Oct 5, 2025 - Politics & Policy

Trump takes aim at Democrats as he marks Navy's 250th anniversary

Rebecca Falconer

President Trump, standing in front of white-uniformed sailors, many of whom are holding phones and cameras, points at a celebration for the U.S. Navy's 250th anniversary at Naval Station Norfolk in Norfolk, Virginia, on Sunday. Photo: Kyle Mazza/Anadolu via Getty Images — President Trump at a celebration for the U.S. Navy's 250th anniversary at Naval Station Norfolk in Norfolk, Virginia, on Sunday. Photo: Kyle Mazza/Anadolu via Getty Images

President Trump pledged raises for U.S. services members as he blamed Democrats for the government shutdown during a 250th anniversary celebration of the Navy on Sunday at Norfolk naval base in Virginia.

The big picture: "Despite the Democrat-induced shutdown, we will get our service members every last penny," Trump said at the event of the standoff that Democrats blame the president for. "It's all coming, and even more because I'm supporting the across-the-board pay raises for every sailor and service member in the United States armed forces."

Trump observes a demonstration from the deck of the USS George H.W. Bush aircraft carrier, off the eastern coast of the U.S. that involves a missile being launched off a warship — Trump observes a demonstration from the deck of the USS George H.W. Bush aircraft carrier. The Trump administration and Republicans have pushed to lay responsibility for the shutdown on Democrats, who accuse the president of not wanting to negotiate on his planned Medicaid cuts in his "big, beautiful bill" that could affect millions of people. Photo: Alex Wong/Getty Images

First Lady Melania Trump, wearing a white USA cap, and the president, wearing a red USA cap speak with people aboard the USS George H.W. Bush aircraft carrier in front of a small plane on October 5, 2025 off the eastern coast of the United States. — First lady Melania Trump and the president speak with people aboard the USS George H.W. Bush aircraft carrier during their visit at which Trump said a UFC match at the White House that's part of "America250" celebrations would be held on June 14, which coincides with his 80th birthday. Photo: Alex Wong/Getty Images

President Trump, wearing a red cap and green jacket, and First Lady Melania Trump, wearing a white cap and black jacket, observe naval flight demonstrations on the deck of the USS George H.W. Bush aircraft carrier on October 5, 2025 off the eastern coast of the United States. — The Trumps observe naval flight demonstrations on the deck of the USS George H.W. Bush aircraft carrier. The first lady greeted some 10,000 sailors with a "hooyah!" when she took the stage at the event. Photo: Alex Wong/Getty Images

President Trump, wearing a red cap and navy suit, makes remarks into a mic while surrounded by sailors during the Navy 250 Celebration aboard the USS Harry S. Truman aircraft carrier on October 5, 2025 in Norfolk, Virginia. President Trump is visiting Naval Station Norfolk in Virginia. — Trump makes remarks during the Navy's 250th anniversary celebration aboard the USS Harry S. Truman aircraft carrier, which sometimes felt like a rally. The president said during his speech that ended with a blast of the "YMCA" song that's become his anthem: "Let's face it, this is a rally." Photo: Alex Wong/Getty Images

President Donald Trump and First Lady Melania Trump observe naval flight demonstrations on the deck of the USS George H.W. Bush aircraft carrier on October 5, 2025 off the eastern coast of the United States. — The first couple during the celebrations that included a live-fire show. Trump said at the event U.S. forces had struck another vessel carrying drugs off Venezuela's coast and "the Navy has supported our mission to blow the cartel terrorists the hell out of the water," adding: "There are no boats in the water anymore." It wasn't immediately clear if he was referencing Friday's strike or a new one. Photo: Alex Wong/Getty Images

War Secretary Pete Hegseth, wearing a khaki cap and jacket and blue pants, points in front of sailors in white uniform during a celebration for the United States Navy's 250th anniversary at Naval Station Norfolk in Norfolk, Virginia — Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth was also at the celebration for the United States Navy's 250th anniversary. Photo: Kyle Mazza/Anadolu via Getty Images

More from Axios:

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Trump takes aim at Democrats as he marks Navy's 250th anniversary

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