First Lady Melania Trump and Second Lady Usha Vance made their first joint appearance today at Camp Lejeune, the largest Marine Corps base on the East Coast. Security was tight as events were limited to pre-approved personnel who could show their base credentials. Considering Camp Lejeune security is better than that of our federal elections, this is of little surprise. The pair set out to meet with and offer support to active duty service members and their families ahead of the holidays.
Camp Lejeune has several irons in the fire in President Trump’s Operation Southern Spear. Starting in September, the U.S. military has been intent on disrupting drug cartel routes in the southern Caribbean Sea and Gulf of America. Many of those forces, plans, and intelligence run through Camp Lejeune. It only makes sense that Melania and Usha would want to spend time here.
On Nov. 15, at the direction of Secretary of War Pete Hegseth, Joint Task Force Southern Spear conducted a lethal kinetic strike on a vessel operated by a Designated Terrorist Organization. Intelligence confirmed that the vessel was involved in illicit narcotics smuggling,… pic.twitter.com/iM1PhIsroj
— U.S. Southern Command (@Southcom) November 16, 2025
While most Marines anticipated their deployments, there are a handful who were not expecting to spend the holiday season separated from their loved ones. This, however, is the nature of the Marine Corps; 24-hour notice is the only requirement. Other branches have their requirements, but the only one your humble correspondent is well-versed in is the USMC.
The ladies started their jam-packed day by preparing boxes for those deployed on ships between Puerto Rico and South America. Melania and Usha helped MEU (pronounced "mew," short for Marine Expeditionary Unit) spouses fill 2,000 care packages with snacks, hygiene items, and trinkets. In a few weeks, these parcels will reach the service members in time for Christmas.
#Marines with @22nd_MEU perform fighting techniques during a martial arts instructor’s course aboard Wasp-class amphibious assault ship USS Iwo Jima (LHD 7) while underway in the Caribbean Sea.
— U.S. Marines (@USMC) November 19, 2025
U.S. military forces are deployed to the Caribbean in support of the U.S. Southern… pic.twitter.com/LyTlZWOrRV
After making care packages and encouraging the spouses of the 22nd MEU, Mrs. Trump and Mrs. Vance went to Camp Lejeune's high school. Here, they spoke with students and educators about everything from artificial intelligence to social media. Both women champion education, both from a policy perspective and as parents. Given that these students will shape the future of our economy through AI and digital networks, it is more important than ever that they see their potential and understand that the leaders of the free world are cheering them on in their pursuits.
The duo also visited an elementary school on the base. Given that Usha is currently parenting small children and Melania has been focused on keeping children safe and well, the highlight of their day was almost certainly with the little kids. The First and Second Ladies also encouraged teachers, ensuring they felt supported.
Teaching military kids is tough, since they develop a tougher shell from years of leaving friends behind every few years, but it is even more challenging when a parent is deployed. From being a teacher of military kids and witnessing my own children at home, I can say that their tendencies to act out during a deployment signal a need for attention. The hole left by their deployed parent requires multiple inputs: parent, extended families, teachers, friends, parents' friends, and, in the case of Camp Lejeune kids, the First and Second Ladies of the United States.
It must be encouraging to the deployed Marines to know that, while they are away literally making the world a safer place for their children, their spouses and kids are being recognized by the Commander in Chief, the Vice President, and their wives — especially in the wake of Schumer's Shutdown.
If the last 40 days tell us anything about the radical-left Democrats, it's that they're willing to burn the country down just to get President Trump.
— JD Vance (@JDVance) November 14, 2025
Troops' salaries, SNAP Benefits, Air Traffic controllers – they don't care about the cost so long as it hurts Trump. pic.twitter.com/G5oLTOgsPA
During a deployment, there are already enough things to worry about. Buying groceries and paying rent should not be among them. But, thanks to the Democrats in Congress, thousands of families endured financial stress for close to six weeks. It is this shadow that makes this political visit even more important.
To close out the day, Melania and Usha gave brief remarks in a hangar, This was the closest thing to a "public" event that they had on the docket, but anyone in attendance had to be able to get on base first. Unfortunately, although this event was meant for military families, it was scheduled by non-military family experts. The ladies' final event conflicted with school dismissal. Anyone with school-aged kids had to be in either the carpool line or bus stop. Nevertheless, turnout was robust. Veterans, base staff, and USMC personnel took advantage of the opportunity to hear from Trump and Vance.
It is my sincere hope that these two women enjoyed their time at Camp Lejeune, a place I have twice called and currently consider home. As long as I'm lobbing hopes out there, maybe events for families could be scheduled at a time other than 3 p.m. in the future.
