President Donald Trump spoke before Congress on Tuesday night, giving a speech that often highlighted many of his accomplishments from the first six weeks of his second term. While listing his political triumphs, the president also took time to acknowledge a high school senior who was in the crowd and informed him that he had been accepted into the U.S. Military Academy.
Trump surprised Jason Hartley with the news that he was admitted into West Point. Hartley, the son of a late Los Angeles County sheriff’s deputy, has a long lineage of family members who served in uniform, a fact Trump highlighted during his speech before letting Hartley know of the news of his acceptance. It had been his dream to get into the school.
“Jason tragically lost his dad, who was also a Los Angeles County sheriff’s deputy, when he was just a boy. And now he wants to carry on the family legacy of service,” Trump said. “Jason is a senior in high school, a six-letter varsity athlete…a brilliant student with a 4.46 GPA, that’s good, and his greatest dream is to attend the U.S. Military Academy at West Point.”
“Jason, that is a very big deal getting in, Trump said before surprising Hartley with the news. “That’s a hard one to get into. But I’m pleased to inform you your application has been accepted. You’ll soon be joining the cadets.”
The crowd erupted into thunderous applause as Hartley was hugged and high-fived by those sitting near him. Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth gave Hartley a thumbs-up from his seat. The president applauded and congratulated him once more.
“Jason, you’re going to be on the long gray line,” Trump said, a monicker used for cadets at West Point.
