Trump to give commencement address at Coast Guard Academy

GAGE SKIDMORE / CREATIVE COMMONS

President Donald J. Trump

Washington – President Donald Trump will return to Connecticut next month to give the commencement speech at the Coast Guard Academy in New London, said White House Press Secretary Sean Spicer on Wednesday.

The last time a president gave a commencement speech at the academy was in 2015, when former President Obama used the occasion to address the need for action on climate change.

The subject of Trump’s speech on May 17 is unknown.

“As we grow closer to that date, we will continue to provide updates,” Spicer said.

The president traditionally addresses the graduating class at one of the federal service academies on a rotating basis.

The academy said its 135th commencement exercises are scheduled to begin at 11 a.m. on Cadet Memorial Field.

“Every commencement is a special occasion, but it is particularly memorable when the president presents our future leaders with their commissions,” said Rear Adm. James E. Rendon, academy superintendent. “We are also grateful for the opportunity to highlight our Academy and our mission to develop leaders of character for the Coast Guard and the nation.”

Trump campaigned in Connecticut during the Republican presidential primary and came back to hold a rally at Sacred Heart University during the general election campaign. But he hasn’t returned to the state since then.