Staff Reports
President Trump returned to Fort Bragg on Friday, February 13, 2026, to stand shoulder-to-shoulder with the men and women who defend our nation, meeting with military families and Special Forces whose bravery he praised as nothing short of heroic. The visit was an unmistakable display of support for readiness and American strength at a base long central to our national defense.
In remarks to assembled troops, the president highlighted last month’s daring operation that removed Nicolás Maduro, saying the raid showed “the full military might” of the United States and reminded potential adversaries that America will be feared if necessary. He made clear his priority: a military that is best led, best trained, best equipped, and most disciplined — the kind of force that deters war rather than invites it.
Mr. Trump didn’t shy from boasting about results; he pointed to a dramatic recruiting turnaround across the services, noting that the Navy, Air Force and Space Force hit goals ahead of schedule and that the Army has outpaced expectations — statistics he used to argue demand for service has surged. Conservatives should be proud when bold leadership, merit-based standards, and restored standards attract patriots back to uniform, exactly what the country needs in stormy times.
He also used the platform to announce concrete support for troops at home — a historic pay increase for service members and more than a billion dollars directed at fixing base housing as part of what he calls the One Big Beautiful Bill. Investing in those who wear the uniform is not charity; it is commonsense stewardship of national security and an overdue act of respect for families who sacrifice every day.
Of course, the left-leaning press and some fact-checkers scrambled to nitpick the timing of recruitment gains, pointing out that enlistment improvements had begun earlier in parts of the previous year. That predictable partisan pushback won’t change the simple fact Americans see a restored military ready to fight and win, and they are responding by choosing service — and that should make every patriot breathe easier.
The real lesson from Fort Bragg is straightforward: when America stops apologizing, backs its troops with funding and standards, and tells the truth about readiness, young men and women answer the call. Voters who love this country must remember which party stood with the armed forces and kept the promise to rebuild American strength — we cannot afford to let that progress be reversed.
