Trump Appoints 13-Year-Old Cancer Survivor as Youngest-Ever Honorary Secret Service Agent

TDT | Manama
Email : editor@newsofbahrain.com

In an emotional and unexpected moment during his first joint session address to Congress, U.S. President Donald Trump honored 13-year-old DJ Daniel, a Texas boy who has been battling cancer since 2018, by appointing him as an honorary Secret Service agent—making him the youngest-ever to receive such recognition.

A Story of Resilience and a Presidential Surprise
As DJ sat in the House gallery alongside his father, President Trump shared his extraordinary journey. Diagnosed with a rare form of cancer at just seven years old, DJ was given only five months to live. Yet, defying the odds, he continued to fight, all while holding onto his dream of becoming a police officer.

"The doctors gave him five months at most to live," Trump said. "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."

Then came the moment that brought the chamber to its feet.

"Tonight, DJ, we're going to do you the biggest honor of them all," Trump declared. "I am asking our new Secret Service Director, Sean Curran, to officially make you an agent of the United States Secret Service."

A Rare Moment of Unity in Congress
The announcement was met with thunderous applause, with lawmakers across party lines standing in support. DJ’s father, overwhelmed with emotion, lifted his son into the air as the chamber chanted his name: "DJ! DJ!"

Secret Service Director Sean Curran then approached the young boy, handing him an official badge. DJ, beaming with pride, hugged Curran, marking a touching moment of recognition for his resilience and courage.

Political Tensions Resurface
However, the bipartisan goodwill was short-lived. As Trump transitioned to discussing his healthcare policies, the applause from Democrats faded. Rep. Rashida Tlaib silently held up a whiteboard reading, "You cut cancer research," in protest of Trump’s previous budget cuts to medical research funding.

On the Republican side, a lawmaker shouted, "MAHA baby!"—a twist on Trump's "Make America Great Again" slogan, emphasizing his stance on healthcare.

Honoring the Family of Laken Riley
Later in his speech, Trump turned to another emotional tribute, honoring the family of Laken Riley, a 22-year-old Georgia student murdered last year while out for a run. The convicted killer, an undocumented migrant from Venezuela, had been sentenced to life without parole.

"Laken was stolen from us by a savage illegal alien gang member who was arrested while trespassing across (former President Joe) Biden's open southern border and then set loose into the United States under the heartless policies of that failed administration," Trump said.

Vowing that such tragedies would never happen again, Trump highlighted the Laken Riley Act, a key part of his renewed immigration crackdown. The legislation, introduced shortly after his return to office, mandates the detention of undocumented migrants charged with certain crimes.

"America will never ever forget our beautiful Laken," Trump added, reaffirming his administration’s commitment to stricter immigration enforcement.

A Night of Emotional Moments and Political Divides
Trump’s address blended deeply personal stories with sharp political rhetoric, striking moments of unity and division throughout the evening. DJ Daniel’s appointment as an honorary Secret Service agent provided a rare moment of bipartisan applause, while immigration and healthcare policies reignited partisan tensions.

As the speech concluded, the night remained a reflection of both the power of resilience and the deep political divides shaping Washington.