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Two men who have served as the president of the United States participated in the 146th NGAUS General Conference & Exhibition in Detroit Monday.
Former President Donald Trump — the nation’s 45th commander in chief — addressed Guardsmen in-person at the Motor City’s Huntington Place Convention Center.
President Joe Biden — America’s 46th leader — didn’t visit Detroit but recorded a video.
"I’ve had no greater honor in life than serving then serving as your commander in chief," Trump told the audience.
"You are always ready and always there for us," the 2024 Republican presidential nominee continued. "You were always there for me. I’m always going to be there for you."
NGAUS invites the Democratic and Republican presidential nominees to the association’s conference during every White House race.
The association has hosted at least one candidate for the nation’s highest office from a major political party in the United States during every presidential election year since 1992.
Biden announced in July he would not seek reelection and would endorse Vice President Kamala Harris as his successor instead.
Harris accepted her party’s nomination for the presidency Aug. 22 during the Democratic National Convention in Chicago.
NGAUS invited Harris and Trump to this year’s conference before Trump ultimately visited Detroit Monday.
The conference is the association's annual business meeting, and more than 4,000 Guard officers, their spouses and other guests were registered to attend before Monday's agenda unfolded.
"The National Guard was built to defend America, and you’ve done that," Biden said in a video. "You have my word — my administration will always defend you as well."
Trump was introduced at the association’s conference by Kid Rock, a rock star who hails from Michigan.
Former Rep. Tulsi Gabbard, D-Hawaii, also endorsed Trump during Monday’s proceedings.
Gabbard served in the Hawaii Army National Guard before seeking the Democratic presidential nomination in 2020.
Trump revealed Monday that he supports establishing a Space National Guard as the primary combat reserve of the Space Force.
The Space Force was established in 2019 under Trump’s administration, and creating a Space Guard for the service has long been a NGAUS legislative priority.
"Now that Space Force is up and running, I agree with your leadership the time has come to create a Space National Guard as the combat reserve of the Space Force," Trump said. "As president, I will sign historic legislation creating a Space National Guard."
Retired Maj. Gen. Francis M. McGinn, the NGAUS president, said he is "grateful" for Trump’s pledge should the Republican be elected to another term as president.
"NGAUS has maintained for several years that a Space National Guard is the ideal supplement for the U.S. Space Force," he said. "We look forward to working with policymakers from both sides of the political aisle to accomplish this goal."
Trump also discussed military recruitment and retention, improving care for veterans and defense spending during his remarks.
For example, Trump vowed that Guardsmen would train on "the same state of the art equipment" as their active-duty counterparts.
The full video of Trump's remarks will be available soon through the association's YouTube page.
"America is blessed to have such extraordinary patriots," he said. "That’s the spirit of duty and loyalty that defines the National Guard."
— By Mark Hensch
