Greatly influenced by the "American First" ideology of paleoconservative and 1992 GOP presidential primary candidate Patrick Buchanan, President Donald Trump is often described as an "isolationist" on foreign policy. Buchanan himself praised Trump for rejecting neocon views, and former Sen. JD Vance (R-Ohio) — now Trump's vice president — once criticized former President Joe Biden for helping Ukraine militarily and argued that the United States has no interest in the Ukraine-Russia conflict.
Yet during his second presidency, Trump has, at times, adopted an imperialistic, jingoist tone by calling for the United States to annex Greenland and the Panama Canal, wanting to rename the Gulf of Mexico the Gulf of America, and saying that Canada needs to become "the 51st state." And the escalating conflict between Israel and Iran is exposing divisions among Trump supporters.
While Fox News' Mark Levin is called for the U.S. to join Israel in attacking Iran militarily, ultra-MAGA Republicans like "War Room" host Steve Bannon, Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-Georgia) and former Fox News host Tucker Carlson are urging Trump to avoid direct military involvement in the conflict. In a Tuesday, June 17 post on his Truth Social platform, Trump called for 'UNCONDITIONAL SURRENDER!" — meaning Iran unconditionally surrendering to Israel.
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In an article published by The Atlantic on June 21, Never Trump conservative and former George W. Bush speechwriter David Frum argues that Trump is facing an escalating crisis at a time when he has hurt the U.S. from a military/national security standpoint.
"President Donald Trump is being pulled toward war in the Middle East by his predator's eye for a victim's weakness and his ego's need to claim the work of others as his own," Frum writes. "But since his 'unconditional surrender' social-media post on Tuesday, other Trump instincts have asserted themselves — above all, his fear of responsibility."
Frum continues, "Trump enjoys wielding power. He flinches from accountability. Days ago, Trump seemed to hunger for entry into Israel's war. A dramatic victory seemed poised to tumble into somebody's lap. Why not his? But as the hours passed, Trump reconsidered. Instead of acting, he postponed. He said that a decision would come within 'two weeks.'"
Frum — a major critic of Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, FBI Director Kash Patel, Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem and National Intelligence Director Tulsi Gabbard — warns that Trump "has not put competent leadership in charge of the nation's defense or domestic security."
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"Trump's secretary of defense is accused by his own former advisers and friends of playacting a role that completely exceeds his abilities," Frum writes. "If Iran retaliates with terror attacks inside the United States or on American interests abroad, it will find the U.S. desperately vulnerable. Trump purged experienced leaders from counterterrorism jobs. He installed underqualified culture warriors atop the FBI, and appointed at the Department of Homeland Security a cosplaying partisan who diverted $200 million of agency resources to a 'Thank You Trump' advertising campaign."
Frum continues, "Trump has not mobilized allies other than Israel. The United States has generally fought its major wars alongside coalition partners…. Trump seems to recognize that he cannot unify the nation and therefore dares not lead it into any arduous or hazardous undertaking. That may be the secret self-awareness behind Trump’s 'two weeks' hesitation. This is not a self-awareness that will help Israel or secure the United States' long-term interest in depriving Iran of a nuclear weapon."
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David Frum's full article for The Atlantic is available at this link (subscription required).