Trump tells new U.S. citizens they must protect liberty, law, and national culture at every naturalization ceremony.

New Message Played at All Naturalization Ceremonies

President Donald Trump has released a new video message to be played at every naturalization ceremony across the United States, calling on newly naturalized citizens to embrace and defend the American way of life. The video, first introduced this week, reflects the administration’s emphasis on assimilation and civic responsibility amid a tightening of immigration policy.

“Today you receive the greatest gift ever granted by human hands: you become a citizen of the United States of America,” Trump states in the video. He continues by welcoming each recipient into what he calls the American national family. “No matter where you come from, you now share a home and a heritage with some of the most exceptional heroes, legends and patriots to ever walk the face of the Earth.”

Trump’s message stands as both a greeting and a directive. “With this sacred honor comes the highest responsibility,” he says. “As you know, the American way of life is unique in all the world. And as Americans, we must fiercely guard it and defend it.”

The president outlines core values he believes form the foundation of American identity: hard work, meritocracy, equality of opportunity, and the rule of law. He stresses that liberty, free speech, religious freedom, and the right to bear arms are now the new citizens’ responsibilities to protect. “This special American culture is now yours to preserve. Your freedoms are now yours to protect,” he declares.

Emphasis on Legal Pathways and Cultural Stewardship

The video comes at a moment when legal immigration pathways are narrowing, and the stakes of naturalization are rising for those eligible. In 2024, over 800,000 individuals became U.S. citizens—an especially notable figure as Trump’s administration continues implementing stricter immigration enforcement policies. These include expanded border security operations, increased deportations, and heightened scrutiny of asylum claims.

The message also underscores a broader ideological distinction from the previous administration. Rather than simply celebrating immigration as an act of bravery or sacrifice, Trump’s message assigns a cultural and civic duty to legal immigrants: the preservation of the American way of life.

Over the past weekend, immigration enforcement actions led to widespread protests in Los Angeles. Some demonstrations turned violent, prompting federal authorities to deploy the National Guard. While these events reflect tensions around enforcement practices, the administration has drawn a clear distinction between legal immigrants who complete the naturalization process and those who attempt unauthorized entry.

Trump’s approach signals a shift not only in immigration policy but in the symbolism tied to American citizenship. Legal immigrants, according to the administration’s view, are not merely recipients of legal status but active defenders of national principles. The video’s message seeks to reinforce that role from the moment new citizens take the oath.

As it becomes a permanent fixture at ceremonies nationwide, the video reflects the administration’s goal of aligning legal immigration with civic integration—and signals a continuing effort to reshape the narrative around who gets to call themselves American, and why.