Trump Honors US Navy at 250th Anniversary Event in Norfolk

President Donald Trump celebrated the U.S. Navy's 250th anniversary with a large event at Naval Station Norfolk, energizing a crowd of about 10,000 sailors with his speech and trademark 'YMCA' dance moves. Amidst a government shutdown that has furloughed thousands of federal employees and delayed projects in Democratic areas, Trump assured that military personnel would receive full pay despite the stalemate. He criticized Democrats for causing the shutdown and defended spending priorities while speaking to the assembled sailors and military officials, highlighting the Navy's significance and proposing the use of U.S. cities as training grounds. The event featured military demonstrations, a Navy fighter jet named in Trump's honor, and patriotic displays such as chants of “USA! USA! USA!” from the crowd. Trump and First Lady Melania Trump also visited the USS George HW Bush during the celebration, meeting with sailors and distributing challenge coins. This show of support for the military occurred as Trump vowed to expand the Navy fleet and promised the largest military pay raise ever.