Vance to Naval Academy Grads: Brace for a Dangerous Era with Trump’s Realist Vision

Vice President JD Vance addressed the United States Naval Academy graduates in Annapolis, emphasizing the dawn of a new and perilous era for America. He highlighted that adversaries like China and Russia are relentlessly challenging U.S. dominance across air, sea, space, and cyberspace. Vance underscored the Trump administration’s shift toward a realist foreign policy, moving away from undefined missions and open-ended conflicts. "We send you to war with clear goals in mind," he told the graduates, stressing discipline and focus on core national interests.

The vice president critiqued past U.S. policies that prioritized nation-building over strengthening alliances and domestic capabilities. He noted that post-Cold War complacency led to a decline in manufacturing critical assets, from cars to warships, under the flawed assumption that economic integration would pacify competitors like China. "We were told the world would converge toward bland, universal ideals," Vance remarked, pointing out the costly missteps of trying to force democracy in regions like the Middle East.

Vance urged the graduates to lead with ingenuity, assuring them that the Trump administration is investing in innovation and streamlining defense acquisitions to equip them properly. "We can’t assume our engagements will be cost-free," he said, emphasizing the need for smarter strategies and robust tools to confront rising global threats.