Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth to Travel to Fort Bragg, North Carol
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Pres. Trump heads to Fort Bragg, NC
President Donald Trump is kicking off the celebration of the Army’s 250th birthday with a trip to North Carolina. The White House says during their visit the President and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth will, “honor the courageous warriors ready to defend liberty”
President Trump officially celebrates the U.S. Army’s 250th birthday on Saturday with a military parade in the nation’s capital. Tuesday he kicks off that celebration with a visit to Fort Bragg.
Fort Bragg in Fayetteville, North Carolina, is home to approximately 57,000 military personnel, including the 82nd Airborne Division. The White House says during their visit the President and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth will, “honor the courageous warriors ready to defend liberty at a moment’s notice and recognize their enduring commitment to America’s security and values.”
Live military demonstrations, musical performances and remarks from senior military leaders will all take place during the event which gets underway late Tuesday afternoon.
Fort Bragg was originally named after a Confederate General Braxton Bragg. But Congress ordered a name change to Fort Liberty two years ago. Five months ago Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth changed the name back to Fort Bragg – this time to honor World War II paratrooper Roland Bragg.
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Trump to celebrate U.S. Forces at public event in NC ahead of military parade
President Donald Trump plans to visit Fort Bragg Tuesday for a celebration of “the strength and selflessness of U.S. forces” The event is part of the 250th anniversary of the Army. It is intended to be a lead-up to a larger celebration for the Army’s 250th Anniversary on Saturday, which happens to fall on Trump’s birthday. Trump is a frequent visitor of North Carolina, having held more than 50 campaign stops in the state. He made his first official trip in his second term to Asheville to see the damage sustained from Helene, a hurricane that made landfall in Florida as a Category 4 storm and tore up the East Coast. The base became one of Trump’S focuses during his reelection campaign after his predecessor, President Joe Biden, renamed the base Fort Liberty in 2023.
Former President Donald Trump, the Republican presidential nominee, soaks up applause from his supporters as he arrives for a rally on Wednesday, October 30, 2024 at the Rocky Mount Event Center in Rocky Mount, N.C. rwillett@newsobserver.com
President Donald Trump plans to visit Fort Bragg Tuesday for a celebration of “the strength and selflessness of U.S. forces” as part of the 250th anniversary of the Army.
The event is open to the public.
The announcement came from the U.S. Semiquincentennial Commission, charged by Congress with planning celebrations for the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence.
“Americans will gather at Fort Bragg — home to the most elite military in the world — to celebrate the unmatched strength, sacrifice and accomplishments of the men and women who defend our nation,” a news release stated. “This special event will honor the courageous warriors ready to defend liberty at a moment’s notice and recognize their enduring commitment to America’s security and values.”
Along with Trump, Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth and Secretary of the Army Dan Driscoll, who is a North Carolina native, will attend Tuesday’s event.
The commission plans to honor past and present service members and include live demonstrations to showcase the operational capabilities of the military. Patriotic musical performances will also take place.
The event is intended to be a lead-up to a larger celebration for the Army’s 250th Anniversary on Saturday, which happens to fall on Trump’s birthday.
In Washington, on Saturday, the commission plans for a day of events that concludes with an evening military parade down Constitution Avenue and a fireworks show.
Fort Bragg
Fort Bragg is the largest U.S. military installation, based on population, in the world and is home to the Airborne and Special Operations Forces.
“This base is not only a symbol of military excellence but also a living legacy of courage, discipline, and the will to win,” the news release stated.
The base became one of Trump’s focuses during his reelection campaign after his predecessor, President Joe Biden, renamed the base Fort Liberty in 2023. Biden’s decision stemmed from his desire not to honor a Confederate leader, Gen. Braxton Bragg, whom the base was named for in 1918.
Trump vowed throughout his campaign to restore the name to Bragg once he was president.
Shortly after Hegseth’s confirmation as defense secretary, he signed an order restoring the name, but this time, honoring Pfc. Roland L. Bragg, a soldier stationed at Fort Bragg during World War II.
Bragg is a Silver Star and Purple Heart recipient for wounds he sustained and for saving the life of a fellow soldier.
Trump in North Carolina
Trump is a frequent visitor of North Carolina, having held more than 50 campaign stops in the state. He made his first official trip in his second term to Asheville to see the damage sustained from Helene, a hurricane that made landfall in Florida as a Category 4 storm and tore up the East Coast, killing at least 107 people in North Carolina.
Trump’s second trip falls just two days after the conclusion of the North Carolina Republican Party’s convention that begins Thursday in Greensboro.
It also falls one week after Sen. Thom Tillis, a Republican from Huntersville, announced he hired three of Trump’s campaign officials: Tony Fabrizio, Tim Saler and Jim McCray to help run his reelection campaign. Republicans are determined to hold on to Tillis’ Senate seat in the midterms, as the party tries to keep the majority.
This story was originally published June 4, 2025 at 3:34 PM.
President Trump will kick off Army’s 250th birthday celebration Tuesday at Fort Bragg
President Trump will kick off Army’s 250th birthday celebration Tuesday at Fort Bragg. While there, all units at the post will conduct a readiness demonstration for Trump. Trump supporters say the president’s visit to the home of the Airborne is a historic moment. The Army’s milestone anniversary will be celebrated nationwide with major events planned, including a grand parade on the National Mall in Washington, D.C., on June 14. Anyone can learn more about how to get a visitor’s pass on the Army website on the post’s website. The installation said people don’t need real IDs for visitors’ badges, but they will need other official forms of identification, such as driver’s licenses, passports, and birth certificates. The two leaders will also meet with soldiers and military families, and observe training and activities, and will also talk to soldiers and their families about the Army’s history. “We’re also going to rebuild our military. President Trump is committed to historic investments inside our formations,” defense secretary says.
On Tuesday, all units on the post will be giving President Trump a readiness demonstration.
On Tuesday, all units on the post will be giving President Trump a readiness demonstration.
On Tuesday, all units on the post will be giving President Trump a readiness demonstration.
On Tuesday, all units on the post will be giving President Trump a readiness demonstration.
FORT BRAGG, N.C. (WTVD) — President Donald Trump is set to visit North Carolina this week, marking his second official trip to the state since beginning his second term.
He will travel to Fort Bragg, the nation’s largest military installation, to kick off celebrations for the U.S. Army’s 250th birthday, the Department of Defense confirmed. While there, all units at the post will conduct a readiness demonstration for Trump.
Trump’s visit is drumming up a lot of excitement. Trump supporters told ABC11 that the president’s move to begin the Army’s 250th birthday celebrations at Fort Bragg sends a special message to servicemembers.
“I think that they have a level of importance and that he wants to, I guess, thank them for their support and service to the Army,” said Peter Pappas, the co-founder of the Republican Candidate Resource Center.
Laura Mussler, also a founder of the Republican Candidate Resource Center, added: “I agree wholeheartedly. North Carolina is important to President Trump, and that’s why he’s coming here.”
Law enforcement agencies in the area, including Fayetteville police, said they are engaged with Fort Bragg and the Secret Service to provide extra security for Trump’s visit. Community members also said they are coordinating with one another to help people prepare for the All American Gate’s security checkpoint.
Not everyone is excited about Trump’s visit — a protest is planned Saturday at Cross Creek Linear Park. Still, Trump supporters said the president’s visit to the home of the Airborne is a historic moment.
“That’s what Fort Bragg is known as — the center of the universe — and it is,” said Bruce Sykes, the chairman of the Cumberland County GOP. “That’s how we look at it, so. We’re very proud that the president has to pick Fort Bragg for the 250th Anniversary.”
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth visited Fort Bragg last month for All American Week. He addressed a massive formation of paratroopers that represented the 17,000 paratroopers in the 82nd Airborne Division.
Hegseth touched on the renaming of the post and announced an increase in jump pay for paratroopers, reaffirming the administration’s commitment to our soldiers.
“We’re also going to rebuild our military. President Trump is committed to historic investments inside our formations,” Hegseth said. “Our promise to you is that when the 82nd Airborne is deployed. If we have to call 911 for America’s response force, you will be equipped better than any other fighting force in the world.”
Pete Hegseth said the Department of Defense would be increasing jump pay for paratroopers and an extra bump in pay for jump masters.
Hegseth will also be at Fort Bragg on Tuesday, accompanying Trump as part of the celebrations.
The two leaders will also meet with soldiers and military families, and observe training and activities.
The installation said people don’t need real IDs for visitors’ badges, but they will need other official forms of identification, such as driver’s licenses, passports, and birth certificates. Anyone can learn more about how to get a visitor’s pass on the Army website.
The Army’s milestone anniversary will be celebrated nationwide with major events planned, including a grand parade on the National Mall in Washington, D.C., on June 14, the Army’s official birthday, and coincidentally, Trump’s birthday as well.
Tanks and aircraft will travel to DC for the parade, along with 6,600 soldiers. Hundreds of them will be coming from Fort Bragg, with officials telling ABC11 that they’re excited to be part of the big day.
“So our division, like all the divisions, looks forward to celebrating and playing our role,” Commanding General Maj. Gen. James Patrick Work, 82nd Airborne Division, said. “We’ll put our paratroopers on display anywhere, and we’re going to go big as an Army this year in Washington, D.C. We’re going to play our role. We’re looking forward to it.”
ABC11’s Sydnee Scofield contributed to this report.
President Trump coming to North Carolina this week: Here’s where
President Donald Trump will visit Fort Bragg on Tuesday, June 10. He will be joined by Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth and Secretary of the Army Dan Driscoll. The event will celebrate past and present service members, live military demonstrations and remarks from senior military leaders. The fort originally opened as “Camp Bragg” in September 1918. It was named after North Carolina native Braxton Bragg, who was a Confederate general and previously gained fame as a U.S. military hero during the Mexican-American War. The name “Fort Liberty” became official in 2023, but it was renamed back to Bragg a couple years later.
Trump will be joined by Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth and Secretary of the Army Dan Driscoll when he appears at Fort Bragg on Tuesday, June 10.
A news release said his appearance at the North Carolina military base “will honor the courageous warriors ready to defend liberty at a moment’s notice and recognize their enduring commitment to America’s security and values.”
The event will celebrate past and present service members, live military demonstrations, musical performances and remarks from senior military leaders.
Doors open to the public at 10 a.m. with the celebration set to start at 4 p.m. Information on how to register can be found here.
Trump’s June 10 visit to the Tar Heel State will be at least his second since he retook office earlier this year. He came to Helene-ravaged western North Carolina just four days after his inauguration in January.
Also soon after Trump’s inauguration came the renaming of Fort Bragg in mid-February. Hegseth signed a memorandum on Feb. 10 that ordered the name of the base be changed back to Fort Bragg, just a couple years after it was renamed Fort Liberty.
FILE PHOTO — President Trump will attend a 250th birthday celebration for the U.S. Army at Fort Bragg on June 10, 2025. (AP)
History of Fort Bragg
While the base has returned to its former name, the person it was renamed for is not the same.
The fort originally opened as “Camp Bragg” in September 1918. It was named after North Carolina native Braxton Bragg, who was a Confederate general and previously gained fame as a U.S. military hero during the Mexican-American War.
Camp Bragg became Fort Bragg in 1922, and a century later, became Fort Liberty after Congress passed an act in 2021 that ordered the Department of Defense to remove all names, symbols, displays, monuments and paraphernalia that honored anyone affiliated with the Confederate States of America. The name “Fort Liberty” became official in 2023.
Now, just a couple years later, the base is once again known as Fort Bragg. This time, though, the name honors Pfc. Roland L. Bragg, who earned the Silver Star and Purple Heart for his actions during the Battle of the Bulge in World War II.
In a news release, the Department of Defense said the most recent name change “underscores the installation’s legacy of recognizing those who have demonstrated extraordinary service and sacrifice for the nation.”
According to the base’s website, Fort Bragg has approximately 57,000 military personnel, 11,000 civilian employees and 23,000 family members — numbers that make it one of the largest military complexes in the world.
Fort Bragg is home to several units, including the 82nd Airborne Division.
Also Read: Historic US Army base in North Carolina has name changed back
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Trump to visit Fort Bragg Tuesday for Army celebration
Trump will join service members, military families and the public to honor those in the oldest branch of the U.S. armed forces. The Army was established June 14, 1775. The event will include military demonstrations and remarks by senior leaders.
Trump will join service members, military families and the public to honor those in the oldest branch of U.S. armed forces, according to a news release Friday. The event will include military demonstrations and remarks by senior leaders.
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and Secretary of the Army Dan Driscoll, a North Carolina native, will accompany Trump.
The Army on Saturday begins a weeklong series of celebratory events that conclude June 14 with a parade and festivities in Washington, D.C. The Army was established June 14, 1775.
Trump was in North Carolina earlier this year to survey Hurricane Helene recovery efforts.
Hegseth was at the nation’s largest Army base last month to mark the 82nd Airborne Division’s All-American Week, where he announced a pay raise for paratroopers and for expert paratroopers known as jumpmasters.