President Donald Trump used Thursday's National Prayer Breakfast in Washington to mount a public defense of three officials in his administration and to underscore American military power, delivering remarks that frequently diverged from his prepared text.
Speaking to a room of religious leaders and lawmakers, Trump repeatedly returned to themes of law and order and U.S. strength abroad, delivering a speech that at times resembled his campaign-style rallies. He warned Hamas fighters in Gaza to disarm or face consequences, and he highlighted the role of U.S. forces overseas.
Trump also promoted the first lady Melania Trump’s new documentary and praised El Salvador President Nayib Bukele, noting Bukele’s advocacy for a large prison known as CEGOT. He said the United States has sent hundreds of mostly Venezuelan migrants to El Salvador in connection with the facility.
The president offered several personal asides in a speech that touched on religion. Quoting the Bible verse "blessed are the pure in heart," he questioned whether it applied to him, saying, "I’m not sure that applies to me necessarily. Does that apply to me? I try." He also reflected on his prospects for entry into heaven, observing "I really think I probably should make it" while conceding he was "not a perfect candidate."
Trump rejected calls for the firing of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem following the fatal shootings of two Americans, Renee Good and Alex Pretti, who were protesting what Trump characterized as his tough migrant deportation policies in Minnesota. He asked, "Why would I do that?" and defended Noem’s record on southern border enforcement and crime-fighting.
The backlash from the Minneapolis killings led Trump to assign White House border czar Tom Homan to oversee operations in Minnesota in place of Noem. Trump told NBC News on Wednesday that a "softer touch" was needed in that state.
Trump also defended his director of national intelligence, Tulsi Gabbard, after she was present during an FBI execution of a search warrant at an election facility in Atlanta, Georgia. The appearance was part of Trump’s ongoing effort to cast doubt on the 2020 presidential election that he lost to Joe Biden. The article notes that claims of voting fraud in the 2020 election have been rejected by courts, state governments and members of Trump’s former administration.
According to a letter Gabbard sent to lawmakers dated Monday, she observed FBI personnel executing the warrant in Fulton County and was present there for a "brief period of time." Trump said, "She’s doing a great job," and suggested a potential Russian role in election tampering. He added that Attorney General Pam Bondi had sent Gabbard to Atlanta, saying, "Pam wanted her to do it."
On foreign policy, Trump said he was pleased with developments in Venezuela after U.S. military forces abducted and arrested President Nicolas Maduro in Caracas last month and seized control of that country’s oil. He said he is now working with acting president Delcy Rodriguez and that he is "getting along fantastically" with Venezuela.
Trump also highlighted the size and appearance of U.S. forces, saying, "We have a military where they all look like Tom Cruise, only bigger." The speech noted that a large military force has been assembled in the Middle East and that it could be used against Iran.
Throughout the breakfast address, Trump veered from the teleprompter and shifted between policy topics, personal remarks and endorsements of members of his team. His public defense of Noem, Gabbard and Bondi came amid scrutiny of their recent actions and drew attention to the administration’s posture on immigration enforcement, claims about the 2020 election and U.S. involvement in Venezuela.