Administration of Donald J. Trump, 2026
Remarks and an Exchange With Reporters Prior to Departure From Joint Base Andrews, Maryland
July 22, 2026
Q. Good morning, Mr. President.
The President. We're going to Dover—I guess some of you are going with us—to honor our heroes, and they are, indeed, great heroes, actually.
They said in the—all of them said very strongly, "We can't let—we cannot let Iran have a nuclear weapon." They won't have a nuclear weapon.
So we're going to honor them. And one of the hardest things to do. For me, it's one of the hardest things to do as a President. But has to be done.
Dignified Transfer of Remains at Dover Air Force Base, Delaware/U.S. Servicemembers Killed in Iranian Attacks on Muwaffaq Salti Air Base in Jordan and Erbil Air Base, Iraq
Q. As we—as we go to honor these soldiers, do you have an update on the investigation as to how they were killed in Jordan?
The President. No, they're doing that. That will be released. They're——
Q. There was a report——
The President. You know what——
Q. ——that it was Iran targeting barracks.
The President. I don't know. Well, they're going to pay a big price. They're getting——
Q. Sir——
The President. They're getting—they're being decimated.
Q. Is that report——
The President. Yes, please.
Q. ——inaccurate, sir?
U.S. Military Operations in Iran
Q. Sir, what do you say to the families of these fallen soldiers when Americans are—[inaudible]—against this war? How do you ask them to accept their relatives——
The President. Well, Americans aren't against the war. The—a poll——
Q. Polling says they are, sir.
The President. ——a poll just came out. Americans don't want high gasoline prices, but they're not against the war. That just came out loud and clear in a poll.
Q. Sir, what is your——
The President. Nobody wants Iran to have a nuclear weapon. Do you want Iran to have a nuclear weapon? You think it's good?
Go ahead.
Dignified Transfer of Remains at Dover Air Force Base, Delaware
Q. Sir, what is your—you will speak to the families. What will you say to them today?
The President. All I'm going to say is: We love you; we love your child, and that's what they are to them. They're their children. There's no games, no nothing. That's their child. And all you can do is throw out your heart.
Thank you. Thank you very much. [Several reporters spoke at once.]
Q. What's the point of negotiating with them anymore?
NOTE: The President spoke at 9:49 a.m. on the tarmac prior to boarding Air Force One en route to Dover Air Force Base, DE. In his remarks, he referred to Pvt. Isabella Gonzales, USA, 1st Lt.
Tyler J. Feehan, USA, and Sgt. Angel S. Rampersad, USA, who were killed in an Iranian attack on Muwaffaq Salti Air Base, Jordan, on July 17; and Sgt. Michael E. Swinton, USA, who was killed during a controlled detonation of a downed one-way unmanned aerial system at Erbil Air Base, Iraq, on July 19.
Categories: Interviews With the News Media : Exchanges with reporters, Joint Base Andrews, MD.
Locations: Joint Base Andrews, MD.
Names: Feehan, Tyler J.; Gonzales, Isabella; Rampersad, Angel S.; Swinton, Michael E.
Subjects: Gasoline costs; Iran, U.S. military operations; Iraq, death of U.S. servicemember at Erbil Air Base, Iraq; Jordan, death of U.S. servicemember at Muwaffaq Salti Air Base; Maryland, Joint Base Andrews; Maryland, President's visit; Military families; News media, Presidential interviews; U.S. servicemembers, service and dedication.
DCPD Number: DCPD202600484.