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July 10, 2026
Armstrong joins Trump, Burgum for dedication of T.R. Presidential Library, arriving by train in Medora
Gov. Kelly Armstrong joined President Donald Trump and former North Dakota governor and U.S. Secretary of the Interior Doug Burgum in Medora for the dedication of the Theodore Roosevelt Presidential Library on July 1, launching another historic chapter in the state’s relationship and connection with the nation’s 26th president.
In a nod to Roosevelt’s historic arrival in Medora 143 years ago, Armstrong joined Trump, Burgum and others for a ride through the city aboard a BNSF Railway train decorated in red, white and blue. After touring the presidential library, Trump addressed thousands gathered at the amphitheater, the bright July sun radiating over the crowd in front of him and Badlands behind him, following remarks by Armstrong, Secretary of the Navy Hung Cao and Burgum.
“The Theodore Roosevelt Presidential Library has the most stunningly beautiful backyard of any library in history,” Armstrong said in his welcome remarks. “And I cannot think of a better backdrop to hear from our President as we celebrate 250 years of American greatness.”
The governor recounted how Roosevelt lost his mother and wife on the same day in February 1884 and came to the Badlands as a broken man trying to outrun unimaginable grief, only to be remade into a rancher and cowboy who later said he would never have been president if not for his experience in North Dakota.
“People are going to come here from every corner of the world. And while here, they will come to understand T.R. the way North Dakotans always have: as a man beset by tragedy but on the verge of greatness,” Armstrong said.
Armstrong thanked Trump for his fourth visit to North Dakota – his third as president – to commemorate the nation’s 250th birthday and celebrate Roosevelt’s enduring legacy of leadership, conservation and citizenship.
“As Roosevelt himself once said in a speech on the Fourth of July in 1886, in my hometown of Dickinson, North Dakota, on his way back east from this place to continue his comeback story, ‘We have fallen heirs to the most glorious heritage a people ever received, and each one must do his part if we wish to show that the nation is worthy of its good fortune,’” Armstrong said. “As we celebrate these last 250 years of American greatness, we recognize that it is incumbent on each and every one of us to do our part to ensure that the next 250 years are better than the last.”
Armstrong participated in several other library-related events during the week, culminating with the grand opening ceremony Saturday, July 4. Videos from the events can be found here.
Armstrong, Strinden celebrate grand opening of Theodore Roosevelt Presidential Library in Medora
Gov. Kelly Armstrong and Lt. Gov. Michelle Strinden celebrated the grand opening of the Theodore Roosevelt Presidential Library in Medora on July 4 with local, state and federal officials, praising the new facility for bringing Roosevelt’s impactful legacy to life for current and future generations of Americans.
Armstrong quoted the Independence Day remarks delivered by a 27-year-old Roosevelt in 1886 in the governor’s hometown of Dickinson, in which Roosevelt expressed his affinity for “big prairies, big forests and mountains, big wheat fields, railroads, and herds of cattle, too,” among other things. Roosevelt said, “we must keep steadily in mind that no people were ever yet benefited by riches if their prosperity corrupted their virtue.”
“The values T.R. carried away from these Badlands — hard work, conservation, and active citizenship — these are not historical artifacts. They are North Dakota values,” Armstrong said. “And they are exactly the values this library will showcase to the world.”
The 96,000-square-foot library will be open year-round, with interactive exhibits offering an immersive experience for citizens young and old, from North Dakota and beyond.
“If this was just a library built in remembrance of our 26th president, that would be enough. But it is so much more than that,” Armstrong said. “With this grand opening today, we honor the spirit of one of the most consequential figures in the 250-year history as the greatest country in the history of the world. The spirit of resilience, honesty, bravery. The spirit of big dreams and big ideas, and the perseverance to do the hard work required to turn them into reality.”
Roosevelt sought solace and healing in Medora after his wife and mother died on the same day in February 1884, writing in his journal, “The light has gone out of my life.” He established the Elkhorn Ranch – now often referred to as the “cradle of conservation” – and would later say that he would not have become president if not for his experience in North Dakota.
“Now, people from all over the world can come to this exact place, stand where T.R. stood, and feel – not just understand, but feel – how it changed him,” Armstrong said. “That’s what this library makes possible. And North Dakota is genuinely proud to offer it to the world.”
For more information, visit the Theodore Roosevelt Presidential Library’s website.
Armstrong requests presidential major disaster declaration for early June storms
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Gov. Kelly Armstrong submitted a request for a presidential major disaster declaration for severe storms that occurred June 7-9, causing damage estimated at more than $4.6 million.
On June 7, the first storms produced a derecho-like wind event with straight-line winds estimated between 80 and 100 mph, followed on June 9 by storms that included supercell thunderstorms that produced tornadoes, baseball size hail and damaging winds.
Together, the storms caused widespread damage to infrastructure and public utilities, agricultural losses and damage to residential, commercial and industrial structures across multiple jurisdictions. Preliminarily estimates of damages exceed $4.6 million to public facilities, which includes debris removal.
“Just as communities were starting to clean up from the first round of storms on June 7, another round hit two days later, compounding the damage and complicating response and recovery for our citizens,” Armstrong said. “We appreciate the administration considering this request to help cover the cost of significant damage to public infrastructure from this one-two punch.”
A state disaster was declared June 30 in response to the storms, which knocked out power to over 25,000 people, toppled trees and caused significant damage to utilities, homes and other private property.
The request made through the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) seeks a presidential major disaster declaration for seven counties: Bottineau, Burke, Divide, McLean, Mercer, Oliver and Williams. A presidential declaration would make FEMA public assistance available to help cover the costs of fixing and replacing damaged infrastructure.
Schulz to transition from ND Parks and Recreation to ND Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation
Gov. Kelly Armstrong announced that North Dakota Parks and Recreation Department Director Cody Schulz is leaving the agency next month to assume the role of chief financial officer in the North Dakota Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation, effective Aug. 17.
Schulz has led Parks and Recreation since being appointed director by then-Gov. Doug Burgum in October 2021. Armstrong reappointed Schulz to the position upon taking office in December 2024. Schulz previously served 13 years in the state Department of Emergency Services (DES), including as business manager and finance officer for seven years and as the state’s director of Homeland Security from 2018 to 2021. Prior to joining DES, he spent nearly 13 years in the private sector as a business owner, account specialist and government and public affairs analyst.
“Parks and Recreation has thrived under Cody’s leadership, opening a new state park at Pembina Gorge, expanding and improving existing parks, making major investments in infrastructure and enhancing visitor experiences,” Armstrong said. “While we will miss his leadership of the agency, we’re excited that he has decided to continue serving the citizens of North Dakota at DOCR, where his experience in finance and accounting will serve the department well.”
“This was an incredibly difficult decision, one driven primarily by the desire to travel less and spend more time with family, especially my aging parents. At the same time, my new role at DOCR allows me to work in finance and public safety – two passions that have shaped much of my career,” Schulz said. “I am filled with gratitude for the team at Parks and Recreation, and I leave with complete confidence in this organization. This is an exceptionally talented team filled with capable, dedicated people who care deeply about one another, our mission, and the citizens we serve.”
A native of New Salem, N.D., Schulz earned an associate’s degree from Bismarck State College, a bachelor’s degree in business administration from Dickinson State University and an MBA from the University of North Dakota. He also served on the Morton County Commission from 2012 to 2020, including as chairman in 2016, 2017 and 2020, and as a member of the Morton County Park Board for eight years.
IN OTHER NEWS
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Gov. Armstrong joined Secretary Doug Burgum and Senator Kevin Cramer on POLITICO's podcast "On the Road with Jonathan Martin" recorded at the Little Missouri Saloon in downtown Medora.
Watch and listen here.
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Gov. Armstrong attended the 4th annual Softball Classic at NDSP, thanking the North Dakota Department of Corrections & Rehabilitation staff and residents for hosting. NDDOCR invited the USA Patriots to play NDSP prior to the McQuades Charity Softball Tournament, the largest tourney of its kind in the nation.
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Gov. Armstrong kicked off America250 week in North Dakota with the first ringing of the replica Liberty Bell since 1976 at the Heritage Center in Bismarck.
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First Lady Kjersti moderated a panel discussion, “First Lady and the Modern Presidency,”
alongside Betsy Martin, Anita McBride, and Michelle Orton during the opening ceremonies of the Theodore Roosevelt Presidential Library.
"The role of the First Lady has evolved throughout our nation’s history, and I’m grateful for the opportunity to engage in such an insightful conversation with these incredible women," said Kjersti.
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Lt. Gov. Michelle Strinden helped break ground on Agristo’s new facility. The new 630,000-square-foot facility brings a major investment in North Dakota agriculture, workforce and the future of value-added processing in our state. |
Gov. Armstrong moderated a rare conversation at the opening ceremonies at Theodore Roosevelt Presidential Library with four predecessors, former Governors Burgum, Dalrymple, Hoeven and Schafer.
"I appreciate them sharing their common and unique experiences as governors, the impact of western North Dakota on their lives, and the importance of conservation and stewardship as we continue the celebration around the July 4th opening of the Theodore Roosevelt Presidential Library," said Armstrong.
Videos from the events can be found here.
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