Trump Makes 13-Year-Old DJ Daniel’s Dream Come True
Meet DJ Daniel, a 13-year-old boy who wishes to become a police officer but was diagnosed with brain cancer in 2018.
In President Trump’s address to a joint session of Congress on Tuesday night, he fulfilled one of DJ’s dreams, designating him as our nation’s newest member of the U.S. Secret Service.
“In 2018, DJ was diagnosed with brain cancer,” the president recounted. “The doctors gave him five months, at most, to live. That was more than six years ago.”
“Since that time, DJ and his dad have been on a quest to make his dream come true. DJ has been sworn in as an honorary law enforcement officer, actually a number of times. The police love him; police departments love him,” the president said, before declaring,
Upon the president’s announcement, DJ’s eyes grew wide as Director Curran promptly presented him with his new Secret Service badge. The 13-year-old’s father then proudly held him up to extended applause before DJ leaned over and gave Director Curran a big hug. Chants of “DJ” loudly broke out in the House chamber.
You can watch the heartwarming moment below (beware, you might become slightly verklempt):
Minutes later, President Trump formally accepted high school senior Jason Hartley into West Point, making him a fourth-generation member of the U.S. military. Jason’s father, grandfather and great-grandfather all served our country in uniform. His father, who worked as a Los Angeles County sheriff’s deputy, passed away in August 2018.
Speaking about West Point, the president jested, “That’s a hard one to get into.”
“But,” the president told Jason, “I am pleased to inform you that your application has been accepted.”
In another uplifting moment, DJ ran up behind Jason, tapped him on the shoulder, and gave him a high five. You can watch that special moment below:
DJ further explained his story in a short video posted by the White House on X.
“I’m gonna keep on going until my gas tank runs out. And that’s when God calls you home,” he says. “You never know when God’s gonna call you home.”
Last night’s commendations and highlights featured some of the best of America. DJ’s bravery in fighting cancer and desire to be in law enforcement, and Jason’s aspiration to serve our country reminds us that our nation is filled with remarkable people.
Americans are at our best when we take care of our families and each other, sacrifice for one another and love each another as fellow countrymen.
In a speech from October 1986, the late Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia spoke about what makes an American.
“Like an intricate tapestry, the fabric of our society is made up of many different threads that run in different directions, but all meet one another to form the whole,” the justice said, adding,
Indeed, our national motto is “E pluribus, unum,” or “Out of many, one.” Notwithstanding our different cultural backgrounds, ethnicities, and religious beliefs, together we form one American people, sharing the same laws, history, government and great American story.
Yet, we can’t speak intelligently about America without recognizing that – despite our tolerance of various religions and backgrounds – America was undeniably formed as a product of Judeo-Christian beliefs.
In 1892, the U.S. Supreme Court issued an opinion in Church of the Holy Trinity v. United States. It chronicled the many ways in which Christianity has formed and shaped our nation.
“We are a Christian people, and the morality of the country is deeply engrafted upon Christianity,” the court opined. “These, and many other matters which might be noticed, add a volume of unofficial declarations to the mass of organic utterances that this is a Christian nation.”
Americans are a common people with shared beliefs and values because of our uniquely Christian history. Yes, religion – particularly Christianity – is an indispensable element of our past and is a necessary ingredient for a flourishing future.
As President George Washington wrote in his Farewell Address,
Congratulations to DJ and Jason on their well-deserved accolades and recognitions last night. Please join us in praying for DJ’s healing, and Jason’s success and protection in serving our nation.
To speak with a family help specialist or request resources, please call us at 1-800-A-FAMILY (232-6459).
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C.S. Lewis and Answers to the Problem of Pain
Photo from Getty Images.
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