JD Vance Boards USS Kearsarge in New York Harbor for Memorial Day Remarks
Vice President JD Vance delivered remarks aboard the USS Kearsarge in New York Harbor. Here's what he said and why it matters for DC's defense agenda.
In brief
Vice President JD Vance stepped onto the deck of the USS Kearsarge in New York Harbor and addressed sailors, officers, and veterans in an appearance that carried as much political symbolism as it did ceremonial weight. The White House released the remarks through its official communications office, framing the event as part of the Trump administration's ongoing effort to demonstrate visible, muscular support for the United States military.
KEY TAKEAWAYS
Vice President JD Vance delivered official remarks aboard the USS Kearsarge, a Wasp-class amphibious assault ship, anchored in New York Harbor.
The White House released the event through its official communications channel, signaling high-level institutional backing.
The appearance fits a pattern of Trump administration officials using military backdrops to reinforce defense and patriotism messaging.
New York Harbor Fleet Week provides an annual platform for senior officials to engage naval personnel and shape public perception of U.S. military strength.
From a DC power-dynamics lens, Vance's assignment to this event positions him as the administration's primary military-outreach surrogate heading into a critical legislative season on defense appropriations.
What Is the USS Kearsarge — and Why Does the Venue Matter?
The USS Kearsarge (LHD-3) is a Wasp-class amphibious assault ship operated by the United States Navy, capable of carrying Marines, helicopters, and Harrier jets. At roughly 844 feet long and displacing nearly 41,000 tons, she is not a subtle backdrop. Choosing Kearsarge — docked during New York's Fleet Week, one of the most photographed military events on the East Coast — was a deliberate staging decision.
Fleet Week New York draws hundreds of thousands of spectators to the Hudson River corridor each year, turning the harbor into a live demonstration of American naval power. For an administration that has consistently framed military strength as a core brand identity, placing the Vice President on that deck is a message delivered in steel and saltwater.
From Washington's vantage point, events like this rarely happen in a vacuum. The Pentagon, the National Security Council at the Eisenhower Executive Office Building, and the communications shop in the West Wing all coordinate on optics of this scale. When a Vice President travels to New York Harbor, the decision log runs through the Beltway first.
JD Vance and the Trump Administration's Military Messaging Strategy
Since taking office, Vice President JD Vance has emerged as one of the administration's most active surrogates on defense and foreign policy — a portfolio that has taken him to Munich for the Security Conference earlier in his term and now to the waterfront of lower Manhattan. His trajectory reflects a White House strategy of using Vance to engage audiences where toughness on defense and skepticism of multilateral institutions resonate simultaneously.
According to White House official communications, Vance's remarks were delivered in his capacity as Vice President, with the full institutional framing of that office behind them. That distinction matters in Washington: remarks delivered aboard a commissioned naval vessel carry a formality — and a news peg — that a ballroom speech simply cannot replicate.
The Trump administration has also been navigating a demanding defense appropriations cycle on Capitol Hill. Senate Armed Services Committee deliberations over the Pentagon's budget request and debates inside the House Armed Services Committee have made military visibility a legislative asset, not just a PR one. Vance appearing on Kearsarge sends a signal to defense hawks in both chambers that the White House is engaged and present. For deeper context on how DC's power structure shapes these moments, see our DC Politics Guide 2026.
Fleet Week New York: The Political Calculus Behind the Ceremony
Fleet Week New York, coordinated annually by the Naval Vessel Register and U.S. Naval Forces, brings warships from the Navy, Marine Corps, and Coast Guard to the Hudson River for public engagement and media access. In recent years, the event has drawn senior officials from both parties — it is one of the few remaining civic rituals that generates bipartisan photo opportunities and genuine public enthusiasm.
For the Trump administration, Fleet Week 2026 arrives at a moment when the White House has been pressing Congress to accelerate shipbuilding contracts and expand the Navy's surface fleet. Defense News has reported extensively on the Navy's goal of reaching a 355-ship fleet, a target that remains aspirational against current shipyard capacity and budget realities. Vance speaking from a deck like Kearsarge's puts a human face — and a Vice Presidential imprimatur — on those abstract procurement arguments.
It also positions Vance for a conversation that will move back to Washington quickly. The defense budget, veteran healthcare funding within the Department of Veterans Affairs, and the ongoing debate over military readiness are all live wires on the Hill. A Vice President who has visibly shown up for the fleet has more credibility in those rooms than one who has not.
Why This Matters in Washington
Inside the Beltway, a Vice President's schedule is a policy document. Every stop tells Congressional liaisons, agency heads, and foreign governments something about the administration's priorities. Vance choosing — or being assigned — the USS Kearsarge in New York Harbor communicates that the Trump White House views military optics as a durable political asset, not just an occasional talking point.
That calculation has downstream consequences for agencies headquartered across the DMV. The Department of Defense at the Pentagon in Arlington, the Department of Homeland Security overseeing Coast Guard operations, and defense contractors clustered in Northern Virginia's technology corridor all read these signals. When the Vice President stands on a flight deck, procurement officers, lobbyists, and appropriators listen for what comes next. Track the power players driving these decisions at our DC Power Players Index.
Washington's defense and intelligence community also watches how the Vice President handles the military audience itself — tone, deference to service members, command of policy specifics. Those assessments circulate through think tanks on Massachusetts Avenue, through retired officers now consulting on K Street, and through the editorial boards that shape how these moments are ultimately remembered. For rankings of who holds real influence in this city right now, the DC Political Influence Rankings remains the essential read.
Original Analysis: Vance as the Administration's Military-Outreach Surrogate
No Vice President operates in a vacuum, but Vance's portfolio of military-adjacent appearances has grown notably more concentrated heading into what promises to be a consequential legislative stretch. With defense appropriations, NATO burden-sharing debates, and shipbuilding investment all converging on Capitol Hill, the White House appears to be positioning Vance as its primary military-outreach surrogate — a role that historically carries significant influence with veteran communities and defense-oriented moderates in swing districts.
If that pattern holds, expect Vance's next major military appearance to arrive alongside a specific legislative ask — a budget resolution, a committee vote, or a contractor announcement that needs political air cover. That is how Washington actually works, and a Vice President's travel schedule is often the earliest tell.
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FAQ: JD Vance, the USS Kearsarge, and U.S. Military Engagement
Q: Where did JD Vance deliver remarks from the USS Kearsarge? A: Vice President JD Vance delivered remarks aboard the USS Kearsarge while the ship was docked in New York Harbor, New York, during Fleet Week activities. The White House released the remarks officially.
Q: What is the USS Kearsarge? A: The USS Kearsarge (LHD-3) is a Wasp-class amphibious assault ship in the United States Navy. It is designed to support Marine Corps amphibious operations and can carry helicopters, landing craft, and aircraft.
Q: Why did the Vice President speak at Fleet Week New York? A: Fleet Week New York is one of the largest public military engagement events on the East Coast, drawing significant media and public attention. Senior administration officials frequently use the event to demonstrate support for the military and reinforce defense messaging.
Q: What does Vance's appearance signal about Trump administration defense priorities? A: The appearance aligns with the administration's broader effort to show visible support for U.S. naval readiness, veteran communities, and expanded defense investment — all of which are active debates in the current Congressional appropriations cycle.
Q: How does this event connect to Washington DC's political dynamics? A: Defense appropriations, Pentagon budget negotiations, and veteran affairs policy are live issues on Capitol Hill. A high-profile Vice Presidential appearance at a military event generates political capital that can be deployed in legislative negotiations involving the Senate and House Armed Services Committees.
Q: Where can I find more on DC's power structure and defense politics? A: Washington DC Magazine's DC Politics Guide 2026 and the DC Power Index both cover the intersection of military policy, political influence, and Beltway power dynamics in depth.
The bottom line: Vice President JD Vance's appearance aboard the USS Kearsarge in New York Harbor was a White House-sanctioned military engagement event that carries real political weight. The choice of venue — a Navy warship during Fleet Week — amplifies the Trump administration's defense messaging at a moment when Pentagon budgets, shipbuilding goals, and veteran policy are all active on Capitol Hill. Watch for Vance's next military-adjacent appearance to arrive alongside a specific legislative ask. That is the Beltway pattern, and it rarely breaks.
What to Watch Next: Monitor the Senate Armed Services Committee markup schedule and any joint White House–Pentagon announcements on shipbuilding contracts in the weeks following this appearance. If Vance's Fleet Week moment is the setup, the policy ask is coming. Follow WDCM Politics and our Power Moves vertical for the latest.
Reporting drawn from: The White House (.gov). Washington DC Magazine provides original analysis, DC-specific context, and editorial perspective beyond the source material.This article was produced with AI assistance and reviewed by WDCM editorial staff. Washington DC Magazine is committed to accuracy, transparency, and editorial integrity. If you believe any information in this article requires correction, please contact editor@washingtondcmagazine.com.
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CAN I KICK IT? screens New Jack City at the Sylvan Theater, Washington Monument, on Aug. 22. (Courtesy SHAOLIN JAZZ)
The live-cinema series CAN I KICK IT? returns to the National Mall this month with what its producers are calling the "Gangsters on the Mall" chapter of their free outdoor summer run. On Saturday, August 22, the SHAOLIN JAZZ production brings the 1991 crime classic New Jack City to the Sylvan Theater at the Washington Monument for a night of film, music, and community under the DC summer sky.
What sets the event apart is the sound. As the film plays, DJ 2-Tone Jones builds an original score in real time, reimagining one of the most iconic crime movies of the ’90s through hip-hop, soul, funk, and more. It is less a movie screening than a live performance built around the film.
The details:
Film: New Jack City (1991), with a live soundtrack by DJ 2-Tone Jones
When: Saturday, August 22 — seating opens at 7:30 p.m. (bring lawn chairs and blankets); film begins at 8:30 p.m.
Where: Sylvan Theater at the Washington Monument, Independence Ave SW & 15th St NW
A parking note from the organizers: expect road closures and restricted parking east of 14th Street NW due to a separate race event in the District. Roads west of 14th Street NW will be accessible and available for parking.
New Jack City is the second of three screenings in this year’s free CAN I KICK IT? outdoor series, which opened with Black Panther at Skyland Town Center and concludes with Scarface at the Lincoln Memorial on September 5. Produced by the Washington, DC-based multimedia arts company SHAOLIN JAZZ, the series has presented more than 150 live cinematic experiences at venues across the country, from Lincoln Center to SXSW.
"I wanted to be able to tell good stories with substance and remove the ‘ego’ out of the art," said Andrew Huang during a recent interview. Now, he’s building his career at the intersection of discipline, creativity and innovation.
Andrew Huang, founder of New Place Studios. (Courtesy photo)
As a Chinese American, Huang was reared with a deep respect for hard work, consistency and excellence. He describes his childhood as "not so affluent" and later attended college to hone his passion for videography. "In college I tried to do something I loved, which was video, but along the way I knew that I had to find a job. And so I thought, ‘what was the low hanging fruit to get to that stable 9 to 5 job?,’" he stated.
Later in life, Huang found himself working for corporations where his creativity was often limited, eventually leading to burnout. "I worked in a corporation for a long time and there were a lot of missing pieces. I wanted to fill in gaps missing in corporate video production," said Huang.
He later described how his upbringing and a mindset of "survival" led him toward a corporate career. However, his desire for balance and authentic storytelling ultimately pushed him to take the entrepreneurial leap.
"I founded a new place where you can create video and film with ‘substance and style,’" said Huang. His desire for work-life balance and passion for storytelling naturally evolved into a small business based in Virginia. With the launch of New Place Studios, the entrepreneur quickly found himself reconnecting with the values that would become the foundation of everything he creates behind the camera.
Huang said being a business owner has allowed him to first embrace himself. While others may see video as simply capturing moments, he sees it as a way to preserve stories that inspire, connect and leave a lasting imprint.
By combining cinematic visuals with cutting-edge production techniques and a keen understanding of branding, Huang helps organizations and individuals communicate their vision with purpose. He said understanding a client’s "why" serves as the compass for delivering the services they need.
One benefit of working with a small business, he said, is that clients get to see the production process unfold through a micro lens while working with the same faces throughout the entire project. "The work feels personal," said Huang.
Huang does not regret leaving behind the flash-over-substance mentality and corporate hustle culture. That does not mean the Asian American entrepreneur has been without challenges in the industry. "It’s relatively hard to find other Asian American creatives or people who would want to work with me in the DMV," said Huang.
He identifies the industry culture in which everyone is trying to blend in, creatives may fear displaying their Asian identity and some feel pressure to adopt an American corporate persona. He also points to what he describes as a level of gatekeeping within the industry. According to the U.S. Small Business Administration’s 2024 statistics, Asian American and Pacific Islander entrepreneurs own more than 3 million businesses and employ 5.2 million people in the United States.
After tapping into organizations such as SCORE, which offers free small business mentorship, New Place Studios has become a trusted creative partner throughout the DMV (Washington, D.C., Maryland and Virginia). The company produces a range of creative services, including commercials, corporate branding, documentaries, film, 2D animation, motion graphics and photography.
For Huang, entrepreneurship has become more than a departure from corporate life. It has given him the freedom to create with intention, build meaningful connections and tell stories that go beyond the surface.
The 2026 CAN I KICK IT? outdoor series. Poster courtesy of SHAOLIN JAZZ.
For three Saturdays this summer, some of Washington’s most familiar public spaces will do something they rarely do after dark: fill up with blankets, lawn chairs, and the sound of a movie being scored live, in real time. CAN I KICK IT?, the traveling “live cinema” series produced by the DC-based multimedia arts company SHAOLIN JAZZ, is bringing a free outdoor run to the city — pairing three era-defining films with an original soundtrack performed on the spot by DJ 2-Tone Jones.
The premise is what sets it apart from a normal screening in the park. Rather than simply pressing play, 2-Tone Jones builds a score as the film unfolds, pulling from hip-hop, soul, funk, jazz, rock, electronic music, and sounds from around the world. The result, the organizers say, is less a movie night than a one-time performance — the same film you know, wired to a soundtrack you have never heard and will not hear again. Guest DJs warm up the crowd starting at 7:30 PM before each 8:30 PM screening.
The 2026 outdoor schedule
All three events are free and open to the public.
Saturday, August 8 — Black Panther at Skyland Town Center. A pop-up marketplace and community activities kick off the evening; guest DJs at 7:30 PM, film at 8:30 PM. Marvel’s superhero epic gets a one-night-only live score in Southeast DC.
Saturday, August 22 — New Jack City at the Sylvan Theater, Washington Monument. Seating begins at 7:30 PM; the film starts at 8:30 PM. The 1991 crime drama plays out at the foot of one of the country’s most recognizable landmarks.
Saturday, September 5 — Scarface at the Lincoln Memorial. Seating at 7:30 PM; film at 8:30 PM. The series closes with Brian De Palma’s crime saga against the backdrop of the Memorial, scored live from start to finish.
First up: Black Panther at Skyland Town Center on August 8. Poster courtesy of SHAOLIN JAZZ.
A DC company with a national footprint
SHAOLIN JAZZ describes itself as a Washington-based arts company working at the intersection of music, film, art, and culture, and CAN I KICK IT? is its signature production. According to the organizers, the series has staged more than 150 live cinematic experiences around the country — at performing arts centers, museums, festivals, and cultural institutions including Lincoln Center in New York, SXSW, the Denver Center for the Performing Arts, Republic Square in Austin, the Tacoma Armory, and The Cary Theater.
“CAN I KICK IT? has always been about creating a shared experience,” said Gerald Watson, co-founder of SHAOLIN JAZZ. “When you combine iconic films with live music in public spaces, something special happens. People aren’t just watching a movie — they’re experiencing it together. That’s what makes these nights so memorable.”
Cinema as a community event
The DC run lands as cities across the country look for new ways to activate public space through arts and culture — and this series is a straightforward pitch for how to do it: take a landmark everyone already knows, add a film everyone has an opinion about, and let a live soundtrack turn the evening into something neighbors experience shoulder to shoulder. Families, film buffs, and music fans are all invited, and admission won’t cost a thing.
The CAN I KICK IT? outdoor series runs August 8, August 22, and September 5. All events are free; check SHAOLIN JAZZ (shaolinjazz.com) for the latest details and any weather updates before heading out.
