Trump hails US strength, warns against communism in Independence Day speech

Hind Al Soulia - Riyadh - WASHINGTON — U.S. President Donald Trump praised America's military strength and national identity while warning against what he described as the threat of communism during his Independence Day address at the America 250 celebration late Saturday.

Speaking at the Salute to America event marking the 250th anniversary of U.S. independence, Trump described the United States as "the home of freedom" and "the land of liberty."

"This is a flag that's the banner of the most extraordinary, most exceptional, most incredible nation ever to exist on the face of the earth," he said.

Trump repeatedly portrayed communism as fundamentally incompatible with American values.

"All these talks from the communists, they haven't got a chance," he said.

"We don't want communists in our country. Never worked, and it never will work," he added, arguing that communism stands in direct opposition to American freedoms and constitutional rights.

Calling communism "like a cancer," Trump said: "You got to cut it out fast."

"Americans must never forget that we are a historic and heroic people with a heroic spirit and a heroic purpose on this beautiful earth of ours," he said.

"Unlike so many others in the world, in this country we have freedom of speech, freedom of religion, equal justice under the law ... and the right to keep and bear arms."

Trump also highlighted his record on gun rights, saying he had strongly defended the Second Amendment during his presidency.

"For almost six years that I was president, I guarded very, very powerfully your Second Amendment," he said. "They didn't do a thing to it."

Although Trump did not identify any individual as a communist, his remarks appeared to allude to several democratic socialist candidates who recently won Democratic primary elections ahead of November's midterm elections.

The president also highlighted what he described as a sharp turnaround in military recruitment.

"To get into our military now is tough," he said. "Two years ago, we couldn't fill a job, and now it's overflowing."

Trump pointed to recent U.S. actions abroad, particularly involving Iran and Venezuela, as examples of renewed American strength.

"You look at Venezuela, you look at Iran, we wiped it out, wiped out their military," he said.

He also cited the construction of the Panama Canal as a symbol of American achievement and sacrifice, calling it "one of the greatest engineering feats of all time" and stating that 38,000 Americans died during its construction.

Throughout the address, Trump linked patriotism, military strength and economic recovery, arguing that the country was entering a new era of prosperity.

"The American dream is back, very strong, beautiful," he said. "Today our country is winning again, and we're winning like never before."

Trump's speech was followed by a fireworks display and a concert.

The address began more than an hour behind schedule after severe weather disrupted earlier Independence Day celebrations in Washington. High temperatures led to the postponement of some daytime events, while strong winds and heavy rain forced many attendees to seek shelter shortly before the ceremony.