Arlington Cemetery, Memorial Day, 2025

Donald Trump, Memorial Day, 2025:

During a Monday speech at Arlington National Cemetery, Trump spoke about the "American heroes and their immense and ultimate sacrifices" before bragging about his own good fortune.

"250 years, we're going to have a big, big celebration, as you know, 250 years," the president said of a military parade on his birthday. "In some ways, I'm glad I missed that second term where it was, because I wouldn't be your president for that, most important of all."

"In addition, we have the World Cup and we have the Olympics," he continued. "Can you imagine? I missed that four years, and now look what I have. I have everything. Amazing the way things work out. God did that."

Trump said he wanted to take "credit" for the 250th anniversary of the Army, but crowed about two other events instead.

"You know, I got the World Cup and I got the Olympics," he remarked. "And I said, boy, it's too bad. I won't be president then. And look what happened. I turned out, and we're going to have a great time."

"But most important of all is the 250th anniversary," the commander-in-chief added. "That blows everything away, including the World Cup and including the Olympics, as far as I'm concerned."

Jeremiah, 7th century B.C.E.

 Woe to him who says,

"I shall build myself a spacious palace

with airy roof chambers and

windows set in it.

It will be paneled with cedar

and painted with vermilion."

Though your cedar is so splendid,

does that prove you a king?

Think of your father: he ate and drank,

dealt justly and fairly; all went well with him.

He upheld the cause of the lowly and poor;

then all was well.

Did not this show he knew me? says the Lord.

But your eyes and your heart are set on naught but gain, set only on the innocent blood you can shed,

on the cruel acts of tyranny you perpetrate.

Jeremiah 22: 14-17 (REB)

Micah, 7th century B.C.E.

With what shall I come before the Lord

    and bow down before the exalted God?

Shall I come before him with burnt offerings,

    with calves a year old?

7 Will the Lord be pleased with thousands of rams,

    with ten thousand rivers of olive oil?

Shall I offer my firstborn for my transgression,

    the fruit of my body for the sin of my soul?

8 He has shown you, O mortal, what is good.

    And what does the Lord require of you?

To act justly and to love mercy

    and to walk humbly with your God.

Micah 6:6-8

The word of the Lord.

We've been down this road once or twice before.