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Internal communications from Fort Bragg reveal an orchestrated effort to select soldiers for President Donald Trump's Tuesday visit based on political affiliation and physical appearance. It has sparked concerns about the Army's historically apolitical image.

Memo: Fort Bragg soldiers chosen for Trump's speech based on politics, physical appearance

<p>TO JOIN METEOROLOGIST ELIZABETH GARDNER FOR THE LATEST FORECAST. STARTING AT 04:30AM. &gt;&gt; NEW TONIGHT, NO FAT SOLDIERS, NO POLITICAL OPPOSITION TO THE PRESIDENT. THOSE WERE THE DIRECTIONS TO THE SOLDIERS SITTING BEHIND THE PRESIDENT IN THE BLEACHERS DURING HIS VISIT TO FORT BRAGG ON TUESDAY. THIS IS ACCORDING TO INTERNAL 82ND AIRBORNE COMMUNICATIONS. THE STORY WAS FIRST REPORTED BY MILITARY COM. THE BUREAU'S CALLING HAINES IS LIVE IN RALEIGH. PAUL. YESTERDAY'S EVENT WAS A CELEBRATION OF THE ARMY'S 200 AND 50TH BIRTHDAY. SO TO SPEAK OR ANNIVERSARY, BUT IT WAS NOT WITHOUT CONTROVERSY. &gt;&gt; RIGHT. THIS CELEBRATION HAPPENED TO NEARLY 24 HOURS AGO RIGHT HERE IN NORTH CAROLINA. BUT WHAT HAPPENED THERE, WHICH MEMBERS OF THE MILITARY ALL OVER THE COUNTRY AND NOT ALL OF THEM WERE CELEBRATING WHAT THEY WITNESSED. &gt;&gt; IT LOOKS LIKE A CAMPAIGN EVENT. BUT THIS IS AN OFFICIAL PRESIDENTIAL VISIT TO FORT BRAGG TO CELEBRATE THE 200 50TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE U.S. ARMY. THE ARMY HISTORICALLY HAS. &gt;&gt; BEND OVER BACKWARDS TO MAINTAIN AND &gt;&gt; A POLITICAL IMAGE. STEVE BANNON IS A NATIONAL SECURITY CORRESPONDENT FOR MILITARY DOT COM OWNS. AND THIS IS WHAT LED TO A SOURCE IS RANGING FROM PENTAGON OFFICIALS TO JUNIOR SOLDIERS TO RAISE THE ALARM THE WAY THE SOME OF THESE TRIPS BEHAVE WHEN. &gt;&gt; LIKELY VIOLATE A WHOLE HOST OF DEFENSE DEPARTMENT REGULATIONS WHICH EFFECTIVELY PROHIBIT. &gt;&gt; PARTISAN ACTIVITY IN UNIFORM. AND THAT IS WHAT WAS SO SHOCKING ABOUT THIS EVENT, PARTICULAR IT. &gt;&gt; THEY THEN LOOKED INTO WHO WAS CHOSEN TO SIT BEHIND THE PRESIDENT, INTERNAL COMMUNICATION WITHIN THE 82ND AIRBORNE DIVISION OUTLINE SPECIFIC DIRECTIVES. THOSE INCLUDE SOLDIERS SITTING IN THE BLEACHERS ARE TO BE FIT AND NOT LOOK FAT AND SOLDIERS AND POLITICAL VIEWS AND OPPOSITION WHO DON'T WANT TO BE THERE NEED TO GET SWABBED OUT. WELL, BUT HE WENT A STEP FURTHER. THERE IS A &gt;&gt; TRUMP MERCHANDISE SHOP. THIS A WHOLE LIKE PROM POP-UP SHOP. IT'S A CALLED A CAMPAIGN 3.65. THOSE T-SHIRTS. AND JOSH KEYES AND ALL SORTS OF MEMORABILIA. &gt;&gt; IN A STATEMENT TO WRAL AND 18TH AIRBORNE CORPS SPOKESPERSON WROTE THE ARMY DOES NOT ENDORSE POLITICAL MERCHANDISE OR THE VIEWS IT REPRESENTS. THE VENDORS PRESENCE IS UNDER REVIEW TO DETERMINE HOW IT WAS PERMITTED AND TO PREVENT SIMILAR OCCURRENCES IN THE FUTURE. SO THIS IS A WEEK THAT IS A VERY PROBLEMATIC FOR THE FOR THE ARMY'S IMAGE THAT COULD DEFINITELY HAVE LASTING EFFECTS ON ITS &gt;&gt; RELATIONSHIP. THE PUBLIC AS AN INSTITUTION THAT WANTS TO APPEAR IN ONE. &gt;&gt; AND NOW THE OUTLYING QUESTION IS, WILL ANY OF THE SOLDIERS FACE ANY DISCIPLINE FOR THIS? AND IF SO, WHAT WOULD THAT LOOK LIKE? ALSO, WILL THE ARMY REFRAME HOW IT GOES ABOUT EVENTS SIMILAR TO THIS IN THE</p>

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Internal memo outlines directive for Trump visit to Fort Bragg

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More heat and humidity on the way Thursday, storm chances return for the weekend

Father's Day weekend forecast will be hot with possible storms each day.

NC House votes to repeal concealed carry rules, despite GOP holdouts

Justice_Department_Guns_04944

London-bound Air India passenger plane with 244 aboard crashes after takeoff from Ahmedabad, India

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Families urged to arrive early for graduation, mom says she was locked out at Fike High

Fike High School

Hundreds march in downtown Raleigh against Trump administration's immigration enforcement policies

Protesters marched through downtown Raleigh on Wednesday, June 11, 2025.

NC Senate Republicans revive bill to define gender as biological sex

Transgender flag 

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WRAL WeatherCenter Forecast

A crash involving two tractor-trailers and a car on U.S. Highway 70 at Pine Street in Princeton has left one person injured on Wednesday.

Tractor-trailer crash in Johnston County leaves one person injured

Raleigh police are investigating a multi-vehicle crash at the intersection of Raleigh Boulevard and Brentwood Road.


Raleigh police investigating crash involving two cars and a motorcycle

Two men were injured but are expected to be ok following a shooting in Rocky Mount on Wednesday. The incident was initially detected through a ShotSpotter activation shortly after 4:30 p.m.


Rocky Mount shooting leaves two injured; investigation ongoing

During a visit to Fort Bragg in North Carolina, President Donald Trump said that seven military bases once named for Confederate military figures -- and then renamed under former President Joe Biden for other military honorees -- would revert to their original names.

Fact check: Military bases' new names sound as if they're named after Confederates, but that's not the case

Trump Says Army Bases Will Revert to Confederate Names

As Major League Baseball considers expanding to 32 teams by the early 2030s, North Carolina's Charlotte and Raleigh emerge as strong contenders for hosting a new team.


MLB to NC? Population growth says yes, but who would pay for a stadium?

Former Atlanta Brave Andruw Jones

Farm parties have been linked to noise complaints, safety hazards and potential legal loopholes.


Legislators considering law change after WRAL Investigates' reporting on farm parties

Dwight Poole, owner of Smokehouse Valley Farm, made his first court appearance after being charged with seven counts of aiding and abetting underage drinking at a massive party held on his property.

President Donald Trump said Tuesday that he plans to phase out the Federal Emergency Management Agency after this year's hurricane season, offering the clearest timeline yet for his administration's long-term plans to dismantle the disaster relief agency and shift responsibility for response and recovery onto states.

Trump says he plans to phase out FEMA after 2025 hurricane season

NC House approves $450 million in Helene aid package

A man is in custody after he allegedly set a car on fire on Wednesday afternoon in Zebulon.

Car fire extinguished in Zebulon, man arrested after domestic violence dispute

Firefighters extinguished a car fire on Wednesday in Zebulon.

JetZero, which has been scouting sites across the country for a factory to build its blended-wing aircraft, is expected to announce plans to build in the Triad as early as this week. 

Jetmaker circles North Carolina with massive project that could add 10,000 jobs

United Airlines invests in JetZero

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WRAL News viewers sent photos of the full strawberry moon on June 11-12, 2025. The moon is not pink; instead, it's named for the time of year when the berries typically ripen. It will be the lowest-hanging full moon since 2006.

Photos: Full strawberry moon illuminates the sky

Full moon over Raleigh 

Gipson Play Plaza, the 18.5-acre playground at Dix Park, opens to the public Friday, June 6. Here's what to know before you visit.


Dix Park playground now open: What to know about Gipson Play Plaza

Gipson Play Plaza sneak peak

From kayaking to giant robots, we have some fun ideas for dad to enjoy this Father's Day in the Raleigh area.


Fun Father's Day events to check out in the Raleigh area

Fantasy Lake Adventure Park

Graduation weekend is coming up for high school seniors in Wake County. Starting next week and continuing through mid June, thousands of seniors will walk across the stage.

2025 Wake County Schools graduation schedules with dates, times and live streams

2025 Graduation

This isn't your typical "gift guide" because these gifts are more about making memories rather than buying something he'll forget about five years from now.

Gifts from the heart: Father's Day 'gift' guide

Father's Day craft

Twelve people were injured Tuesday after officials said a "mace-like substance" was used at a McDonald's in south Charlotte.


12 people injured at Charlotte McDonald's after 'mace-like' substance used in assault

McDonald's

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Raleigh police are investigating a multi-vehicle crash at the intersection of Raleigh Boulevard and Brentwood Road. 


Crash involving a motorcycle and two cars in Raleigh

One person sent to the hospital after crash in Johnston County

Demonstrators march during an anti-ICE rally in downtown Raleigh

In Depth with Dan: Protests in Raleigh over immigration enforcement

Two hurt in shooting on James Street in Rocky Mount

Powerful show of Passion: Hundreds march in downtown Raleigh against Immigration and Customs Enforcement

Video Central

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Wake County students fight summer hunger with cereal box domino demo

Local News

NAACP chapter urges district to reinstate Carrboro High School principal on administrative leave

Wolfspeed to layoff 73 Siler City employees to adjust for soft demand 

Randolph County pair charged after child's fentanyl overdose, deputies say

Large tree removed from powerlines on N. Roxboro Street in Durham

Google offers buyouts to more workers amid AI-driven tech upheaval and antitrust uncertainty

Nation/World

Trump says US gets rare earth minerals from China and tariffs on Chinese goods will total 55%

Jury convicts Harvey Weinstein of top charge in split verdict at #MeToo sex crimes retrial

Veterans are divided over the Army's big parade, being held on Trump's birthday

Austria falls silent for a minute as questions remain about the motive for a deadly school shooting

The top July 4 fireworks, festivals, and food trucks in the Triangle + maps

List: July 4 fireworks, festivals, food trucks in the Triangle 

Weekend best bets: Juneteenth at Dix Park, Lil Baby and Father's Day fun

Raleigh celebrates Juneteenth at Dix Park, marking freedom and remembering the past

Foodie News: What's ahead for Clyde Cooper's, plus a Raleigh restaurant reopens its doors

Clyde Cooper's Barbeque

Free, discounted summer family movies in the Triangle

Free or discounted summer movies in Triangle

Out & About

Fact check: Trump says immigrants in U.S. illegally have different due process standards

Politifact

Fact-checking Donald Trump as DOGE adviser Elon Musk leaves White House

Fact check: Did NC reject Helene contractors over state racial 'quotas'?

Fact check: Did Memorial Day gas prices hit a 20-year low?

Fact check: Would GOP bill strip Medicaid, health care from 13 million Americans?

Should NC drivers be protected from predatory towing? State lawmakers disagree on response

NC Capitol

NC lawmakers seek repeal of concealed carry permit law

Mom pushes to change NC's drunk driving laws to honor son killed in crash

Mom of son killed in drunk driving crash honors him by fighting for change

NC lawmakers to discuss bill to require criminal background check for teaching license

More Wake schools turning wasted food into snacks for students

Education

NC bill would require state-level criminal background check for teachers 

NC teachers, students say school cellphone policies often don't work. Here's what they recommend

Brain Game semifinals: Triangle Math and Science Academy vs. Lee Early College

Why NC schools are restricting cellphones, and how that will affect your school

4 million gallons of drinking water are lost every day in Durham. What's being done to fix that

WRAL In Depth

5 On Your Side solves mystery of money transfer that failed

Hurricane-proof your NC home: Essential steps to weather the storm

Stein launches cannabis task force, seeking to regulate THC and study pot legalization in NC

Paying more in taxes for your car? Here's how NC comes up with its valuation

Rock and Seymour lift Bulls past Charlotte Knights 5-1 

WRALSportsFan

Who will start at quarterback in Belichick's first season? Here are UNC's options

Doeren on playing ECU in opener: 'We have a lot to prove in that football game'

'Easy sell for me': Tar Heels say chance to play for, learn from Belichick is why they're here

Baseball coach Chris Pollard leaving Duke for Virginia after historic run

Greater Neuse River 7A Conference Football Preview: Is this the year Clayton beats Cleveland?

HighSchoolOT

T.C. Roberson takes No. 1 in final baseball rankings for 2025

South Caldwell takes No. 1 in final softball rankings for 2025

Ardrey Kell takes No. 1 in final girls soccer rankings for 2025

HighSchoolOT's final area code Top 15 rankings for the baseball 2025 season

WRAL anchor/reporter Dan Haggerty answers viewer emails about processed foods and tornadoes in eastern North Carolina.

In Depth with Dan: Answering viewer questions about processed foods and NC tornadoes

More and more people are turning to artificial intelligence when looking for jobs or even applying for college. Experts are warning people to take extra precautions before letting AI do the work for you, so you don't waste your money. 

Beware using AI for job hunting: Simple mistakes can doom your chances

North Carolina's former U.S. Senator Elizabeth Dole was officially honored Wednesday for her long career in public service by state lawmakers and the governor.   

Former U.S. Senator Elizabeth Dole honored by NC leaders  

Elizabeth Dole

In an exclusive interview with WRAL's Lena Tillett on Tuesday, North Carolina Gov. Josh Stein called for statewide regulations to legalize THC-intoxicating products and announced the creation of a new state advisory council to explore methods to legalize products containing THC.

Gov. Josh Stein launches cannabis task force, seeking to regulate THC and study pot legalization in NC

North Carolina lawmakers are trying again to regulate kratom, a plant-derived stimulant often sold in convenience stores. But this year, there's a new twist: the measure would ban synthetic chemicals derived from the plant.

NC lawmakers discuss regulating kratom

Gov. Josh Stein announces new council to explore legalizing THC products for adults in NC

WRAL Specialists

5 On Your Side: Data collection for consumer price report suspended in 3 cities

Renters insurance is a must-have: Protect your belongings for less than a coffee a day

Recall: 19,000 cases of Dr. Pepper Zero contain 'full sugar,' FDA warns

5 On Your Side: Renter's insurance is more important than you might think

5 On Your Side

Lawmakers considering restrictions on agritourism to rein in rowdy parties

Wake County facing rise in fire truck costs

NC troopers still employed despite apparent violations to code of conduct

WRAL Investigates: Video showed troopers violated policy. How are they still employed?

Investigations

Wolfspeed to layoff 73 Siler City employees to adjust for soft demand

Wilson shows how to use tech innovation to spur growth

NC's new Chief of AI talks trust at Grep-a-palooza

Donald Thompson: Leadership today requires humanity and clarity: Lessons from the C-suite

WRAL TechWire

Video game performers on strike for almost a year over AI issues reach a tentative deal

Disney to pay almost $439 million to take full control of streaming service Hulu

US stocks drift and Chinese markets rise as trade talks start between the world's largest economies

North Carolina among dozens of states suing to block the sale of 23andMe personal genetic data without customer consent

Business

Powerball

Mega Millions

Cash 5

NC dads find viral fame for their kid-friendly YouTube channel

Family

Alzheimer's care: We all want to feel useful

Go Ask Dad: Different kinds of pride and pork

Children get a chance to learn from the pros at The Soccer Tournament

Welcome back! WRAL's Chris Lovingood talks about being a new dad

Top grocery deals valid June 11-17

SmartShopper

Top Amazon Deals: Father's Day gifts, Electric toothbrush set, BOGO50% off books, movies & games

Father's Day Deals 2025: Restaurant, retail and gift card bonus offers

Sam's Club 12-Month Membership only $25 (50% off)

Recall: Zicam, Orajel nasal and teething swabs for fungi contamination

Tar Heel Traveler: Washington's Shoe Shop

Tar Heel Traveler: The Hat Lady

Tar Heel Traveler: Frankie Lemmon School

Tar Heel Traveler: Jockeys Ridge 2 

Tar Heel Traveler: Jockey's Ridge

Tar Heel Traveler

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