This archive report was first published on 14 June 2020.
On June 13, 2020, US President Donald Trump addressed the graduating class of the West Point military academy, a moment marked by tension in civil-military relations.
Trump's speech, delivered under a bright sun on the parade ground, was notable for its praise of the 'righteous glory of the American warrior' but its lack of direct mention of recent racial turmoil.
He referred only passingly to the nation's racial challenges, citing the army's role in ending segregation and slavery, but did not mention the ongoing controversy over Confederate names on US military bases.
Trump's address came amidst a backdrop of tensions between him and the military, sparked by his threat to call out active duty troops to put down protests and the subsequent public denunciation of such use by Defence Secretary Mark Esper.
General Mark Milley, chairman of the Joint Chiefs, had also expressed regret over his presence at Trump's side during a June 1 incident in which National Guard troops fired smoke bombs and pepper balls to clear peaceful protestors from outside the White House.
Trump's speech was also notable for its lack of direct mention of the recent dissent from top military figures over his threat to employ active duty troops to put down protests.
Despite the tensions, Trump maintained that he has 'good relationships with the military,' a claim that has been disputed by his actions and decisions, including his controversial override of top Pentagon generals in 2019 to protect a Navy Seal accused of war crimes.
