Trump Tells U.S. Coast Guard Graduates In New London They Will Be Tested Further

President Donald Trump told newly commissioned U.S. Coast Guard officers in New London, Conn. on Wednesday that they would play a key role in defending the homeland and advancing what he called America’s “national resurgence.”

The Associated Press reported Trump told the class of 2026 that they show “unbelievable heroism and exceptional selflessness” but that the cadets will “be tested further” as they embark on their military careers.

PBS

Trump said, “You've all been tested. You'll be tested further and probably at higher levels as your career goes on,” during the commencement address.

In the same remarks, Trump touched on the war with Iran, now in its 12th week, and said, “The only question is, do we go ahead and finish it up or are they going to be signing a document? Let’s see what happens,” as he spoke at the Coast Guard Academy in New London, Connecticut on May 20, 2026.

The Associated Press also said the commencement was held on a day with scorching heat and there was little shade available as the crowd waited for the ceremony to begin, with at least one person requiring medical attention after passing out.

Trump told reporters he was “in no hurry” to strike a deal to wrap up the war because of political concerns and the November midterm elections, while also saying on Monday he was giving Iran a few more days because “serious negotiations” were underway.

The Associated Press said Trump had threatened to launch renewed strikes on Iran this week as talks with Tehran seemed to have stalled and a fragile ceasefire appeared to be teetering.

San Bernardino Sun

In the Washington Post’s account of the same commencement, Trump framed the moment as one of intensifying global instability and said the officers would advance America’s “national resurgence.”

The Associated Press described how chilled water bottles were distributed freely but quickly became warm, and others pleaded with organizers for elderly attendants to sit in the shade under tents.

Before he flew to Connecticut, Trump told reporters that his message to the cadets would be, “Just enjoy your life,” and he said, “You know, you don't really realize how important Coast Guard is until you have a hurricane,” as he praised the maritime service.

Beyond the Coast Guard ceremony, The Hill reported that U.S. tensions with Cuba escalated as President Trump threatened to invade the island and as the U.S. aircraft carrier USS Nimitz arrived in the Caribbean this week.

“byEllen Mitchell05/20/26 06:49 PM ET A man talks on phone next to images of Raul and Fidel Castro adorning a wall of a building that houses an art installation on the Cuban Revolution, in Havana, Cuba, Wednesday, May 20, 2026”

The Hill

The Hill said the arrival of the strike group came as the Department of Justice on Wednesday charged former Cuban President Raúl Castro with murder, with the charge stemming from the 1996 downing of two civilian planes over international waters, killing four people.

Sen. Rick Scott (R-Fla.) told reporters, “We shouldn't take anything off the table. Same thing that happened to Maduro should happen to Raul Castro,” while Rep. Maria Elvira Salazar (R-Fla.) said, “I think that’s exactly what should happen.”

The Hill also said Secretary of State Marco Rubio put out a rare message in Spanish to the Cuban people to mark the occasion, backing the U.S. blockade of fuel to the island while blaming consistent power outages on the current communist regime.

The Hill further reported CIA Director John Ratcliffe met with Cuban officials on the island last week to emphasize that the timeframe for talks will not be open indefinitely, as Trump insisted to reporters there would not be a U.S. escalation against Cuba as “the place is falling apart,” but said the country is “on our mind.”