Trump presents Commander-In-Chief trophy to U.S. Army football team
President Trump presented the coveted Commander-In-Chief trophy to the U.S. Army West Point Black Knights football team on Tuesday, for the first time in 21 years, hailing their win in the final matchup against Navy as "old-fashioned football."
"On that snowy day, you fought hard, you came from behind and beat Navy for the second season in a row, the first time in over two decades, that's what you call a job well done."
Started in 1972, the trophy is awarded to the service academy that wins the triple-threat match between the Army, Navy and Air Force academies. The Black Knights are visiting The White House after defeating both Air Force and Navy for the trophy title. It's the first visit to Washington for the Black Knights since 1996.
Last year Mr. Trump awarded the trophy to the U.S. Air Force academy, which has claimed the title an impressive 20 times.
During Tuesday's ceremony, Mr. Trump touted his administration's efforts in pushing for an over $700 billion increase in defense spending, saying the U.S. military is "respected again."
"We just got approved, $700 billion this year, $716 billion for next year and that's for you and the armed forces and we've never had that before, stronger than ever before," remarked Mr. Trump.
He also once again suggested adding a 6th branch to the U.S. armed forces -- the "space force."
"We're getting very big in space both militarily and for other reasons and we're seriously thinking of the space force," said Mr. Trump. He previously suggested such a branch in an offhand comment during an event at a San Diego Marine Corps base in March.
The president also recognized members of his Cabinet present at the ceremony, including Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, saying he's "gotten more publicity than me lately."
"He's been very busy," said Mr. Trump, asking Pompeo is everything was "going good" at State. He added, "I think better than people understand. Good job Mike."
