1 00:00:00,000 --> 00:00:00,833 (audience clapping) 2 00:00:00,833 --> 00:00:01,833 - Thank you. 3 00:00:04,954 --> 00:00:05,787 Thank you. 4 00:00:05,787 --> 00:00:08,921 (audience cheering) 5 00:00:08,921 --> 00:00:10,106 Thank you, everybody. 6 00:00:10,106 --> 00:00:12,611 Thank you, thank you so much. 7 00:00:12,611 --> 00:00:15,611 (audience cheering) 8 00:00:18,691 --> 00:00:19,870 Well, thank you very much 9 00:00:19,870 --> 00:00:21,910 and thank you, Melania. 10 00:00:21,910 --> 00:00:26,650 And hello Joint Base Andrews; special place. 11 00:00:26,650 --> 00:00:28,003 At ease. 12 00:00:28,003 --> 00:00:28,836 (man whooping) 13 00:00:28,836 --> 00:00:30,053 We have good news for you. 14 00:00:31,080 --> 00:00:34,280 On behalf of the First Lady, 15 00:00:34,280 --> 00:00:38,707 Vice President Mike Pence, Mrs. Pence, 16 00:00:38,707 --> 00:00:41,240 I want to wish everybody a very Merry Christmas. 17 00:00:41,240 --> 00:00:42,363 Happy New Year. 18 00:00:43,580 --> 00:00:48,450 This is a truly historic day for the American Armed Forces. 19 00:00:48,450 --> 00:00:51,310 In just a few minutes I will proudly sign into law 20 00:00:51,310 --> 00:00:53,860 the largest ever investment 21 00:00:54,900 --> 00:00:58,100 in the United States military. 22 00:00:58,100 --> 00:01:03,100 In fact, I can say the largest ever by far. 23 00:01:03,110 --> 00:01:05,710 Today also marks another landmark achievement 24 00:01:05,710 --> 00:01:09,380 as we officially inaugurate the newest branch 25 00:01:09,380 --> 00:01:11,920 of our military. 26 00:01:11,920 --> 00:01:15,110 This is a very big and important moment. 27 00:01:15,110 --> 00:01:18,318 It's called the Space Force. 28 00:01:18,318 --> 00:01:21,318 (audience cheering) 29 00:01:27,200 --> 00:01:29,740 Most importantly, we are supporting you, 30 00:01:29,740 --> 00:01:33,490 the heroes who defend our families, secure our nation, 31 00:01:33,490 --> 00:01:35,133 and protect our freedom. 32 00:01:36,680 --> 00:01:40,850 The 2020 National Defense Authorization Act 33 00:01:40,850 --> 00:01:43,710 is about making sure our war fighters 34 00:01:43,710 --> 00:01:46,270 have the tools, resources, and equipment you need 35 00:01:46,270 --> 00:01:50,150 to fight and to win; all the time to win. 36 00:01:50,150 --> 00:01:51,980 We're making our military stronger 37 00:01:51,980 --> 00:01:54,840 and more powerful than ever before. 38 00:01:54,840 --> 00:01:59,840 We're joined today by Secretary of Defense, Mark Esper, 39 00:02:00,920 --> 00:02:05,040 and our Service Secretary, General Mark Milley. 40 00:02:05,040 --> 00:02:06,500 Thank you very much, General. 41 00:02:06,500 --> 00:02:08,070 Fantastic job you're doing. 42 00:02:08,070 --> 00:02:11,770 And members of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, 43 00:02:11,770 --> 00:02:14,490 many distinguished military leaders, 44 00:02:14,490 --> 00:02:18,140 and Representatives Mac Thornberry, 45 00:02:18,140 --> 00:02:23,140 Joe Wilson, Mike Rogers, Michael Turner, 46 00:02:23,230 --> 00:02:27,020 Michael McCall, Robert Wittman, 47 00:02:27,020 --> 00:02:30,550 French Hill, Matt Gaetz, 48 00:02:30,550 --> 00:02:34,320 Greg Pence, and Michael Waltz. 49 00:02:34,320 --> 00:02:38,240 And I want to give a special shout out 50 00:02:38,240 --> 00:02:41,500 to a very great gentleman 51 00:02:41,500 --> 00:02:43,610 who loves the military, loves this country, 52 00:02:43,610 --> 00:02:45,300 Senator Jim Inhofe. 53 00:02:45,300 --> 00:02:46,510 He's worked so hard on this. 54 00:02:46,510 --> 00:02:47,343 (audience clapping) 55 00:02:47,343 --> 00:02:48,176 Thank you, Jim. 56 00:02:49,681 --> 00:02:50,931 Thank you, all. 57 00:02:53,680 --> 00:02:56,860 I want to extend a special thanks to 58 00:02:56,860 --> 00:02:59,030 Commander of the Air Force, 59 00:02:59,030 --> 00:03:03,243 District of Washington, Major General Ricky Rupp 60 00:03:03,243 --> 00:03:06,243 (audience cheering) 61 00:03:08,440 --> 00:03:12,520 and Commander of the 11th Wing and Joint Base Andrews, 62 00:03:12,520 --> 00:03:15,370 Colonel Andrew Purath. 63 00:03:15,370 --> 00:03:17,072 Thank you, thoroughly. 64 00:03:17,072 --> 00:03:20,590 (audience cheering) 65 00:03:20,590 --> 00:03:22,610 And I am profoundly grateful 66 00:03:22,610 --> 00:03:24,560 to everyone at America's Airfield. 67 00:03:24,560 --> 00:03:27,220 That's what they call it, America's Airfield. 68 00:03:27,220 --> 00:03:28,163 I use it often. 69 00:03:29,640 --> 00:03:30,960 There is no greater honor 70 00:03:30,960 --> 00:03:33,610 than to serve as your Commander in Chief. 71 00:03:33,610 --> 00:03:36,120 I especially want to thank the incredible people 72 00:03:36,120 --> 00:03:40,310 who fly and maintain Air Force One. 73 00:03:40,310 --> 00:03:42,880 You are the best of the best. 74 00:03:42,880 --> 00:03:46,176 Thank you very much for doing such an incredible job. 75 00:03:46,176 --> 00:03:49,800 (audience cheering) 76 00:03:49,800 --> 00:03:54,670 Today's signing of the 2020 NDAA 77 00:03:54,670 --> 00:03:59,670 is a watershed event in the truest sense of the word. 78 00:03:59,670 --> 00:04:01,000 Before I came into office, 79 00:04:01,000 --> 00:04:05,110 the military endured deep and devastating budget cuts. 80 00:04:05,110 --> 00:04:08,023 Our military, quite frankly, was very depleted. 81 00:04:09,180 --> 00:04:10,830 As a candidate for president, 82 00:04:10,830 --> 00:04:15,180 I promised to reverse these crippling cuts 83 00:04:15,180 --> 00:04:17,150 and to ensure our military remains 84 00:04:17,150 --> 00:04:22,150 unchallenged and unrivaled anywhere in the world. 85 00:04:22,230 --> 00:04:25,240 And right now there is no one, 86 00:04:25,240 --> 00:04:27,803 there is no country that comes even close. 87 00:04:28,907 --> 00:04:31,907 (audience cheering) 88 00:04:35,140 --> 00:04:39,770 The law I'm signing today provides 738 billion, 89 00:04:41,700 --> 00:04:42,573 that's with a B, 90 00:04:44,630 --> 00:04:49,630 738 billion dollars in defense funding for the 2020. 91 00:04:50,890 --> 00:04:52,480 That's an all-time record. 92 00:04:52,480 --> 00:04:53,720 In the history of our country, 93 00:04:53,720 --> 00:04:58,240 that's the highest amount we've ever spent on our military. 94 00:04:58,240 --> 00:05:02,010 And that's after 700 billion in my first year 95 00:05:02,010 --> 00:05:05,633 and 716 billion last year. 96 00:05:06,490 --> 00:05:09,660 And it's all made right here in the USA. 97 00:05:09,660 --> 00:05:10,621 It's very important. 98 00:05:10,621 --> 00:05:13,170 (audience cheering) 99 00:05:13,170 --> 00:05:17,030 And I have to say that we make the finest equipment, 100 00:05:17,030 --> 00:05:21,370 the finest planes, the finest missiles, the finest ships. 101 00:05:21,370 --> 00:05:24,860 We make the finest equipment anywhere in the world. 102 00:05:24,860 --> 00:05:26,730 It's not even close. 103 00:05:26,730 --> 00:05:30,010 This brings our total investment in national defense 104 00:05:30,010 --> 00:05:35,010 since my inauguration to almost 2.5 trillion dollars. 105 00:05:37,010 --> 00:05:38,670 And what's the good of a budget, 106 00:05:38,670 --> 00:05:41,810 if you don't have the best military in the world? 107 00:05:41,810 --> 00:05:43,660 And now we focus on the budget a little bit. 108 00:05:43,660 --> 00:05:44,493 Is that okay? 109 00:05:44,493 --> 00:05:46,320 We'll focus on the budget. 110 00:05:46,320 --> 00:05:50,000 2.5 trillion dollars, so that's really something. 111 00:05:50,000 --> 00:05:51,630 And it's new and it's beautiful, 112 00:05:51,630 --> 00:05:54,280 and within the next 12 months you'll have most of it. 113 00:05:55,220 --> 00:05:57,760 In addition to massive acquisitions 114 00:05:57,760 --> 00:06:00,060 in the past two years, 115 00:06:00,060 --> 00:06:05,060 this bill authorizes nearly 100 new F-35s, 116 00:06:05,330 --> 00:06:09,510 24 brand new F/A-18s, 117 00:06:09,510 --> 00:06:14,510 155 Army helicopters of all different types, 118 00:06:14,880 --> 00:06:19,880 165 brand new, beautiful Abrams tanks 119 00:06:20,350 --> 00:06:23,120 said to be the best in the world, 120 00:06:23,120 --> 00:06:27,030 more than 50 Paladin howitzers, 121 00:06:27,030 --> 00:06:30,830 two new Virginia class submarines, 122 00:06:30,830 --> 00:06:35,210 three new Arleigh Burke destroyers, 123 00:06:35,210 --> 00:06:38,130 a Ford class aircraft carrier, 124 00:06:38,130 --> 00:06:40,900 and two others on their way. 125 00:06:40,900 --> 00:06:44,330 And much, much more. 126 00:06:44,330 --> 00:06:45,890 But as we discussed earlier, 127 00:06:45,890 --> 00:06:49,383 our military is getting far more that just new equipment. 128 00:06:50,320 --> 00:06:52,560 For this first time, and I have to say, 129 00:06:52,560 --> 00:06:54,020 you know what happened last year. 130 00:06:54,020 --> 00:06:56,740 It was a good pay raise, 131 00:06:56,740 --> 00:06:58,337 but now you're getting another pay raise 132 00:06:58,337 --> 00:07:00,970 and this will be the largest pay raise 133 00:07:00,970 --> 00:07:04,350 in more than 10 years, more than a decade. 134 00:07:04,350 --> 00:07:06,466 So if you don't want it, you don't have to take it. 135 00:07:06,466 --> 00:07:09,466 (audience cheering) 136 00:07:13,400 --> 00:07:16,410 For the first time since President Harry Truman 137 00:07:16,410 --> 00:07:19,950 created the Air Force over 70 years ago. 138 00:07:19,950 --> 00:07:21,350 Think of that. 139 00:07:21,350 --> 00:07:26,350 We will create a brand new American military service. 140 00:07:26,960 --> 00:07:29,260 That's such a momentous statement. 141 00:07:29,260 --> 00:07:31,853 70 years ago, the Air Force. 142 00:07:32,810 --> 00:07:35,780 With my signature today you will witness 143 00:07:35,780 --> 00:07:39,140 the birth of the Space Force 144 00:07:39,140 --> 00:07:43,000 and that will be now officially the 6th branch 145 00:07:43,000 --> 00:07:45,260 of the United States Armed Forces. 146 00:07:45,260 --> 00:07:47,258 That is something really incredible. 147 00:07:47,258 --> 00:07:49,020 (audience cheering) 148 00:07:49,020 --> 00:07:50,920 It's a big moment. 149 00:07:50,920 --> 00:07:53,463 That's a big moment and we're all here for it. 150 00:07:54,960 --> 00:07:56,900 Space. 151 00:07:56,900 --> 00:08:00,080 Gonna be a lot of things happening in space 152 00:08:01,090 --> 00:08:05,130 because space is the world's newest war fighting domain. 153 00:08:05,130 --> 00:08:08,660 Amid grave threats to our national security, 154 00:08:08,660 --> 00:08:12,300 American superiority in space is absolutely vital 155 00:08:13,550 --> 00:08:17,200 and we're leading, but we're not leading by enough. 156 00:08:17,200 --> 00:08:20,120 But very shortly we'll be leading by a lot. 157 00:08:20,120 --> 00:08:23,100 This Space Force will help us deter aggression 158 00:08:23,100 --> 00:08:25,163 and control the ultimate high ground. 159 00:08:26,100 --> 00:08:30,590 I particularly want to thank Vice President Mike Pence. 160 00:08:30,590 --> 00:08:32,420 He was so involved in this with me. 161 00:08:32,420 --> 00:08:37,070 This was a real, with the spirit, the love, 162 00:08:37,070 --> 00:08:40,760 that I think we can say, Mike, that we both had for this 163 00:08:40,760 --> 00:08:43,330 project because we realized how important it is 164 00:08:43,330 --> 00:08:47,310 to our military, to our future, to our defense. 165 00:08:47,310 --> 00:08:51,360 So important and it's gonna blend in magnificently 166 00:08:51,360 --> 00:08:52,790 with everything else that we have. 167 00:08:52,790 --> 00:08:54,110 So I want to thank Mike Pence. 168 00:08:54,110 --> 00:08:55,239 Mike, thank you very much. 169 00:08:55,239 --> 00:08:56,900 (audience cheering) 170 00:08:56,900 --> 00:08:57,950 Thank you, thank you. 171 00:08:57,950 --> 00:08:59,083 Great job, Mike. 172 00:09:00,100 --> 00:09:03,540 It was nearly half a century from Kitty Hawk 173 00:09:03,540 --> 00:09:05,230 to the creation of the Air Force, 174 00:09:05,230 --> 00:09:08,250 and now it's 50 years after Apollo 11 175 00:09:09,250 --> 00:09:11,700 that we create the Space Force. 176 00:09:11,700 --> 00:09:12,670 With today's signing 177 00:09:12,670 --> 00:09:15,940 I will proudly appoint General Jay Raymond 178 00:09:15,940 --> 00:09:19,580 the first Chief of Space Operations, 179 00:09:19,580 --> 00:09:22,300 and he will become the very first member 180 00:09:22,300 --> 00:09:26,620 of the Space Force, and he will be on the Joint Chiefs. 181 00:09:26,620 --> 00:09:28,110 He will be on the Joint Chiefs, 182 00:09:28,110 --> 00:09:30,870 which, you know, we're now expanding by one position. 183 00:09:30,870 --> 00:09:33,000 That's a very powerful position. 184 00:09:33,000 --> 00:09:35,280 So General Raymond, congratulations 185 00:09:35,280 --> 00:09:36,996 and thank you for everything you've done. 186 00:09:36,996 --> 00:09:39,996 (audience cheering) 187 00:09:48,570 --> 00:09:53,570 The 2020 NDA also protects the vital legal tools we need 188 00:09:53,810 --> 00:09:56,310 to defend America's borders. 189 00:09:56,310 --> 00:09:59,660 The law improves education, child care, 190 00:09:59,660 --> 00:10:02,320 and private housing for military families, 191 00:10:02,320 --> 00:10:05,240 and it ends the so-called widows tax, 192 00:10:05,240 --> 00:10:09,230 which blocked benefits for families of fallen heroes. 193 00:10:09,230 --> 00:10:10,397 Tax is gone. 194 00:10:10,397 --> 00:10:13,397 (audience cheering) 195 00:10:15,710 --> 00:10:17,213 It was very important. 196 00:10:18,370 --> 00:10:20,230 That was very important to us. 197 00:10:20,230 --> 00:10:22,510 Widows tax is gone. 198 00:10:22,510 --> 00:10:26,630 After years of unrealized promises by other politicians, 199 00:10:26,630 --> 00:10:31,630 I honor my commitment today as I sign paid parental leave 200 00:10:32,233 --> 00:10:34,021 (audience cheering) 201 00:10:34,021 --> 00:10:37,330 for the federal civilian workforce. 202 00:10:37,330 --> 00:10:38,763 That's paid into law. 203 00:10:39,810 --> 00:10:41,050 So thank you very much. 204 00:10:41,050 --> 00:10:44,390 That's a very big thing, paid parental leave. 205 00:10:44,390 --> 00:10:45,330 Another thing that they've been 206 00:10:45,330 --> 00:10:47,800 trying to get for many years. 207 00:10:47,800 --> 00:10:51,260 As we head into Christmas, I'm proud to report 208 00:10:51,260 --> 00:10:53,560 that we're giving every soldier, 209 00:10:53,560 --> 00:10:57,140 sailor, airman, Coast Guardsmen, and Marine 210 00:10:57,140 --> 00:10:59,680 a well-earned pay raise. 211 00:10:59,680 --> 00:11:03,950 In January each of you will see the largest increase 212 00:11:03,950 --> 00:11:07,270 that you have had in such a long time. 213 00:11:07,270 --> 00:11:08,900 In fact it goes back so far 214 00:11:08,900 --> 00:11:11,780 that a lot of people don't even know what that date is. 215 00:11:11,780 --> 00:11:13,470 I can just tell you it's a lot of money. 216 00:11:13,470 --> 00:11:15,500 And I say it, and I say it again, 217 00:11:15,500 --> 00:11:17,250 if you'd like not to take it, 218 00:11:17,250 --> 00:11:19,940 if you'd like to make a donation to your great country, 219 00:11:19,940 --> 00:11:21,380 please just let us know. 220 00:11:21,380 --> 00:11:23,220 We'll give you a little bit less. 221 00:11:23,220 --> 00:11:24,610 Any takers, by the way? 222 00:11:24,610 --> 00:11:25,443 I don't know. 223 00:11:26,620 --> 00:11:28,770 No, congratulations on that. 224 00:11:28,770 --> 00:11:32,510 With this legislation we show our undying commitment 225 00:11:32,510 --> 00:11:34,740 to the warriors who keep us safe. 226 00:11:34,740 --> 00:11:36,240 These are incredible warriors. 227 00:11:36,240 --> 00:11:38,810 These are brave, powerful warriors, 228 00:11:38,810 --> 00:11:41,050 and now they have the best equipment anywhere in the world 229 00:11:41,050 --> 00:11:43,030 and it's not even close. 230 00:11:43,030 --> 00:11:45,860 Just weeks ago, U.S. special forces 231 00:11:45,860 --> 00:11:49,610 brought the world's most wanted terrorist to justice. 232 00:11:49,610 --> 00:11:52,280 The monstrous animal known as al-Baghdadi, 233 00:11:52,280 --> 00:11:55,530 the founder and leader of ISIS is dead 234 00:11:55,530 --> 00:11:59,810 and his second was just given the post 235 00:11:59,810 --> 00:12:03,256 of being in charge and he is also dead. 236 00:12:03,256 --> 00:12:06,256 (audience cheering) 237 00:12:10,560 --> 00:12:13,790 Within three years of record military investment, 238 00:12:13,790 --> 00:12:18,350 our country has rejected a future of American decline 239 00:12:18,350 --> 00:12:22,480 and embraced our destiny of American dominance. 240 00:12:22,480 --> 00:12:24,810 Our military is now dominant, 241 00:12:24,810 --> 00:12:28,400 far ahead of any of our competitors. 242 00:12:28,400 --> 00:12:33,400 And if you saw where we started from not so long ago, 243 00:12:33,620 --> 00:12:34,690 you'd really be amazed. 244 00:12:34,690 --> 00:12:35,820 I want to thank everybody, 245 00:12:35,820 --> 00:12:38,850 but I want to also thank those great companies 246 00:12:38,850 --> 00:12:43,270 that really designed, made this equipment 247 00:12:43,270 --> 00:12:46,330 because I have seen it and I've seen much of it in action, 248 00:12:46,330 --> 00:12:49,630 and I've frankly never seen anything like it in my life. 249 00:12:49,630 --> 00:12:51,840 So I just want to congratulate you all 250 00:12:51,840 --> 00:12:54,330 'cause together we are protecting our people, 251 00:12:54,330 --> 00:12:56,410 our values, our traditions, 252 00:12:56,410 --> 00:12:59,463 and our glorious American flag. 253 00:13:01,565 --> 00:13:04,565 (audience clapping) 254 00:13:07,750 --> 00:13:10,180 I want to just end by wishing 255 00:13:10,180 --> 00:13:13,300 our Armed Forces, our great people, 256 00:13:13,300 --> 00:13:16,760 a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. 257 00:13:16,760 --> 00:13:19,490 God bless you, God bless our military, 258 00:13:19,490 --> 00:13:22,480 and God bless America. 259 00:13:22,480 --> 00:13:23,573 God bless America. 260 00:13:23,573 --> 00:13:26,573 (audience cheering) 261 00:13:27,510 --> 00:13:30,820 So it's now my honor to sign 262 00:13:30,820 --> 00:13:35,820 the 2020 National Defense Authorization Act into law 263 00:13:37,720 --> 00:13:39,330 and, again, congratulations. 264 00:13:39,330 --> 00:13:40,410 Thank you all very much. 265 00:13:40,410 --> 00:13:41,840 Very, very special people. 266 00:13:41,840 --> 00:13:43,240 Thank you very much. 267 00:13:43,240 --> 00:13:45,434 (audience cheering) 268 00:13:45,434 --> 00:13:47,101 Thank you everybody.