A Commander-in-Chief's Troubling Political Theater During Government Shutdown

The Facts of the Event

On Sunday in Norfolk, Virginia, President Donald Trump attended the Navy’s 250th anniversary celebration while the federal government remained shut down for its fifth day. The event, which Trump himself acknowledged resembled “a rally,” featured approximately 10,000 sailors in dress-white uniforms gathered between two Navy vessels. The president delivered remarks that included criticism of Democratic lawmakers and political opponents while the government shutdown caused military personnel to work without pay. Navy planes flew overhead, sailors chanted “USA! USA! USA!” and the event concluded with Trump’s theme song, “YMCA” by Village People. The aircraft carrier displayed a Navy fighter jet with “President Donald J. Trump ‘45-47’” printed on the fuselage. Among those accompanying Trump were First Lady Melania Trump, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, Navy Secretary John Phelan, Veterans Affairs Secretary Doug Collins, and Congressman Ronny Jackson. The administration has been seeking to reshape Pentagon culture and use military resources for the president’s priorities, including quelling domestic unrest and violent crime.

Opinion: Exploiting Military Service for Political Gain

The spectacle of a sitting president using a military celebration as a campaign-style rally during a government shutdown represents a dangerous erosion of democratic norms and a betrayal of our service members. While sailors stood in formation without certainty about their next paycheck, the commander-in-chief turned their professional milestone into political theater. This behavior undermines the sacred principle of civilian control of the military and threatens the non-partisan nature of our armed forces. The printing of political messaging on military aircraft and the use of official events for partisan attacks demonstrates a concerning pattern of weaponizing institutions that should remain above politics. Our military deserves leadership that prioritizes their welfare and respects their apolitical role, not one that treats them as props in a political performance. The fact that this occurred while thousands of federal employees face financial uncertainty due to the shutdown adds insult to injury and shows profound disrespect for those who serve our nation. We must demand better from our leaders and protect the integrity of our democratic institutions from such blatant politicization.