By — News Desk News Desk By — Associated Press Associated Press Leave your feedback Share Copy URL https://www.pbs.org/newshour/politics/watch-live-vance-delivers-u-s-air-force-academy-commencement-address Email Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Pinterest Tumblr Share on Facebook Share on Twitter WATCH LIVE: Vance delivers U.S. Air Force Academy commencement address Politics May 28, 2026 9:28 AM EDT Vice President JD Vance is set to speak Thursday at the commencement ceremony for the U.S. Air Force Academy's class of 2026. Watch the event live in the video player above. The president and vice president traditionally speak at one of the military service academies every year. President Donald Trump delivered the commencement address at the U.S. Coast Guard Academy last week. WATCH: Trump delivers U.S. Coast Guard Academy commencement address Trump's remarks were the first time he had given a commencement address at one of the nation's military academies after sending U.S. troops to fight a new war. Educate your inbox Subscribe to Here’s the Deal, our politics newsletter for analysis you won’t find anywhere else. Enter your email address Subscribe Form error message goes here. Thank you. Please check your inbox to confirm. He told the cadets that they will be America's "first defenders" and "first responders." "You've all been tested. You'll be tested further and probably at higher levels as your career goes on," Trump said. A free press is a cornerstone of a healthy democracy. Support trusted journalism and civil dialogue. Donate now By — News Desk News Desk By — Associated Press Associated Press
Vice President JD Vance is set to speak Thursday at the commencement ceremony for the U.S. Air Force Academy's class of 2026. Watch the event live in the video player above. The president and vice president traditionally speak at one of the military service academies every year. President Donald Trump delivered the commencement address at the U.S. Coast Guard Academy last week. WATCH: Trump delivers U.S. Coast Guard Academy commencement address Trump's remarks were the first time he had given a commencement address at one of the nation's military academies after sending U.S. troops to fight a new war. Educate your inbox Subscribe to Here’s the Deal, our politics newsletter for analysis you won’t find anywhere else. Enter your email address Subscribe Form error message goes here. Thank you. Please check your inbox to confirm. He told the cadets that they will be America's "first defenders" and "first responders." "You've all been tested. You'll be tested further and probably at higher levels as your career goes on," Trump said. A free press is a cornerstone of a healthy democracy. Support trusted journalism and civil dialogue. Donate now