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The White House • June 6, 2019 In Normandy, President Trump honors veterans 75 years after D-Day On June 6, 1944, a coalition of 160,000 American soldiers and other Allied forces stormed the beaches of Normandy, France—a moment that foretold the end of Nazi occupation in Europe and forever changed the course of history. President Donald J. Trump spoke just yards from Omaha Beach at Normandy American Cemetery and Memorial this morning, paying tribute to the sacrifice these heroes made. “We are gathered here on Freedom’s Altar. On these shores, on these bluffs, on this day 75 years ago, 10,000 men shed their blood, and thousands sacrificed their lives, for their brothers, for their countries, and for the survival of liberty,” he said. “They came here and saved freedom.”               🎬 Watch: “These men ran through the fires of hell,” President Trump says.   This historic site is now the resting place for 9,388 American service members who gave their lives for our freedom. More than 170 World War II veterans attended today’s ceremony, including more than 60 who landed as part of the D-Day operation. French President Emmanuel Macron and British Prime Minister Theresa May also spoke. Pausing during his address, President Trump walked over and hugged one of the American veterans who joined him onstage. Private First Class Russell Pickett had been wounded in the first wave of soldiers that landed on Omaha Beach during D-Day. As he received treatment at a hospital in England, Private Pickett made it clear that his service wasn’t finished. “I’m going to return,” Pickett said. Six days after D-Day, he rejoined his company. He would be gravely wounded twice more, including a third injury that caused him to lay unconscious for 12 days. He looked unlikely to survive. “And, today, believe it or not, he has returned once more to these shores to be with his comrades,” President Trump said before embracing the 94-year-old veteran. “Private Pickett, you honor us all with your presence.” Before concluding, President Trump gave a few lasting words of appreciation to the veterans of this Greatest Generation:     The men behind me will tell you that they are just the lucky ones. As one of them recently put it, “All the heroes are buried here.” But we know what these men did. We knew how brave they were. They came here and saved freedom, and then, they went home and showed us all what freedom is all about. The American sons and daughters who saw us to victory were no less extraordinary in peace. They built families. They built industries. They built a national culture that inspired the entire world. In the decades that followed, America defeated communism, secured civil rights, revolutionized science, launched a man to the Moon, and then kept on pushing to new frontiers. And, today, America is stronger than ever before. Seven decades ago, the warriors of D-Day fought a sinister enemy who spoke of a thousand-year empire. In defeating that evil, they left a legacy that will last not only for a thousand years, but for all time—for as long as the soul knows of duty and honor; for as long as freedom keeps its hold on the human heart. To the men who sit behind me, and to the boys who rest in the field before me, your example will never, ever grow old. Your legend will never tire. Your spirit—brave, unyielding, and true—will never die. . . . And our children, and their children, will forever and always be free.      Read President Trump’s full speech to veterans at Normandy. More: Presidential Proclamation for the 75th Anniversary of D-Day Photo of the Day Official White House Photo by Shealah Craighead President Trump greets World War II veterans at the 75th Commemoration of D-Day at the Normandy American Cemetery | June 6, 2019 The White House • June 3, 2019 In photos: Queen Elizabeth II welcomes President Trump and the First Lady From Buckingham Palace to Westminster Abbey, President Donald J. Trump and First Lady Melania Trump kicked off their State Visit to the United Kingdom with a trip to some of the U.K.’s most significant landmarks. The historic visit began with a royal welcome as Marine One landed on the lawn of Buckingham Palace, where Charles, Prince of Wales, and Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall, greeted the President and First Lady. Queen Elizabeth II welcomed President Trump with a handshake at the top of the palace stairs. This week’s trip reflects the special relationship between America and Great Britain, coinciding with the 75th anniversary of D-Day. On June 6, 1944, the Allied forces landed on Omaha Beach in France in the largest land, air, and sea invasion in military history. Thousands of soldiers from both nations lost their lives, but their courage led to victory in World War II—and thus changed the course of history. Commemorating this shared sacrifice, British armed forces played an important role in today’s ceremonies. After the performances of both the American and British national anthems, President Trump accompanied Prince Charles for a traditional inspection of the uniformed Guard of Honor. At Westminster Abbey, Prince Andrew, the Duke of York, served as a guide through the church’s historic halls. While inside, the President and First Lady stopped to lay a wreath at the Grave of the Unknown Warrior. Set in the central aisle of the Abbey, the tomb represents all those who died in service but have no known grave, much like Arlington National Cemetery’s own Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. This evening, Queen Elizabeth concluded the day’s busy schedule of events with an official State Banquet. From Buckingham Palace's ballroom, members of the Royal Family—along with some 170 guests—welcomed America’s First Family. In photos: President Trump and the First Lady arrive at Buckingham Palace. Watch: Queen Elizabeth leads a tour through the Royal Collection display Honoring the victims of Virginia Beach On Friday afternoon, America mourned the loss of 12 souls after a gunman opened fire in a senseless act of violence at a municipal building in Virginia Beach, Virginia. “Our Nation grieves with those affected by the tragic shooting,” President Trump said in a Proclamation for the victims. “Americans unite in praying for God to comfort the injured and heal the wounded.” In honor of those victims, he also ordered the U.S. flag to be flown at half-staff at the White House and other public grounds. Read President Trump’s Proclamation. Photo of the Day Official White House Photo by Shealah Craighead President Trump and Queen Elizabeth tour the Royal Collection of American The White House • June 5, 2019 Why Mexico must act America’s border crisis reached another milestone today—and not an encouraging one. A few hours ago, U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) released its apprehension figures for last month. There’s only one way to describe the new report. “Just stunning,” in the words of The Washington Post’s immigration enforcement reporter. 144,278. That’s how many immigrants were apprehended or deemed inadmissible at our southern border last month alone. The May figure represents a 32 percent spike from April and makes for the third straight month with at least 100,000 apprehensions or inadmissibles. All told, CBP officials have detained more than 680,000 such migrants this fiscal year alone—more than the entire population of Miami, Florida. “We are in a full-blown emergency, and I cannot say this stronger: The system is broken,” acting CBP Commissioner John Sanders told reporters today. The changing face of illegal immigration demands immediate attention. Families and unaccompanied children make up a growing share of those who circumvent our legal immigration system, which makes an already-severe humanitarian crisis even worse. Last month, 88,676 family unit migrants—including both legitimate families and groups that human smugglers pose as families to game the system—and 11,893 unaccompanied children were apprehended or deemed inadmissible at the border. President Donald J. Trump has repeatedly called on Congress to address the holes in our immigration system that cause this crisis. Just as it has for decades, Capitol Hill ducked. Congressional Democrats have gone so far as to deny that any crisis exists at all. Americans deserve the real action that politicians have promised them for years. Last Thursday, President Trump took it, announcing that the United States would place tariffs on goods from Mexico until our southern neighbor steps up and helps stop the massive number of migrants who violate its laws to illegally access our border. More than words are needed. America has been good to Mexico for many years. All we ask now is that Mexico do its fair share to support our Border Patrol officers and bring law and order to its side of the border, as well. President Trump is confident that Mexico can and will act swiftly to confront this dangerous situation. Something to share: Ending a system where the criminals win—and citizens lose.  By the numbers: CBP officers face a worsening crisis at the border. President Trump: “The migrant crisis is a calamity that must now be solved.” Day 2: The President and First Lady in the U.K. Last night, President Trump and First Lady Melania Trump wrapped up the second day of their official State Visit by hosting members of the Royal Family and other dignitaries at the residence of the U.S. Ambassador to the United Kingdom. Some of yesterday’s most powerful moments came early in the day, when Prime Minister May gave the President and First Lady a pair of special tours. First came an up-close look at a rare copy of the Sussex Declaration, also known as our Declaration of Independence, followed by a visit to the Churchill War Rooms—the famed bunkers used by Winston Churchill and his war cabinet as they strategized for Allied victory during World War II. The White House • June 4, 2019 Video of the Day: President Trump and First Lady Melania Trump in the U.K. Thanks to the eminent hospitality of Queen Elizabeth II, the first day of President Donald J. Trump and First Lady Melania Trump’s official State Visit to the United Kingdom embodied the full elegance of a royal celebration. Yesterday’s full schedule concluded where it began: historic Buckingham Palace, where President Trump and the Queen raised their glasses to the lasting friendship between our two nations. “Your Majesty, Melania and I are profoundly honored to be your guests for this historic State Visit,” the President said. “On behalf of all Americans, I offer a toast to the eternal friendship of our people, the vitality of our nations, and to the long-cherished and truly remarkable reign of her Majesty, the Queen.” In photos: Day 1 of President Trump and the First Lady’s State Visit Why the U.S.–U.K. alliance is stronger than ever Early this morning by U.S. time, President Trump and British Prime Minister Theresa May marked day two of the President's State Visit to the U.K. with a joint press conference at 10 Downing Street in London. 🎬 President Trump: “Melania and I are honored to return to London”  As President Trump stated it, the longstanding American-British alliance is the greatest the world has ever known. “Our relationship is grounded in common history, values, customs, culture, language and laws,” he said today. “Our people believe in freedom and independence as a sacred birthright and cherished inheritance worth defending at any cost.” On the world stage, the United Kingdom remains a key partner in advancing shared global interests. Just one example of that alliance in action: the joint campaign to defeat ISIS. With the U.K.’s help, ISIS’ territorial caliphate in Syria and Iraq has now been completely obliterated. This week also marks the 75th anniversary of D-Day. On June 6, 1944, American and British soldiers fought side-by-side to liberate Europe from brutal Nazi occupation and make the world safe for freedom and democracy. It was this shared sacrifice that sealed profound, enduring bonds between America and Britain. “Seventy-five years ago this Thursday, courageous Americans and British patriots set out from this Island toward history’s most important battle,” President Trump said. “They stormed forward out of ships and airplanes, risking everything to defend our people and to ensure that the United States and Britain would forever remain sovereign and forever remain free.” The American-British alliance is thriving under President Trump. Photo of the Day Official White House Photo by Shealah Craighead President Trump participates in a joint press conference with British Prime Minister Theresa May at No. 10 Downing Street in London | June 4, 2019   More: President Trump and Prime Minister May lead a business roundtable Photo of the Day Official White House Photo by Shealah Craighead President Trump gives remarks during a D-Day National Commemorative Event at the Southsea Common in Portsmouth, England | June 5, 2019