by Sharon Rondeau
(Mar. 2, 2026) — At 11:50 a.m. EST Monday, President Trump opened a Congressional Medal of Honor ceremony with an update on “Operation Epic Fury” launched early Saturday morning against the Iranian regime.
Trump said the “colossal threat” of an Iran with nuclear weapons could not be contemplated. “For almost 47 years, this regime has been attacking” American interests, soldiers and allies, he said. “This was our last best chance to strike and eliminate the intolerable threats by this sick and sinister regime…”
Israel is partnering with the U.S. in targeting Iranian military sites and leadership.
On Saturday afternoon Trump reported “Supreme Leader” Ayatollah Ali Khamenei dead. According to an Israeli security representative via Fox News, approximately 40 other regime officials were killed as of Saturday.
The “deal” his administration was attempting to forge with Iran was not materializing, Trump said, leaving “the right way” the only option to deal with the theocracy which has been seeking nuclear weapons for years.
He said the U.S. “warned” Iran not to continue its nuclear program but was ignored.
Iran has fired missiles into the neighboring countries of Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates, Israel and Qatar.
Trump thanked the American military for its work and expressed his condolences to the families of the four Americans who have died since the engagement began.
Ten Iranian ships have been destroyed, he said, up from nine on Sunday.
On a brief note of levity, he shifted to the sounds of construction workers building the new ballroom he has personally helped to fund, stating he “loves” the sound but his wife Melania does not.
The ceremony to award the Congressional Medal of Honor to three servicemembers then commenced. Two are deceased, Trump announced, asking their family members to stand.
From his administration he recognized Chairman of the Joint Chiefs Dan “Razin” Caine, Secretary of War Pete Hegseth, Secretary of Veterans Affairs Doug Collins, and Border Czar Tom Homan as well as a number of congressmen and senators.
Trump also recognized four past recipients of the award in attendance.
He told the story of Master Sgt. Roderick (Roddie) W. Edmonds (deceased) of Knoxville, TN, a World War II veteran, was captured by the Nazi and led Jews to defy them. “We are all Jews today,” Trump quoted Edmonds as having said while staring down the enemy. Edmonds died in 1985, and his son stood to receive the recognition and later, the award.
A second soldier, Staff Sgt. Terry P. Richardson (Ret) of Michigan, ruptured both eardrums and suffered extreme injuries to his right leg and foot in Vietnam, Trump narrated. He sustained a gunshot wound and is credited with saving 85 American soldiers by his actions.
Trump asked Richardson’s two sons to stand.
Richardson received his award in full uniform.
Staff Sgt. Michael H. Ollis of Staten Island lost his life in Afghanistan as he shielded U.S. soldiers and a Polish soldier, whose life he saved, from exploding IEDs with virtually no self-protection, Trump recounted.
Ollis was 24.
Trump prompted the Polish soldier, who was in attendance, to stand and approach the podium.
Though brief, he said his “second family” is on Staten Island and thanked American soldiers for their service.
His son, Michael, Trump said, was named after “the man who saved his father’s life.” The boy looked to be approximately eight years old and smiled as he stood.
Sgt. Ollis’s parents were in attendance, Trump recognized, and thanked them for “giving America your beloved son.” They received the award in his place.
“Thank you all very much; this is a tremendous honor for me to be here,” Trump concluded his remarks. The awards were then bestowed on the servicemembers or their surviving family members.