Ladies and gentlemen, the president of the United States. Of the national anthem. Ladies and gentlemen my please remain standing for the singing of the national anthem. Oh, say can you see by the dawns early light what so proudly we hailed at the twilights last gleaming . Whose broad stripes and bright stars thru the perilous fight, oer the ramparts we watched were so gallantly streaming . And the rockets red glare, the bombs bursting in air, gave proof through the night that our flag was still there. Oh, say does that starspangled banner yet wave oer the land of the free and the home of the brave. Good morning, it is a great day for a prayer and we thank the lord for the opportunity to be here for this great weather. Lets pray today. We come to you in this moment and we seek your blessings upon our defensey, secretary and the United States of america. Thank you for your presence with us today. And for your presence with those of our forces and families wherever they are around the world. Let them know that we are praying for them and lift them up. Bring them home safely. As peace lovers we come to this place today where we need to requiren times peacekeepers and peacemakers. Grant the president and the Vice President and the defense secretary and the joint chiefs of staff your divine wisdom and your divine strength and your divine knowledge that leads to increased power and brings increased peace. As these leaders Work Together with our allies, less their ,fforts in the good of mankind as the defense secretary enters his new role, may he lead with honor and integrity and a newfound love and admiration for each other. As you continue to bless the United States of america, and the department of defense, we continue to trust in you in your power for your glory now and amen. R, please be seated. [playing Yankee Doodle dandy] [applause] [applause] ladies and gentlemen the , markary of defense esper. He was confirmed as the everyone, look fantastic. President trump, distinguished guests, thank you for joining us today, on the behalf of the diff are department of defense, welcome. This building is not only our headquarters, a prominent symbol of our military power and of our willingness to defend our people around the world and to generations of americans, this place, this building embodies our National Security, however, a building is nothing without the people within it and the spirit and dedication they bring to it each and every day. As such, i want to say thank you to the great patriots who come to work here and focus on one thing, supporting more than 2 million soldiers and sailors who sacrifice and serve in defense of our great nation. They all represent our best and i am proud to serve with them and alongside them. Mr. President , thank you for this incredible opportunity. It is an honor to be appointed secretary defense and lead the greatest military in history. I am especially humbled that you would be here today to celebrate. I also want to say thank you your unwavering commitment to our armed forces into a Strong National defense. Our military has made tremendous gains in recent years, and today we are ready to face any challenge any time anywhere as we continue to stand guard around the world. Finally i would say thank you to the Armed Services committee for its swift action and the strong support that i received from the entire United States senate. The Global Security environment has become more complex, and the free and open order preserved the peace and sustain our prosperity is under duress. Great power competition has reemerged as china and russia seek to displace the United States. Iran continues to threaten its neighbors. Look for organizations new safe havens to plot against us. As the department of defense takes on these challenges, we will continue to strengthen in order to preserve our peace and advanced our interest. We will do this first by building a lethal force one that is increasing its readiness and modernizing for the future. Thanks to this president and the support of congress, the last two budgets have allowed us to make significant investments in the next couple promised to do the same as well. In addition, the department is on the verge of a significant change in how we organize and train and equip our space forces. I know this is an important priority for you and it my team is fully engaged with committees to create for the first time in 70 years a new branch of the armed forces, the United States space force. [applause] second, we will strengthen our alliances, building a Strong Network of nations that are willing to fight together is an advantage that our adversaries do not possess, but this means our eye lies allies must contribute to our shared security. The president has called on other nations to do more and they have responded. By the end of 2020, our allies will spend additional money on defense, an unprecedented increase that will make the alliance stronger. [applause] third, we will reform the department to make the best use of every single Dollar Congress gives us. We have many demands and it is incumbent to look for ways no matter how strong small to free up money and manpower to invest back into our top priorities, we must always keep faith with the American People taxood stewards of their dollars. Lastly, as a personal priority of mine, we place a particular focus on the wellbeing of our families. Civilians andd children make tremendous sacrifices to this country and in return i am committed to ensuring they are properly cared for. I want to say thank you to this mrs. Pe and misses nce for their efforts. Thank you. [applause] in closing, i want to say thank you to the soldiers and airmen and marines who make up the greatest fighting force known to man. These brave americans are standing watch to deter aggression and preserve peace on land, and the seas, throughout the skies and in both space and cyberspace, members from across the army, navy and marines solemnly and competently carry out their duties, assured by the leadership of the commanderinchiefs and the men and women know we will never send them into a fight without the training and equipment and the leadership they need to prevail they know that this administration, this congress and the American People have their back. They know that when they are deployed far away from home, their families will be taken care of. Thank you for allowing me the privilege to serve our great country once again as secretary of defense. As a take on this responsibility, i will carry out my duties with the same commitment to duty and honor and country that i have for nearly four decades since my days at west point. I assure you that this department will not let our great nation down. [applause] ladies and gentlemen it is my great privilege at this time to now welcome the Vice President of the United States. [applause] mr. President , secretary, members of the cabinet, members of congress and of the joint chiefs of staff, most especially , to all those who wear the uniform of the United States, and their families, and the civilians who support you, it is a special honor to be here with all of you. This is the symbol of American Power and to join all of you for the full honors ceremony of the 27th secretary of defense, esper. Ry mark t. As the men and women who serve well, since day one of this administration, the president has taken Decisive Action to make the Strongest Military in the history of the world stronger. Cuts, thes of budget president bought for and secured the largest increase in our National Defense and more than a generation, including the Largest Military pay raise in over 10 years. [applause] at his direction, we produce a versegy that puts america first, as the secretary just said our allies are contributing or to our common defense than ever before and with the strong support of leaders in congress, we are on our way to establishing the sixth branch of our armed forces, the United States space force. Congress will vote today on a the historicserves investments we have made in our National Defense. It provides for veterans and sequesterthe defense once and for all. [applause] mr. Secretary, because of this president s efforts you inherit a military better prepared than any in the world. The president and i have every confidence that you will lead the department with the same leave the department of defense with the same dedication and integrity that marked your military career. Patriotismship and no doubt accounts for the 90 votes you received in the u. S. Senate and confirms the confidence that the president is placing in you today. Forsecretary, thank you answering the call to serve our country once again. President donald trump has no higher priority than the safety and security of the American People. Today by providing renewed leadership to the department of defense, our commander in chief is taking one more critical step to provide for the common defense of the American People and our way of life. It is my high honor and distinct privilege to introduce your commander in chief and the 41st president of the United States of america, president donald trump. [applause] mr. Trump well, thank you very much to our great Vice President , and thank you to all of the extraordinary patriots here at the United States department of defense, the Worlds Largest building. Ive heard for many years, the Worlds Largest building. And its under great leadership. Your devotion, strength, and courage keep america safe, strong, and free. Its because of you that the United States military is the most powerful fighting force on the face of the earth. I want to express our gratitude to the old guard and to all of the Service Members in todays review for their extraordinary commitment to excellence and their unwavering loyalty to our nation. It is the greatest honor of my life to serve as your commanderinchief. Let me also recognize the incredible u. S. Navy sea chanters and the band for that beautiful rendition of our national anthem. It was really beautiful, and thank you very much. Fantastic job. Thank you. Thank you. Were gathered here today to celebrate the swearingin of americas new secretary of defense, mark t. Esper. Secretary esper, your lifetime of Noble Service has prepared you for this immense responsibility. And thats what it is immense responsibility. On behalf of our entire country, thank you and congratulations. Congratulations. [applause] mr. Trump i have no doubt, i know you well, that you will thrive in the performance of your duties and make all americans, everybody in this great country, all americans very, very proud. Theyre right now very proud, but theyre going to be even more so as time goes by. People love our country more than ever, and our country is respected again. Remember that. Im delighted that many members of your family could be here for this special occasion, including your wonderful wife leah, your mother polly, and your children luke and katherine. Thank you. Thank you very much. Congratulations to a great family. Thank you very much. Great family. Also joining us are acting secretary kevin mcaleenan, acting administrator chris pilkerton, director dan coats, representatives kay granger, john rice carter, and many members of the diplomatic corps. With us, as well, are many distinguished military leaders, vice chairman of the joint chiefs of staff, general paul selva. Where is paul . Paul . Paul. Acting secretary of the army ryan mccarthy. Ryan . Hi, ryan. Stand up, ryan. Youre doing a great job. [applause] mr. Trump youre filling big shoes, ryan. Acting secretary of the air force matthew donovan. Thank you very much. Thank you, secretary. [applause] mr. Trump acting secretary of the navy thomas modly. Thank you, thomas. Great. [applause] mr. Trump army chief of staff, general mark milley. Mark . Thank you, mark. Congratulations to mark. Coast guard commandant, admiral karl shultz. Thank you, admiral. [applause] mr. Trump marine corps commandant, general david berger. General, thank you very much. [applause] mr. Trump air force chief of staff, general david goldfein. General, thank you very much. [applause] mr. Trump and chief of naval operations, admiral john richardson. Thank you all. Thank you, admiral. [applause] mr. Trump over many decades, in times of war and peace, mark esper has answered the call of duty. Hes never failed. He hails from uniontown, pennsylvania, the hometown of his personal hero, the legendary former secretary of defense and a great one, george marshall. Mark attended the United States military academy at west point. Graduated in 1986, receiving a commission in the infantry. Soon, he earned his tab, ranger tab, and fought with the famed 101st Airborne Division in the gulf war. He was awarded the bronze star and the combat infantryman badge for his service. Brave guy. They all told me hes a brave guy. I knew that anyway. In total, mark served in our nations military for 21 years. He completed his final activeduty assignment right here at the pentagon on the army staff and then returned six years later as the Deputy Assistant secretary of defense for negotiations policy. Over his career, mark has advanced our National Security in a variety of other government and private sector roles. He has worked in both houses of congress, advising lawmakers. I can see he had some talent because he won was it 98 to what . No, you got 90, right . Can you believe this . I dont believe it. Congress, advising lawmakers. I heard a ninety. Ninety to eight, right . [laughter] i dont know. I havent heard that sound in a long time, mark. Now im worried. Ninety to eight. Wow. He served as Vice President of raytheon. Along the way, mark earned a masters degree at harvards john f. Kennedy school of government and a phd at George Washington university. In 2017, mark was sworn in as secretary of the United States army, a position in which he earned universal admiration and respect. Tremendous respect. At the department of defense, secretary esper will work with more than 2 million Service Members and hundreds of thousands of civilian employees all dedicated to one Critical Mission the defense of the nation and of this great nations people. I have absolute confidence that mark will ensure that our incredible military is fully prepared to deter conflict and to defeat any foe. No enemy can match the awesome might of the american army, navy, air force, coast guard, and the United States marines. We had a Budget Approved when i first came in. Billions and billions of dollars more than it was previously, in the previous administration, 700 billion. Then i went to 716 billion. And i wont even tell you what this one is. I can only tell you its even more. Because we have rebuilt things that nobody ever even thought of rebuilding. Weve added the greatest planes in the world, the greatest missiles in the world. Weve upgraded our nuclear very, weve upgraded our nuclear very, very powerfully, including new. We never want to have to use it. Pray to god that we never have to use it. But we have the best in the world in every aspect of military. The president the sight of american warriors brings solace into the hearts of our friends and strikes fear into the hearts of our enemies. Our military today is more powerful, by far, than ever before. And three years ago, we could not have said that, could we, mark . Were giving our warfighters the tools they need to fight and win with overwhelming force. After years and years of budget cuts and all of the things that theyve been doing to set us back with our military, we have more than made up for all of it. Were building new tanks and ships and submarines and planes and Missile Systems to ensure that our warriors operate with unrivaled capability in conflict. Any battlefield will be a battlefield on which we win. We have given our Service Members their largest pay raise in nearly a decade. And under this administration, we have faced the challenge of our time with clear eyes, fresh thinking, and bold determination. Our First Priority is always the safety and sovereignty of our nation and our citizens. Here at home, we have deployed military forces to confront the grave National Security crisis on our southern border. And i want to thank all of the great military leaders for the help youve given us on our southern border. And, as you know, mexico has now deployed 21,000 troops, which is something theyve never done before. And theyve been a tremendous help. Tremendous difference in the numbers very rapidly. And we want to thank the country of mexico and the president. No nation can be safe or secure that fails to control its borders. In syria and iraq, thanks to the bravery of our warriors and their allies, the isis territorial caliphate has been 100 and just absolutely destroyed, and we did it in a very quick moment of time. As soon as i said, i want to do it, and i want to do it fast, our military kicked in and it happened very, very quickly. Today, we stand not far from where terrorists attacked the pentagon on 9 11, claiming 184 precious lives. We will never forget the immortal sacrifice of those american patriots. We vow to do whatever it takes to protect our homeland, to safeguard our people from the threat of radical islamic terrorism, and to preserve american freedom. Around the world, america faces new threats and strategic rivals, it seems like all the time. We have met this competition with unmatched confidence, purpose, and resolve. We talk to all of them, and they talk to us with great, great respect. They respect our country so much more than they have for many, many decades. Right now, they respect us more than they have in many, many years. And its only going to get more so. We are ensuring american dominance across every warfighting domain land, air, sea, cyber, and now space. That is why, under secretary espers leadership, we will as mike and mark have already said, but its so exciting to say, and whenever i make a speech, people start going wild. They stand up and they clap, and i cant sit them down. And i have to wait because i say, were launching the United States space force. They go absolutely wild. They understand thats where its going to be at. And were going to be there, and were going to be there in every way that you can. As we aim ever higher, i know the men and women of this department will never let up and never rest easy. Together, we will fulfill our Sacred Mission to protect the greatest nation in the history of the world, the United States of america. With unyielding strength, we will defend our country, we will defend our people, and we will proudly defend our Great American flag. Secretary esper, congratulations again to you and your family. This is an incredible day in the life and fabled history of the United States. Secretary of defense, do you ever see that, looking into do you ever see that one . As i watch all of these great men and women youre going to do a great job, i have no doubt. Absolutely no doubt. [applause] mr. Trump no doubt. We cannot wait to see all that you will achieve for our nation as the new secretary of defense. I want to thank everybody for being here. Very special people. God bless you. God bless our military. And god bless america. Thank you very much everybody. Thank you. [applause] honor guard, attention. Arms. Shoulder, at this time, we would like to recognize all the veterans who are here today. Song, werecognize your ask that you stand and be recognized. The United States army. Battlesting till the won and the army surely has won the armys on its way go, thee army is the United States air force. The United States marine corps. The United States coast guard. The United States navy. [applause] honor guard, pass in review. Right shoulder, present arms. Forward march. Mr. President , this concludes todays ceremony. Ladies and gentlemen, this concludes todays ceremony. Please stand for the departure of the official party. Have a wonderful day. On newsmakers, guy cecil talks about the groups goals for the 2020 election. To elect a democratic president and put more democrats in the senate and the role of pacs. Sunday at 10 00 eastern on cspan. The u. S. Senate comes back into session on monday, september 9, with two important issues on their agenda in the passing federal spending bills and antigun violence legislation. Get a behind the scenes look at the senate with cspans history program, the senate conflict and compromise. This government under which we live was created in the spirit of compromise. Thomas jefferson questioned the need for the senate. Lets follow the constitution. To protect people from their rulers and as a check on the house. The state of this country and maybe even the world lies in the hands of congress and the u. S. Senate. Andspans Video Archives unique access to the senate chamber, we will look at the history, traditions, and roles of the u. S. Senate. Sunday at 9 00 p. M. Eastern and pacific. Labor day weekend on American History tv. Tonight at 8 00 p. M. Eastern on lectures in history, a discussion about Abraham Lincoln and native americans. Sunday at 4 00 p. M. On real tonight at 8 00 p. M. Eastername5