US President Donald Trump granted 13-year-old, Devarjaye ‘DJ’ Daniel, who has been battling cancer since 2018, the rare honour of becoming an honorary United States secret service agent, making him the youngest-ever to hold the title.
The announcement was made during Trump’s address to Congress, where he asked secret service director Sean Curran to swear Daniel in, fulfilling the young boy’s dream of joining law enforcement.
After Trump made the announcement, DJ went to pull Trump in for a ‘big hug.’
Sharing the moment on the social media platform X, the White House said, “13-year-old DJ Daniel was sworn in to the Secret Service last night at the Joint Session. “
It also added that DJ was invited to the Oval Office by Trump, “where special agent Daniel gave the President a ‘big hug.’”
The chamber erupted in applause as Curran handed Daniel his badge.
Following his official induction, Daniel shared a deeply moving reflection on his journey.
In a post shared by Collin Rugg, Daniel said that had 13 brain surgeries and that’s how many times his personality has altered.
“That’s something that you don’t hear from a terminally ill child.”
He continued, “I’m gonna keep on going into my gas tank runs out. And that’s when God calls you home. You never know when God’s gonna call you home.”
“So much wisdom for a kid who is only 13 years old,” Rugg commented.
After he shared the heartfelt post, people across social media came together to praise Daniel’s strength and wisdom beyond his years.
“What an amazing kid. He touched a lot of people last night.” wrote one user.
“This is a fight between GOOD and EVIL,” said another.
“And child who is a true hero,” hailed another user.
Daniel, who has been battling a rare form of brain cancer since 2018, was initially given just five months to live. Yet, he defied the odds and has been living over the past six years, visiting police departments across the country and receiving honorary recognitions from law enforcement agencies.
Texas based DJ Daniel was sworn in as an honorary Jasper police officer in December last year and has received similar honors from the cities of Mansfield, Lake Charles, and Aurora.