President Trump on Friday released a statement congratulating members of the Class of 2020 on their upcoming graduations — even though most ceremonies have been canceled because of the deadly coronavirus pandemic.
“Congratulations on your upcoming graduation! The First Lady and I are very proud of you. Over the past weeks and months, you, your classmates, teachers and administrators, and our Nation have experienced times of uncertainty and adversity,” the president said in a statement.
“Though this season of celebration has been disrupted by the coronavirus pandemic, our country and communities need you now more than ever. Your leadership will be essential in the days and weeks to come in helping your fellow Americans recover from this hardship,” Trump continued.
“We wish you the best of luck in all of your future endeavors.”
The president announced earlier this month that he would deliver the commencement address at the United States Military Academy’s 2020 graduation ceremony at West Point on June 13.
Critics warned that the administration was putting 1,000 cadets at risk by returning them to the upstate campus during the pandemic.
But on Thursday, Army brass defended the decision.
“We can’t telecommute to combat,” Gen. James McConville, chief of staff of the Army, told Pentagon reporters when asked about the decision.
Lt. Gen. Darryl Williams, academy superintendent, said the students must return for medical and other required tasks that can only be done at the academy before they can be turned over as new officers to the Army.
He said the school will create a “safety bubble” around the cadets and build a staging base where they will arrive.
All cadets will be screened and tested for the virus at the staging area and then separated into five groups that will eat and live separately. They will be quarantined for 14 days.
Williams said Keller Army Community Hospital at the base now has all the needed testing equipment, and was converted to be able to handle and quarantine virus patients.
With Post wires
