April 28 1965 Statement Sending Troops Dominican Republic

### About this speech Lyndon B. Johnson April 28, 1965 Source National Archives President Johnson makes a brief statement about his decision to order American troops to the Dominican Republic to protect American citizens. The video begins after Johnson has already begun talking, and it omits the first sentence of the statement: "I have just concluded a meeting with the leaders of the Congress." [Presidential Speeches](/the-presidency/presidential-speeches) | Lyndon B. Johnson Presidency ## April 28, 1965: Statement on Sending Troops to the Dominican Republic [Play Video](https://d4q9blt8qjhv3.cloudfront.net/video/mp4/1Mb/spe_1965_0428_johnson.mp4)   Fast-forward 10 seconds 0:00 [ Download audio ](https://d4q9blt8qjhv3.cloudfront.net/audio/spe_1965_0428_johnson.mp3 "\(opens in a new window\)") Embed Your browser does not support the video tag. [Miller Center: April 28, 1965: Statement on Sending Troops to the Dominican Republic](https://uvamiller.prod.acquia-sites.com/the-presidency/presidential-speeches/april-28-1965-statement-sending-troops-dominican-republic) Download media * [Download Full Video](https://d4q9blt8qjhv3.cloudfront.net/video/mp4/1Mb/spe_1965_0428_johnson.mp4?download=1) * [Download Audio](https://d4q9blt8qjhv3.cloudfront.net/audio/spe_1965_0428_johnson.mp3?download=1) View Transcript ### Transcript I have just concluded a meeting with the leaders of the Congress. I reported to them on the serious situation in the Dominican Republic.
 I reported the decisions that this Government considers necessary in this situation in order to protect American lives. The members of the leadership expressed their support of these decisions. The United States Government has been informed by military authorities in the Dominican Republic that American lives are in danger. These authorities are no longer able to guarantee their safety and they have reported that the assistance of military personnel is now needed for that purpose. I have ordered the Secretary of Defense to put the necessary American troops ashore in order to give protection to hundreds of Americans who are still in the Dominican Republic and to escort them safely back to this country. This same assistance will be available to the nationals of other countries, some of whom have already asked for our help. Pursuant to my instructions 400 Marines have already landed. General Wheeler, the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, has just reported to me that there have been no incidents. We have appealed repeatedly in recent days for a cease-fire between the contending forces of the Dominican Republic in the interests of all Dominicans and foreigners alike. I repeat this urgent appeal again tonight. The Council of the OAS has been advised of the situation by the Dominican Ambassador and the Council will be kept fully informed. View Transcript Previous [April 27, 1965: Press Conference in the East Room](/the-presidency/presidential-speeches/april-27-1965-press-confe
rence-east-room) Next [May 2, 1965: Report on the Situation in the Dominican Republic](/the-presidency/presidential-speeches/may-2-1965-report-situation-dominican-republic) ### More Lyndon B. Johnson speeches [View all Lyndon B. Johnson speeches](/the-presidency/presidential-speeches?field_president_target_id\[35\]=35) [May 2, 1965: Report on the Situation in the Dominican Republic](/the-presidency/presidential-speeches/may-2-1965-report-situation-dominican-republic) video icon audio icon transcript icon [May 13, 1965: Speech to the Association of American Editorial Cartoonists](/the-presidency/presidential-speeches/may-13-1965-speech-association-american-editorial-cartoonists) video icon audio icon transcript icon [June 1, 1965: Press Conference in the East Room](/the-presidency/presidential-speeches/june-1-1965-press-conference-east-room) video icon audio icon transcript icon [June 4, 1965: Remarks at the Howard University Commencement](/the-presidency/presidential-speeches/june-4-1965-remarks-howard-university-commencement) video icon audio icon transcript icon [June 11, 1965: Remarks at the Manned Space Flight Center](/the-presidency/presidential-speeches/june-11-1965-remarks-manned-space-flight-center) video icon audio icon transcript icon [June 25, 1965: Remarks on the 20th Anniversary of the U.N. Charter](/the-presidency/presidential-speeches/june-25-1965-remarks-20th-anniversary-un-charter) video icon audio icon transcript icon [July 13, 1965: Press Conference in the 
East Room](/the-presidency/presidential-speeches/july-13-1965-press-conference-east-room) video icon audio icon transcript icon [July 28, 1965: Press Conference](/the-presidency/presidential-speeches/july-28-1965-press-conference) video icon audio icon transcript icon [August 6, 1965: Remarks on the Signing of the Voting Rights Act](/the-presidency/presidential-speeches/august-6-1965-remarks-signing-voting-rights-act) video icon audio icon transcript icon [August 25, 1965: Press Conference at the White House](/the-presidency/presidential-speeches/august-25-1965-press-conference-white-house) video icon audio icon transcript icon