Trump Celebrates the Navy’s 250th Anniversary in the Midst of the Shutdown

US President Donald Trump visits the USS George H.W. Bush aircraft carrier which is out at sea near Norfolk, Virginia, October 5, 2025, as he travels to see a Naval demonstration as part of the US Navy’s 250th anniversary celebration, “America’s Navy 250: Titans of the Sea – A Salute to the Fleet”. (Photo by SAUL LOEB / AFP) (Photo by SAUL LOEB/AFP via Getty Images)

NORFOLK, Va. (AP) — President Donald Trump is marking the Navy’s 250th anniversary by joining a celebration at Naval Station Norfolk in Virginia. His appearance Sunday comes in the midst of the government shutdown. After his arrival in Norfolk, Trump went to the USS George H. W. Bush and spoke to the sailors and handed out challenge coins. The president and first lady Melania Trump watched a military demonstration while standing on the deck the aircraft carrier. Navy destroyers launched missiles and fired shells into the Atlantic Ocean, Navy SEALs descended from helicopters and fighter jets catapulted off.