At Fort Bragg, Trump Declares US ‘Feared’ After Maduro Raid/ Newslooks/ WASHINGTON/ J. Mansour/ Morning Edition/ President Donald Trump praised U.S. special forces at Fort Bragg for the raid that removed Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro. Trump said the operation demonstrated the “full military might” of the United States and ensured global adversaries “fear” America. The visit mixed military recognition with political messaging ahead of the midterm elections.
Trump Fort Bragg Speech on Maduro Raid Quick Looks
- Trump addressed troops and families at Fort Bragg.
- Praised special forces who removed Nicolás Maduro.
- Said operation proved U.S. military strength globally.
- Promised Medal of Honor for one participant.
- Suggested U.S. adversaries now “fear” America.
- Also discussed inflation, military funding and oil policy.
Deep Look: At Fort Bragg, Trump Declares US ‘Feared’ After Maduro Raid
President Donald Trump used a visit to Fort Bragg on Friday to celebrate U.S. special operations forces involved in last month’s dramatic raid that removed Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro from power, declaring that the operation demonstrated the unmatched strength of the American military.
Standing before soldiers and their families at one of the world’s largest military installations, Trump praised the troops as heroes and said the mission showed adversaries around the globe what the United States is capable of.
“That night, the entire world saw what the full military might of the U.S. military is capable of,” Trump said, describing the operation as “so precise, so incredible.”
He added that the display of force ensured “we are feared by the enemies all over the globe.”
“I don’t like to say fear,” Trump said. “But sometimes you have to have fear because that’s the only thing that really will get the situation taken care of.”
A High-Profile Military Operation
The Jan. 3 raid resulted in Maduro being taken into custody and transported by helicopter to face U.S. drug-smuggling charges. Trump described the mission as unfolding in a matter of minutes and credited elite forces for executing it with precision.
He called those involved “some of our greatest soldiers to ever live,” while dismissing Maduro as an “outlaw dictator.”
Trump also said he intends to award a Medal of Honor to one participant in the operation, though he did not provide further details.
The president and first lady Melania Trump met privately with military families during the visit. Afterward, Trump said he encountered “a lot of heroes” and described the troops and their families as “great patriots.”
Political Undertones
Although billed as a celebration of the armed forces, the event often resembled a campaign rally. Trump invited Michael Whatley, a former Republican National Committee chair and current Senate candidate in North Carolina, to the stage. Whatley thanked Trump for his endorsement and suggested he was running to represent North Carolina voters with the president’s backing, even though the election is months away.
Trump has increased his travel to politically competitive states as the midterm elections approach, using public appearances to highlight national security, economic policy and Republican candidates.
Broader Security Messaging
In his remarks, Trump vowed to maintain what he described as the world’s most elite fighting force.
“As long as I’m president, we will be the best led, the best trained, the best equipped, the most disciplined and the most elite fighting force the world has ever seen,” he said.
He also confirmed plans to deploy a second U.S. aircraft carrier group to the Middle East amid heightened tensions with Iran, underscoring what he portrayed as a renewed global posture of strength.
“Everybody knows what they would be up against,” Trump said of potential adversaries. “Hopefully, we’ll never have to test them.”
Economic Notes and Oil Policy
While national security dominated the speech, Trump briefly addressed economic developments before departing Washington. He pointed to new data showing inflation had fallen to its lowest level in nearly five years, describing the numbers as unsurprising to him.
“We have very modest inflation, which is what you want to have,” he said.
Trump also referenced a White House-backed tax and spending package that increases funding for military housing.
On foreign policy, the president praised acting Venezuelan President Delcy Rodríguez, who replaced Maduro. Rather than pressing for immediate elections, Trump said his administration is working with American oil companies to help rebuild Venezuela’s energy sector.
“The relationship is strong, the oil is coming out,” Trump told reporters before traveling to North Carolina. “We have our big oil companies going in — they’re going to be pumping out the oil and selling the oil for a lot of money.”
U.S. officials have also seized oil tankers as part of broader oversight of Venezuela’s petroleum industry.
A Return to Fort Bragg
Trump previously visited Fort Bragg in June during the Army’s 250th anniversary celebration, an event that drew attention for his partisan remarks. This time, the focus centered more squarely on military strength and the Venezuela operation, though political themes were still woven throughout.
As the midterms draw nearer, Trump appears intent on framing his administration’s foreign policy as a demonstration of decisive action and global deterrence.
For the troops gathered at Fort Bragg, the message was clear: the commander in chief stands firmly behind them.
“Your commander in chief supports you totally,” Trump said, urging them, “When needed, you’re going to fight, fight, fight. You’re going to win, win, win.”
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