WASHINGTON, DC — PresidentDonald Trumphonoredtwo members of the National Guardwho were shot last week on patrol near the White House as he and first ladyMelania Trumpcontinued the more than a century-old tradition of lighting the National Christmas Tree.
National Guard memberSarah Beckstromdied after the attack. Trump said he met with the parents of surviving Guard memberAndrew Wolfe.
"Andrew is getting better. Sarah, unfortunately, is watching from a high, watching from heaven," Trump said Dec. 4, adding: "I just want to pay my respects to them, two incredible people, unbelievable people. I spoke with the parents and met with the parents today," he said. "The parents of Andrew."
For over a century, the White House has served as a place to celebrate the holiday season for presidents, first ladies, children and more.See the annual themes and most memorable decorations from years past, beginning here with first lady Jacqueline Kennedy and President John F. Kennedy. The first lady began the tradition of selecting a theme for the official White House Christmas tree in the Blue Room in 1961, according to the White House Historical Association. Her tree was decorated with ornamental toys, birds, angels, and characters from the "Nutcracker Suite" ballet. The White House observance of the holiday season before the twentieth century was not an official event, but first families would decorate for friends and family. " style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" />
Decorations are seen in the Red Room of the White House in Washington, DC, Dec. 1, 2025, during a media tour. The decor holds more than 10,000 butterflies to illustrate the transformations of youth who represent the nation's future. The butterflies pay tribute to Melania Trump's Fostering the Future, a BE BEST initiative to support young people who have experienced foster care. Volunteers hand-painted Be Best on tree ornaments. To see the First Lady's 2025 White House Christmas decorations, click here." style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
Christmas decorations on the theme "We the People" are unveiled during a press tour by President Joe Biden and first lady Jill Biden, at the White House in Washington, DC, Nov. 28, 2022." style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
Christmas decorations are displayed at the White House during a press preview of the holiday decor on Nov. 28, 2022 in Washington, DC. The theme is "We the People."" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
Christmas decorations are seen in the Red Room during a media preview for the 2022 Holidays at the White House in Washington, DC, Nov. 28, 2022. "We the People" is the theme." style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
A Marine White House Military band plays Christmas music at the East Wing entrance of the White House during a press preview of the White House holiday decorations in Washington, DC, Nov. 29, 2021." style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
The East Colonnade is decorated at the White House on Dec. 2, 2019 in Washington, DC." style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
First Lady Melania Trump walks through Christmas decorations in the East Wing as she tours holiday decorations at the White House in Washington, DC, Nov. 27, 2017." style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
An ornament featuring former US President Theodore Roosevelt is hung on the official White House Christmas tree in the Blue Room during a media preview of the 2008 holiday decorations at the White House Dec. 3, 2008 in Washington, DC. The theme is "A Red, White and Blue Christmas."" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
First Lady Laura Bush walks by decorated Christmas trees in the East Room of the White House Dec. 2, 2004. The entire White House was decorated by 51 volunteers assembling 660 feet of garland, 41 trees, 245 wreaths, 221 bows, and 155,500 lights to celebrate the holiday season." style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
Christmas at the White House: See first families' holiday decorations
For over a century, the White House has served as a place to celebrate the holiday season for presidents, first ladies, children and more.See the annual themes and most memorable decorations from years past, beginning here with first lady Jacqueline Kennedy and President John F. Kennedy. The first lady began the tradition of selecting a theme for the official White House Christmas tree in the Blue Room in 1961,according to the White House Historical Association. Her tree was decorated with ornamental toys, birds, angels, and characters from the "Nutcracker Suite" ballet. The White House observance of the holiday season before the twentieth century was not an official event, but first families would decorate for friends and family.
The tree lighting ceremony included performances by the Beach Boys, Alana Springsteen, Brett Young, and other musicians.
"It is beautiful. Not too cold. There's no wind. We don't have to wear hats or anything," Trump said of the 30-degree weather.
Making light of his 2020 election loss, which saw him leave the White House for four years before returning in January, Trump said that if it weren't for that outcome, he wouldn't be president as America celebrates 250 years of independence next year.
"I'm so happy that our presidency was delayed. Otherwise, I'd be sitting home watching television, not being invited, I would be extremely upset," Trump said, repeating baseless claims that the vote was "rigged."
Trump later said he loves all U.S. citizens. "Whether you like them or not, we love them all, we want to take care of everybody, we have to take everybody in our country," Trump said.
LED lights, smaller trees, and student ornaments
The Dec. 4 tree lighting ceremony on the Ellipse was the 103rd such event, which dates to former President Calvin Coolidge, who presided over the lighting of a 48-foot Balsam fir from Vermont, his home state, in 1923.
The 2025 tree is a 32-foot red spruce that grew in the mountains of Highland County, Virginia. It was selected by a ranger district in the George Washington and Jefferson National Forest, according to the National Park Service.
The tree has more than 80,000 LED lights and is surrounded by 59 smaller trees donated by a North Carolina tree farm that represent every U.S. state, territory, the District of Columbia, the Bureau of Indian Education, Department of Defense schools, and America250. They are hung with ornaments created by students.
One of Florida's ornaments features a beach scene, while one of Alaska's features a moose. An Indiana ornament has a race car.
The National Christmas Tree display runs from Dec. 6 to Jan. 1 and is free for visitors. It is open every day from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. Sunday through Thursday, and 11 p.m. on Friday and Saturday.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY:Trump says he loves all US citizens during Christmas Tree lighting
