An official website of the United States government
A .mil website belongs to an official U.S. Department of Defense organization in the United States.
A lock (lock ) or https:// means you’ve safely connected to the .mil website. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites.

Press Release | May 8, 2025

Department of Homeland Security Secretary Noem will deliver keynote address at U.S. Coast Guard Academy Commencement

U.S. Coast Guard Academy

NEW LONDON, Conn. – U.S. Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem will deliver the keynote address during graduation ceremonies at the U.S. Coast Guard Academy on Wednesday, May 21. The Secretary will congratulate the cadets, the newest generation of Coast Guard leaders, on their hard work and dedication.

The 144th Commencement Exercises are scheduled to begin at 11:00 a.m. on Cadet Memorial Field.  This event is not open to the public. Inclement weather plans call for the ceremony to be held in Leamy Hall Auditorium, where seating will be limited.

“It will be an honor to speak at the United States Coast Guard Academy’s graduation ceremony and celebrate the class of 2025,” said Secretary Noem. “We will be welcoming these new officers at a critical moment in the history of the branch and our country. The Coast Guard plays a distinctive and irreplaceable role in securing our homeland, and that’s why President Trump and I are committed to revitalizing and modernizing this service branch for the 21st Century. I look forward to the ceremony.”

The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) operational components interact more frequently on a daily basis with the American public than any other federal department, from travelers moving through air, land, and seaports of entry, to businesses importing goods into the country, to immigrants applying for services.

To learn more about the impact DHS makes every day, visit: DHS.gov/TodayDHSWill.


The U.S. Department of Defense is committed to making its electronic and information technologies accessible to individuals with disabilities in accordance with Section 508 of the Rehabilitation Act (29 U.S.C. 794d), as amended in 1998. DoD websites use the WCAG 2.0 AA accessibility standard.

For persons with disabilities experiencing difficulties accessing content on a particular website, please use the form DoD Section 508 Form.  In this form, please indicate the nature of your accessibility issue/problem and your contact information so we can address your issue or question. If your issue involves log in access, password recovery, or other technical issues, contact the administrator for the website in question, or your local helpdesk.