, that was just a fantastic evening. I think people really had it. And I think a lot of people — you know, it was really a recruitment situation. A lot of people are going to be going our Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines, Coast Guard.

Q Do you think the New York Attorney General should be fired?

THE PRESIDENT: Well, she campaigned on “I’m going to get Trump. I’m going to get Trump.” She never knew me. I never met her. I don’t know who she is. But she cam- — her whole campaign was that. And that’s illegal; you’re not allowed to do that. She knew nothing about me.

She campaigned — “Oh, I’m going to get Trump. I’m…” We have 100 clips, and so do you. And you can’t do that. Our system isn’t about that. Our system isn’t about, “Let’s see if we can find something.” You can’t do that.

But her whole campaign was “I’m going to get Trump. I’m going to get him.” You can’t do that.

Q (Inaudible.)

THE PRESIDENT: It would have to be a long time. You know what? It’s very interesting. After 500 witnesses, 2,500 subpoenas, every single person I know, practically, was called in one form of another — nothing.

And I’ll tell you what: Even with you people — you’re honest people — none of you could have withstood that. They would have found something. If there was a comma put in the wrong place, if there was period in the wrong location, they would have grabbed it. No collusion. No obstruction. After that, it’s almost — it’s amazing.

You know what it shows? It shows I’m a very honest guy.

Q (Inaudible.)

THE PRESIDENT: So China — so we’ll see what happens. They’re talking to us. They want to make a deal. But we had a deal, and they broke it. They broke the deal. They shouldn’t have broken it. I think if they had it to do again, they wouldn’t. Because, right now, we put very big tariffs on, and we have a lot more to put on if we want. But China broke a deal. We are talking to them. We’ll see what happens.

Q What about Iran? (Inaudible.)

THE PRESIDENT: We’ll see what happens with Iran. Iran has to be very, very careful.

Q (Inaudible.)

THE PRESIDENT: Say it.

Q Why did the Vice President cancel his trip the other day to New Hampshire?

THE PRESIDENT: You’ll know in about two weeks. There was a very — a very interesting problem that they had in New Hampshire. And I can’t tell you about it. It was a very — but it had nothing to do with White House. There was a problem up there. And I won’t go into what the problem was, but you’ll see in about a week or two.

Q Mr. President, how do you deal with immigration going forward? What’s your next step with the crisis on the southern border?

THE PRESIDENT: The southern border is being policed very well by Mexico. Mexico is doing far more than the Democrats — we all know it — because of tariffs, but they’ve been great. They’ve put 6,000 people. They have many of them there now on the southern border — their southern border.

On our southern border, which is the main border that you think of, they’re going to have anywhere between 16,000 and 21,000 troops. It’s had a big effect. They’ve only been there for about a week, where they actually had the troops. But it’s had a tremendous effect, tremendous impact. And you’ll see the numbers starting to come in very well.

Guatemala is going to be signing a safe third agreement. We’re talking to Mexico. But Mexico is really doing a good job, I have to say. Very — very big (inaudible).

But here’s the thing: When people come in illegally, and then it’s crowded — and I’ve seen some of those places, and they are run beautifully. They’re clean. They’re good. They do a great job.

Q That’s not what your government said.

THE PRESIDENT: They do a great job. They’re crowded because the Democrats will not give us any relief from these loopholes. We have loopholes that are so bad. We have asylum that’s so bad.

So these places are — many of them; not all of them, but many of them — they’re incredible. They’re really well run.

I’ll tell you what, and I said it yesterday: Border Patrol did not train to be doctors and nurses and janitors. That’s not what they trained to be. They trained to be Border Patrol. And that’s what they’re doing, and they’re doing a phenomenal job.

Because of the country, because we’re doing so well as a country — we never — we’ve never done this well. Two days ago, we hit the highest stock market number we’ve ever had in the history of our country. Our country is doing great. Unemployment is very low. We just came out with 224,000 new jobs. The numbers are unbelievable. And that’s bringing people up like they’ve never come up. Border Patrol and ICE have done a great job.

Now, people are being removed from the country. We’re removing them. We’re starting with the MS-13. We’ve taken out thousands of MS-13 and gangs. But we’ve never had an onslaught — and the reason they came up is because — and they come up — is because the country is doing well. They want jobs.

Q Your own government has a report that says those facilities are overcrowded, they’re dirty, and it’s a widespread problem. So what do you mean they’re “run beautifully”?

THE PRESIDENT: I think they do great job with those facilities. But do you know how it should be taken care of? Number one: Tell them not to come because it’s illegal. Very unfair to people that have been waiting on line for seven or eight years, and they’re about to be admitted, and they’ve studied and they know the country and the history and everything, and then a person comes in — walks in — and, all of the sudden, they’ve become a citizen or they’re allowed to stay.

So thousands and thousands of people will be legally removed from the country, and that process has started. And we’ve actually been doing that for a long time.

Q Mr. President, are you confident there are no undocumented immigrants working at your Bedminster property or other Trump golf properties?

THE PRESIDENT: Well, that I don’t know because I don’t run it. But I would say this: Probably every club in the United States has that because it seems to be, from what I understand, a way that people did business.

But we’ve ended — whatever they did, we have a very strict rule that — those rules are very strict. But it seems that every club, practically, in the United States — that’s the way they did business.

Q Mr. President, should Border Patrol agents be punished for mocking detained migrants and members of Congress in that private Facebook page?

THE PRESIDENT: Well, I haven’t seen it. I will say this: I think that the Border Patrol has been treated very, very badly by certain members of Congress — very, very badly. For the most part, they’re very respected by Congress, but certain members of Congress say very bad things and lie and exaggerate. And Border Patrol people are tough people; they’re not happy about it.

Q Today, on the citizenship question, Mr. President — will you decide today on the citizenship question what route you’re going to take? The judge wants an answer today.

THE PRESIDENT: I just spoke with the Attorney General. We have a number of different avenues. We could use all of them or one. We’re doing very well on that issue. We’re spending 15 to 20 billion dollars on a census. We’re doing everything; we’re finding out everything about everybody. Think of it: 15 to 20 billion dollars, and you’re not allowed to ask them, “Are you a citizen?”

Q But will you decide today, sir?

THE PRESIDENT: And, by the way, if you look at the history of our country, it’s almost always been asked. So we’re looking — we’re fighting very hard against a system that’s a very difficult system. But we’ll make a decision. The Attorney General is working on that right now.

Q What’s the reason, Mr. President, for trying to get a citizenship question on the census?

THE PRESIDENT: Well, you need it for many reasons. Number one, you need it for —

Q (Inaudible) reason?

THE PRESIDENT: — Congress. You need it for Congress, for districting. You need it for appropriations. Where are the funds going? How many people are there? Are they citizens? Are they not citizens? You need it for many reasons.

Q Mr. President, what’s next for Ivanka Trump after the G20?

THE PRESIDENT: What?

Q What’s next for Ivanka Trump after the G20?

THE PRESIDENT: I thought Ivanka was amazing at the G20. And I’ll tell you, the foreign leaders loved her, and they just think she’s great. She’s very smart, and she’s done a great job. She sacrificed a lot. Ivanka and Jared work very hard, and they sacrificed a lot to be doing this, but they want to do it.

Ivanka has worked on almost 10 million jobs — training, and going to companies, and getting them to hire people.

But the people — the foreign leaders — really like her a lot.

Q Are you grooming her for office?

THE PRESIDENT: I’m not grooming her for office. No.

Q On the conditions at the border — as a parent, doesn’t that make you want to do something about it?

THE PRESIDENT: Well, as you know, President Obama had separation. President Obama, in 2014, built the cells that you always show on television. They were built — they were built by President Obama. But he had separation.

The one thing he didn’t have is a good economy, so he didn’t have the kind of onslaught that we’re having. We have a tremendous onslaught on people. Who can blame them? They want to get in; they want to take advantage of the economy.

But they have to come in — they have to come in legally and through merit. I think this: Border Patrol has done an incredible job and Mexico has been doing an incredible job.

Q Is Wilbur Ross’s job safe?

THE PRESIDENT: Yeah, it is. Wilbur is a good man. Look, a lot of people thought his answer was fine; I didn’t see the answer yet. They thought it was fine. It could be expanded, very simply. There are many reasons that you do it.

But, you know, we were surprised by that decision. Citizenship has been on that thing most of the time for many, many years. So it’s very shocking that, after spending $15 billion, it’s not on.

Q Biden says you’re trying to pull out of NATO.

THE PRESIDENT: No, no. Tell Biden that NATO has taken total advantage of him and President Obama. They took it — we were paying for almost all of NATO. We’re protecting countries. Those countries have to protect themselves with us. They have to make a contribution.

In my first year, I raised over $100 billion from those countries. Biden didn’t know what the hell he was doing and neither did President Obama. NATO was taking advantage of — now they’re paying. They still owe us a lot of money. Biden doesn’t know about that. He just thinks, stupidly, we do.

NATO is fine, but they have to pay their way. The United States is not going to get killed on trade with Europe. Europe kills us on trade, which we’re changing, and Europe then kills us because we defend Europe. And we lose a tremendous amount of money, but we lose on trade and the military.

President Obama and Vice President Biden, they didn’t have a clue. They got taken advantage of by China, by NATO, by every country they did business with.

Q Mr. President, are you watching the World Cup Final on Sunday?

THE PRESIDENT: I don’t know that I’ll be able.

Q Do you have a message for Team USA?

THE PRESIDENT: No, I’m — I hope they do well. I hope they win.

Q Mr. President, Obama never said that he wanted to meet with Kim Jong Un. Why did you say that? Why did you say he was begging for a meeting?

THE PRESIDENT: He called Kim Jong Un on numerous occasions to meet. President Obama wanted to meet with Kim Jong Un. And Kim Jong Un said no. Numerous occasions he called. And right now, we have a very nice relationship. We’ve done a lot. And we’ve gotten — we’ve gotten our hostages back. We’re getting the remains back. A lot of good things are happening. And there’s been no nuclear testing.

During President Obama, they were nuclear testing. They were sending missiles. Right now, everything is nice and quiet.

Thank you.

Transcript END 11:04 A.M.

A group of spectators and supporters were gathered near the South Lawn to watch President Trump depart the White House.  The visiting group included Representative Mark Meadows and likely some of his North Carolina constituents.

President Trump takes the time to visit with the group of normal Americans, and arm himself with support, prior to engagement with the assembled hyenas.

National Economic Council Director Larry Kudlow appears on Fox News to discuss the June jobs report, current Federal Reserve policy, the Trump administration’s trade negotiations with China and former Reagan Economist Art Laffer receiving the Medal of Freedom.

On the China front there’s a weird, seemingly disconnected, dynamic appearing at the surface level within China.  The position of Chairman Xi Jinping and Vice-Premier Liu He seems unusually separated from Beijing messaging (more on that later). Here’s Kudlow:

A recap of President Trump’s historic celebration of American independence July 4th, 2019, (w/ full speech transcript):

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[Transcript] – July 4, 2019 – THE PRESIDENT: Hello, America. Hello. The First Lady and I wish each and every one of you a Happy Independence Day on this truly historic Fourth of July! (Applause.)

Today, we come together as one nation with this very special Salute to America. We celebrate our history, our people, and the heroes who proudly defend our flag — the brave men and women of the United States Military. (Applause.)

We are pleased to have with us Vice President Mike Pence and his wonderful wife Karen. (Applause.) We are also joined by many hardworking members of Congress; Acting Secretary of Defense Mark Esper and many other members of my Cabinet; and also the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, General Joe Dunford. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. (Applause.)

Lieutenant General Daniel Hokanson of the National Guard and distinguished leaders representing each branch of the United States Armed Forces: the Army, Navy, Air Force, Coast Guard, Marines, and, very soon, the Space Force. (Applause.)

As we gather this evening in the joy of freedom, we remember that we all share a truly extraordinary heritage. Together, we are part of one of the greatest stories ever told: the story of America. It is the epic tale of a great nation whose people have risked everything for what they know is right and what they know is true. It is the chronicle of brave citizens who never give up on the dream of a better and brighter future. And it is the saga of thirteen separate colonies that united to form the most just and virtuous republic ever conceived. (Applause.)

On this day, 243 years ago, our Founding Fathers pledged their lives, their fortunes, and their sacred honor to declare independence and defend our God-given rights. (Applause.)

Thomas Jefferson wrote the words that forever changed the course of humanity: “We hold these truths to be self-evident: that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty, and the pursuit of Happiness.” (Applause.)

With a single sheet of parchment and 56 signatures, America began the greatest political journey in human history. But on that day, the patriots who would determine the ultimate success of the struggle were a hundred miles away in New York. There, the Continental Army prepared to make its stand, commanded by the beloved General George Washington. (Applause.)

As the delegates debated the Declaration in Philadelphia, Washington’s army watched from Manhattan as a massive British invading fleet loomed dangerously across New York harbor. The British had come to crush the revolution in its infancy. Washington’s message to his troops laid bare the stakes. He wrote: “The fate of unborn millions will now depend, under God, on the courage and conduct of this army…We have, therefore, to resolve to conquer or die.” (Applause.)

Days later, General Washington ordered the Declaration read aloud to the troops. The assembled soldiers just joined an excited crowd running down Broadway. They toppled a statue of King George and melted it into bullets for battle. The faraway King would soon learn a timeless lesson about the people of this majestic land: Americans love our freedom and no one will ever take it away from us. (Applause.)

AUDIENCE: USA! USA! USA!

THE PRESIDENT: That same American spirit that emboldened our founders has kept us strong throughout our history. To this day, that spirit runs through the veins of every American patriot. It lives on in each and every one of you here today. It is the spirit of daring and defiance, excellence and adventure, courage and confidence, loyalty and love that built this country into the most exceptional nation in the history of the world, and our nation is stronger today than it ever was before. (Applause.) It is its strongest now. (Applause.)

AUDIENCE: USA! USA! USA!

THE PRESIDENT: That same righteous American spirit forged our glorious Constitution.

That rugged American character led the legendary explorers, Lewis and Clark, on their perilous expedition across an untamed continent. It drove others to journey West and stake out their claim on the wild frontier.

Devotion to our founding ideals led American patriots to abolish the evil of slavery, secure civil rights, and expand the blessings of liberty to all Americans. (Applause.)

This is the noble purpose that inspired Abraham Lincoln to rededicate our nation to a new birth of freedom, and to resolve that we will always have a government of, by, and for the people. (Applause.)

Our quest for greatness unleashed a culture of discovery that led Thomas Edison to imagine his lightbulb, Alexander Graham Bell to create the telephone, the Wright Brothers to look to the sky and see the next great frontier. For Americans, nothing is impossible. (Applause.)

Exactly 50 years ago this month, the world watched in awe as Apollo 11 astronauts launched into space with a wake of fire and nerves of steel, and planted our great American flag on the face of the moon. Half a century later, we are thrilled to have here tonight the famed NASA Flight Director who led Mission Control during that historic endeavor: the renowned Gene Kranz. (Applause.)

Gene, I want you to know that we are going to be back on the moon very soon. And someday soon, we will plant the American flag on Mars. (Applause.) It’s happening, Gene. It’s happening.

Our nation’s creativity and genius lit up the lights of Broadway and the soundstages of Hollywood. It filled the concert halls and airwaves around the world with the sound of jazz, opera, country, rock and roll, and rhythm and blues. It gave birth to the musical, the motion picture, the Western, the World Series, the Super Bowl, the skyscraper, the suspension bridge, the assembly line, and the mighty American automobile. (Applause.)

It led our citizens to push the bounds of medicine and science to save the lives of millions.

Here with us this evening is Dr. [DEL: Emmanuel :DEL] [Emil] Freireich. When [DEL: Emmanuel :DEL] [Emil] began his work, 99 percent of children with leukemia died. Thanks largely to Dr. Freireich’s breakthrough treatments, currently 90 percent of those with the most common childhood leukemias survive. Doctor, you are a great American hero. Thank you. (Applause.)

Americans always take care of each other. That love and unity held together the first pilgrims, it forged communities on the Great Plains, it inspired Clara Barton to found the Red Cross, and it keeps our nation thriving today.

Here tonight from the Florida panhandle is Tina Belcher. Her selfless generosity over 3 decades has made her known to all as “Mrs. Angel.” Every time a hurricane strikes, Mrs. Angel turns her tiny kitchen into a disaster relief center. On a single day after Hurricane Michael, she gave 476 people a warm meal. Mrs. Angel, your boundless heart inspires us all. Thank you. Thank you. (Applause.) Thank you very much.

From our earliest days, Americans of faith have uplifted our nation. This evening, we are joined by Sister Deirdre Byrne. Sister Byrne is a retired Army surgeon who served for nearly 30 years. On September 11th, 2001, the sister raced to Ground Zero. Through smoke and debris, she administered first aid and comfort to all. Today, Sister Byrne runs a medical clinic serving the poor in our nation’s capital. Sister, thank you for your lifetime of service. Thank you. (Applause.)

Our nation has always honored the heroes who serve our communities: the firefighters, first responders, police, sheriffs, ICE, Border Patrol, and all of the brave men and women of law enforcement. (Applause.)

On this July 4th, we pay special tribute to the military service members who laid down their lives for our nation. We are deeply moved to be in the presence this evening of Gold Star families whose loved ones made the supreme sacrifice. Thank you. Thank you. (Applause.) Thank you very much.

Throughout our history, our country has been made ever greater by citizens who risked it all for equality and justice. 100 years ago this summer, the women’s suffrage movement led Congress to pass the constitutional amendment giving women the right to vote. (Applause.)

In 1960, a thirst for justice led African American students to sit down at the Woolworth lunch counter in Greensboro, North Carolina. (Applause.) It was one of the very first civil rights sit-ins and it started a movement all across our nation.

Clarence Henderson was 18-years-old when he took his place in history. Almost six decades later, he is here tonight in a seat of honor. Clarence, thank you for making this country a much better place for all Americans. (Applause.)

In 1963, Reverend Martin Luther King, Jr., stood here on these very steps and called on our nation to live out the “true meaning of its creed,” and “let freedom ring” for every citizen all across our land.

America’s fearless resolve has inspired heroes who defined our national character — from George Washington, John Adams, and Betsy Ross, to Douglass — you know, Fredrick Douglass — (applause) — the great Frederick Douglas, Harriet Tubman, Amelia Earhart, Douglas MacArthur, Dwight Eisenhower, Jackie Robinson, and, of course, John Glenn. (Applause.)

It has willed our warriors up mountains and across minefields. It has liberated continents, split the atom, and brought tyrants and empires to their knees.

Here with us this evening is Earl Morse. After retiring from the Air Force, Earl worked at a VA hospital in Ohio. Earl found that many World War Two veterans could not afford to visit their memorial on the National Mall. So Earl began the very first “Honor Flights,” that have now brought over 200,000 World War Two heroes to visit America’s monument. Earl, thank you. We salute you. Thank you. (Applause.) Thank you. Thank you, Earl. Thank you.

Our warriors form a hallowed roll call of American patriots, running all the way back to the first souls who fought and won American independence. Today, just as it did 243 years ago, the future of American freedom rests on the shoulders of men and women willing to defend it. We are proudly joined tonight by heroes from each branch of the U.S. Armed Forces, including three recipients of the Congressional Medal of Honor. Thank you. (Applause.) Thank you.

They, and thousands before us, served with immense distinction, and they loved every minute of that service. To young Americans across our country, now is your chance to join our military and make a truly great statement in life. And you should do it. (Applause.)

We will now begin our celebration of the United States Armed Forces, honoring each branch’s unique culture, rich history, service song, and distinct legacy. I invite Acting Secretary — please — Mark Esper, Secretary of Defense; and Chairman Dunford, Head of the Joint Chiefs of Staff — please join me. (Applause.)

In August of 1790, by request of George Washington and Alexander Hamilton, Congress established a fleet of ten swift vessels to defend our shores.

These Revenue Cutters would fight pirates, stop smugglers, and safeguard our borders. They are the ancestors of our faithful Coast Guard. (Applause.)

When our ships were seized and sailors kidnapped by foreign powers in 1812, it was a Revenue Cutter — the swift schooner Thomas Jefferson — that swept in to capture the first British vessel of the war.

In 1897, when 265 whalers were trapped in ice — and the ice fields of Alaska were closing up — courageous officers trekked fifteen hundred miles through the frozen frontier to rescue those starving men from a certain death.

In 1942, the Coast Guard manned landing craft for invasions in the Pacific. When the enemy attacked U.S. Marines from the shores of Guadalcanal, Coast Guard Signalman First Class Douglas Munro used his own boat to shield his comrades from pounding gunfire. Munro gave his life; hundreds of Marines were saved. As he lay dying on the deck, his final question embodied devotion that sails with every Coast Guardsman: “Did they get off?” (Applause.)

On D-Day, the Coast Guard’s famous Matchbox Fleet served valiantly through every hour of the greatest amphibious invasion in the history of our country. One coxswain said “the water boiled with bullets like a mud puddle in a hailstorm,” but still the Coast Guard braved death to put our boys on Utah and Omaha beaches.

Every Coast Guardsman is trusted to put service before all. Coasties plunge from helicopters, and barrel through pouring rain and crashing waves to save American lives. They secure our borders from drug runners and terrorists. In rough seas, at high speeds, their sharpshooters take out smugglers’ engines with a single shot. They never miss.

When the red racing stripes of a Coast Guard vessel break the horizon, when their chopper blades pierce the sky, those in distress know that the help is on their way, and our enemies know their time has come. (Applause.)

These guardians of our waters stand, Semper Paratus. (Applause.) They are always ready. They are the United States Coast Guard.

Representing the Coast Guard today, you will soon see an HH-60 Jayhawk helicopter based at Coast Guard Air Station Clearwater, along with an HH-65 Dolphin from Air Station Atlantic City, and an HC-144 Ocean Sentry from Air Station Miami.

(“Semper Paratus” is played with a flyover.)

Thank you. Thank you to the Coast Guard.

On a cold December morning in 1903, a miracle occurred over the dunes of Kitty Hawk, North Carolina, when two bicycle makers from Ohio defied gravity with a 12 horsepower engine, wings made of cotton, and just a few dollars in their pockets. Just six years later, America was training its first pilots to take these magnificent machines up and over the field of battle.

In World War One, our flyboys rushed the skies of Europe, and aces like Eddie Rickenbacker filled hearts and headlines with tales of daring duels in the clouds.

General Billy Mitchell saw the promise of this technology, and risked court martial in his quest for an independent air force. He was proven right when empires across the oceans tried to carve up the world for themselves, and America stood in the way. We wouldn’t let it happen. (Applause.)

After Pearl Harbor, Lieutenant Colonel James Doolittle and his raiders flew B-25 bombers off a carrier deck in the deep Pacific in a daring feat of American resolve.

And, as President Roosevelt said, the Nazis built a fortress around Europe, “but [they] forgot to put a roof on it.” (Applause.)

So we crushed them all from the air. One hundred and seventy-seven Liberator Bombers flew dangerously low, through broad daylight without fighter protection, to cripple the Nazi war machine at Ploiești. More than 300 airmen gave their lives to destroy the enemy oil refineries. And five pilots were awarded the Congressional Medal of Honor for their actions in that single raid. (Applause.)

It was airman Chuck Yeager who first broke the sound barrier. It was airmen like Gus Grissom and Buzz Aldrin, who traded their Sabre jets for rockets to the stars. And it is our incredible airmen today who wield the most powerful weapons systems on the planet Earth.

For over 65 years, no enemy air force has managed to kill a single American soldier because the skies belong to the United States of America. (Applause.)

No enemy has attacked our people without being met by a roar of thunder, and the awesome might of those who bid farewell to Earth, and soar into the wild blue yonder. They are the United States Air Force.

Representing the Air Force you will soon see beautiful, brand new F-22 Raptors from Langley Air Force Base in Virginia — (applause) — and one magnificent B-2 Stealth Bomber from Whiteman Air Force Base in Missouri. (Applause.)

(“The U.S. Air Force” is played with a flyover.)

What a great country.

In October of 1775, the Continental Congress ordered the construction of two swift-sailing vessels, each carrying 10 cannons and 80 men, to sail eastward.

Our young fleet tested their sea legs against the most powerful navy the world had ever seen.

John Paul Jones, America’s first great naval hero, said: “I wish to have no connection with any ship that does not sail fast; for I intend to go in harm’s way.” He got his wish many times when his ship was shot into pieces off the coast of England by a British vessel and her four dozen guns. When demanded to surrender, Jones very famously declared “I have not yet begun to fight!” (Applause.) When our Navy begins fighting, they finish the job.

The War of 1812: Captain James Lawrence fell with his brothers on USS Chesapeake. His dying command gained immortality, “Don’t give up the ship.” (Applause.)

In the Battle of Mobile Bay, Admiral David Farragut lashed himself to the rigging of his flagship to see beyond the cannon smoke, crying, “Damn the torpedoes, full speed ahead.” (Applause.)

In World War Two, it was aviators launched from the carrier Enterprise, Hornet, and Yorktown who filled the skies of Midway and turned the tide of the Pacific War. Nobody could beat us. Nobody could come close.

On D-Day, Seabee engineers came ashore to destroy blockades and barriers, making way for the invasion. Many lost their lives, but they took the German defenses with them, and our men crushed upon the beaches like a mighty storm.

From the Naval demolition units of World War Two arose a force that became famous in the Mekong Delta. They don’t want to see our force again. The very best of the very best: the Navy SEALs. (Applause.)

It was the SEALs who delivered vengeance on the terrorist who planned the September 11th attack on our homeland. It was the SEALs who stand ready to bring righteous retribution — in mountain, jungle, desert — to those who do us harm.

America’s sailors are not born. They are forged by the sea. Their traditions are rich with the salt and blood of three centuries.

When Old Glory crests the waves of foreign shores, every friend and every foe knows that justice sails those waters. It sails with the United States Navy. (Applause.)

Representing our great Navy today will be two F-18 Super Hornets from Naval Air Station Oceana in Virginia, along with two F-35 Lightning’s from Naval Air Station Lemoore in California.

(“”Anchors Aweigh” is played with a flyover.)

So great.

In November of 1775, the Continental Congress created two battalions of a new kind of warrior — one who kept and would protect our ships and sailors, and be at home both ashore and in the mast, with musket in hand.

Their versatility was proven in the War of Independence, when 234 Continental Marines conducted their first amphibious raid, capturing the British supply of gunpowder and cannons at Fort Nassau.

Ever since, Marines have fought in every American war. Their legend has grown and grown and grown with each passing year. It was the Marines who won America’s first overseas battle, vanquishing Barbary pirates on the shores of Tripoli.

Their high, stiff collar, which shielded them from the pirates’ sword, earned them the immortal name: Leatherneck. (Applause.)

It was the Marines who, after two long days of battle, marched through the Halls of Montezuma. It was the Marines who took heavy casualties to kick the Kaiser’s troops out of Belleau Wood in World War One, earning the title “Devil Dogs.” (Applause.) And it was the Marines who raised the flag on the black sands of Iwo Jima. (Applause.)

From the Chosin Reservoir to Khe Sanh, from Helmand to Baghdad, Marines have struck fear into the hearts of our enemies and put solace into the hearts of our friends. Marines always lead the way.

After the 1983 Marine barracks bombing in Beirut, which claimed the lives of 241 great U.S. servicemen, Marine Sergeant Jeffrey Nashton lay in bandages — so badly wounded, barely alive.

When the Commandant of the Marine Corps came to visit his hospital, Sergeant Nashton had to feel the General’s collar; he wanted to feel his four stars. He could not see and he could not speak. He signaled for pen and paper, and with shaking hand he wrote two words: Semper Fi. (Applause.)

That motto, Semper Fidelis — “Always Faithful” — burns in the soul of every Marine, a sacred promise the Corps has kept since the birth of our country. They are the elite masters of air and land and sea, on battlefields across the globe. They are the United States Marines. (Applause.)

Representing the Marine Corps today will be a brand new VH-92, soon to serve as Marine One — (applause) — along with two V-22 Ospreys from the famed HMX-1 helicopter squadron at Quantico, the “Nighthawks.”

(“Marines’ Hymn” is played with a flyover.)

In June of 1775, the Continental Congress created a unified army out of the revolutionary forces encamped around Boston and New York, and named after the great George Washington, Commander-in-Chief.

The Continental Army suffered the bitter winter of Valley Forge, found glory across the waters of the Delaware, and seized victory from Cornwallis of Yorktown.

Our Army manned the (inaudible) — it manned the ramparts. It took over the airports. It did everything it had to do. And at Fort McHenry, under the rockets’ red glare, it had nothing but victory. And when dawn came, their Star Spangled Banner waved defiant. (Applause.)

At Shiloh, Antietam, and Gettysburg, our soldiers gave the last full measure of devotion for the true unity of our nation and the freedom of all Americans. (Applause.)

In the trenches of World War One, an Army Sergeant named Alvin York faced an inferno of enemy fire and refused to retreat. He said, “I won’t leave. I won’t stop.” He shot his rifle 18 times, killing 18 of the enemy. When they fixed bayonets and charged, he killed seven more. The entire German machine gun battalion surrendered because of one man, Alvin York.

A generation later, the Army returned to Europe, and embarked upon a great crusade. With knives and rifles in hand, the Rangers scaled the cliffs of Normandy. The 101st Airborne leapt into the danger from above, illuminated only by enemy flares, explosions, and burning aircraft. They threw back the Nazi empire with lightning of their own, from the turrets of Sherman tanks and the barrels of the M1 rifle.

In the darkness of the Battle of the Bulge, with Nazis on every side, one soldier is reported to have said: “They’ve got us surrounded again, the poor bastards.” (Laughter and applause.)

Outnumbered, American warriors fought through the bunkers of Pork Chop Hill and held the line of civilization in Korea.

In the elephant grass of Vietnam, the First Cavalry made its stand amid a forest consumed in flame, with enemies at every single turn.

The Army brought America’s righteous fury down to Al Qaeda in Afghanistan and cleared the bloodthirsty killers from their caves.

They liberated Fallujah and Mosul, and helped liberate and obliterate the ISIS caliphate, just recently, in Syria. One hundred percent gone. (Applause.)

Through the centuries, our soldiers have always pointed towards home, proclaiming, “This We’ll Defend.”

They live by the creed of Douglas MacArthur: “In war, there is no substitute for victory.” They are the greatest soldiers on Earth. (Applause.)

(“The Army Goes Rolling Along” is played with a flyover.)

Nearly 250 years ago, a volunteer army of farmers and shopkeepers, blacksmiths, merchants, and militiamen risked life and limb to secure American liberty and self-government.

This evening, we have witnessed the noble might of the warriors who continue that legacy. They guard our birthright with vigilance and fierce devotion to the flag and to our great country.

Now we must go forward as a nation with that same unity of purpose. As long as we stay true to our cause, as long as we remember our great history, as long as we never ever stop fighting for a better future, then there will be nothing that America cannot do. (Applause.)

AUDIENCE: USA! USA! USA!

THE PRESIDENT: Thank you.

We will always be the people who defeated a tyrant, crossed a continent, harnessed science, took to the skies, and soared into the heavens because we will never forget that we are Americans and the future belongs to us. (Applause.)

The future belongs to the brave, the strong, the proud, and the free. We are one people, chasing one dream, and one magnificent destiny. We all share the same heroes, the same home, the same heart, and we are all made by the same Almighty God. (Applause.)

And from the banks of the Chesapeake to the cliffs of California, from the humming shores of the Great Lakes to the sand dunes of the Carolinas, from the fields of the Heartland to the everglades of Florida, the spirit of American independence will never fade, never fail, but will reign forever and ever and ever. (Applause.)

So once more, to every citizen throughout our land: Have a glorious Independence Day. Have a great Fourth of July.

I want to thank the Army Band, the National Park Service, the Interior Department, the incredible pilots overhead, and those who are making possible the amazing fireworks display later this evening.

Now, as the band plays “The Battle Hymn of the Republic,” I invite the First Lady, Vice President and Mrs. Pence, the Service Secretaries and military leaders to join me onstage for one more salute to America by the famous, incredible, talented Blue Angels. (Applause.)

God bless you. God bless the military. And God bless America. Happy Fourth of July.

(“The Battle Hymn of the Republic” is played with a flyover.)

END 7:32 P.M. EDT