Trump praises America’s ‘towering spirit’ in Memorial Day speech

President Trump likened the coronavirus pandemic to war during a Memorial Day visit to Fort McHenry in Maryland, saying the “towering spirit” that spurred American resistance to a British invasion in 1814 will “vanquish the virus.”

Trump highlighted the military’s role fighting COVID-19 while speaking at the island fortress near Baltimore.

“In recent months, our nation and the world have been engaged in a new form of battle against an invisible enemy,” Trump said. “Once more, the men and women of the United States military have answered the call to duty and raced into danger. Tens of thousands of service members and National Guardsmen are on the front lines of our war against this terrible virus, caring for patients, delivering critical supplies and working night and day to safeguard our citizens as one nation.”

Trump visited the historical site as he encourages states to reopen their economies after more than two months of COVID-19-triggered lockdowns. The virus has sickened more than 1.6 million Americans, killed almost 98,000 and left nearly one-quarter jobless.

“We mourn alongside every single family that has lost loved ones, including the families of our great veterans,” Trump continued in his speech. “Together, we will vanquish the virus and America will rise from this crisis to new and even greater heights. As our brave warriors have shown us from the nation’s earliest days, in America we are the captains of our own fate. No obstacle, no challenge and no threat is a match for the sheer determination of the American people.

“This towering spirit permeates every inch of the hallowed soil beneath our feet. In this place more than 200 years ago, American patriots stood their ground and repelled a British invasion in the Battle of Baltimore during the War of 1812.”

Fort McHenry’s resistance inspired Francis Scott Key to write “The Star Spangled Banner,” which later became the National Anthem.

The commander-in-chief’s visit followed a solemn Monday morning wreath-laying ceremony at Arlington National Cemetery in Virginia.

Some Baltimore officials objected to Trump’s visit, noting that local residents remain under a stay-at-home order during the holiday known for cookouts and enjoying the outdoors.

Trump is slowly resuming domestic travel after largely being confined to the White House since March. On Wednesday, he’s expected to attend a SpaceX rocket launch in Florida.