sierra-barter.com – Donald Trump, the 45th President of the United States, served as the Commander-in-Chief of the U.S. Armed Forces from January 2017 to January 2021. His time in office, particularly in matters related to national defense, military strategy, and foreign policy, was marked by a distinctive approach that combined nationalism, military strength, and strategic disengagement from longstanding international commitments. Trump’s leadership as Commander-in-Chief was both controversial and transformative, challenging many of the established norms in U.S. military and foreign relations.
This article explores Donald Trump’s time as Commander-in-Chief, examining his military policies, defense spending, relationships with the military, and his approach to global security during his presidency.
Trump’s Military Philosophy and Leadership
A Nationalist Approach to Military Power
From the moment he took office, Donald Trump emphasized a more nationalist approach to U.S. military policy. His administration sought to shift focus from the military’s traditional role in global interventions to strengthening the U.S. military’s capabilities, ensuring national security, and pursuing “America First” policies. Trump’s view of the military was deeply shaped by his belief that the U.S. had been overly involved in foreign conflicts at the expense of domestic priorities.
Trump often portrayed the U.S. military as a force for strength and peace but advocated for reducing America’s involvement in “endless wars” in the Middle East and other regions. His nationalist approach also saw him encouraging NATO allies to contribute more to their defense budgets and pushing back against what he saw as unfair trade and security arrangements that burdened the U.S.
Military Spending and the Defense Budget
One of the cornerstones of Trump’s defense strategy was the push to increase military spending. In 2017, he requested a $54 billion increase in defense spending, a substantial rise aimed at modernizing the U.S. military and ensuring its readiness to confront both conventional and emerging threats. This increase in military spending was part of Trump’s broader agenda to strengthen national security and maintain U.S. dominance in military technology and capability.
Trump’s administration prioritized the development of new military technologies, including advanced fighter jets, nuclear weapons modernization, and the expansion of the U.S. Space Force, a new branch of the military created in 2019 to counter the growing threats in space. His commitment to modernizing military equipment and ensuring the U.S. armed forces maintained a technological edge was a defining feature of his tenure.
A Focus on Military Readiness and Strength
Trump frequently emphasized the importance of military readiness and the need to ensure that the U.S. armed forces were prepared to respond to any threat, anywhere in the world. His administration made significant efforts to boost the morale of the military, increase funding for personnel, and improve the health care and benefits for veterans.
Trump’s focus on strength extended to his approach to military leadership as well. He was known for publicly praising military leaders and stressing the importance of a strong military presence in the global arena. He often spoke about the need to restore the U.S. military’s prestige and authority, arguing that the military should be a deterrent to potential adversaries like North Korea, China, and Russia.
Major Military and Foreign Policy Actions
The Defeat of ISIS
One of the most significant military accomplishments of Trump’s presidency was the defeat of the Islamic State (ISIS) in Iraq and Syria. Under his leadership, the U.S.-led coalition, in collaboration with Kurdish forces and Iraqi troops, successfully dismantled much of ISIS’s territorial holdings in the region. Trump frequently highlighted this achievement as one of his key successes, stressing that the U.S. had destroyed the “caliphate” that ISIS had once claimed in the Middle East.
While Trump’s actions were credited with significantly weakening ISIS, the withdrawal of U.S. troops from Syria in 2019 sparked controversy. Critics argued that the abrupt pullout allowed ISIS to regroup and that it weakened Kurdish allies who had been instrumental in the fight against the terrorist group. Despite this, Trump’s decision was in line with his broader desire to reduce U.S. military involvement in the region.
The Iran Conflict and the Soleimani Strike
Trump’s approach to Iran was marked by tension, especially following his decision to withdraw the U.S. from the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), commonly known as the Iran nuclear deal. In 2018, Trump unilaterally pulled out of the agreement, citing Iran’s continued support for terrorism, ballistic missile development, and regional destabilization. The move was met with widespread criticism from European allies and many in the international community, who believed that the deal had helped curb Iran’s nuclear ambitions.
In January 2020, Trump ordered a drone strike that killed Iranian General Qasem Soleimani, the leader of the Quds Force, a branch of the Iranian Revolutionary Guard. The strike significantly escalated tensions between the U.S. and Iran, leading to fears of a larger conflict in the Middle East. While Trump defended the decision as a necessary move to protect U.S. interests and prevent Iranian attacks on Americans, critics argued that the assassination of Soleimani could provoke further instability in the region.
The North Korea Summit and Diplomacy
One of the most unique aspects of Trump’s foreign policy as Commander-in-Chief was his outreach to North Korean leader Kim Jong-un. In a departure from traditional U.S. foreign policy, Trump sought to engage North Korea diplomatically, making history by becoming the first sitting U.S. president to meet with a North Korean leader. The first summit between Trump and Kim took place in Singapore in June 2018, and a second summit followed in Hanoi, Vietnam, in February 2019.
Trump’s engagement with North Korea was seen as a high-risk diplomatic strategy, with the goal of denuclearizing the Korean Peninsula. While the summits were historic and raised hopes for peace, they ultimately resulted in limited progress, with North Korea continuing its missile tests and maintaining its nuclear program. Trump’s critics argued that his efforts had given legitimacy to Kim Jong-un without securing concrete concessions on denuclearization.
The Afghanistan Drawdown and the “Endless Wars”
Throughout his presidency, Trump was vocal about his desire to end the U.S. involvement in “endless wars,” particularly in Afghanistan. In 2018, Trump ordered a significant reduction of U.S. troops in Afghanistan, signaling his desire to end the longest-running war in U.S. history. However, the process of withdrawing from Afghanistan was complicated, and Trump’s critics argued that his approach was rushed and led to a lack of strategic planning.
In 2020, the Trump administration negotiated a peace deal with the Taliban, outlining the terms for the withdrawal of U.S. forces from Afghanistan in exchange for promises of counterterrorism cooperation from the Taliban. Although the deal was intended to bring an end to the conflict, the final U.S. withdrawal in 2021 under President Biden was chaotic and led to the rapid collapse of the Afghan government, as well as the Taliban’s return to power.
The Withdrawal from Syria
Another controversial military decision during Trump’s presidency was the withdrawal of U.S. troops from Syria in late 2019. Trump’s decision to pull out of northeastern Syria was met with sharp criticism, particularly from members of his own party and military leaders, who argued that it would abandon U.S. allies, such as the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), a Kurdish militia that had been crucial in the fight against ISIS.
Trump defended the move, arguing that the U.S. had done its job in defeating ISIS and that it was time for American troops to come home. However, the decision allowed Turkey to launch an offensive against Kurdish forces, raising concerns about the future stability of the region.
Trump and the U.S. Military Leadership
Throughout his presidency, Trump’s relationship with the military was complex. He often praised the U.S. military and positioned himself as a staunch supporter of the armed forces. However, his administration’s decisions and public statements sometimes created friction with military leaders. Trump’s willingness to publicly criticize high-ranking officials and his controversial statements regarding the role of the military in domestic issues, such as his support for deploying the National Guard during protests, generated significant debate.
While many members of the military admired Trump’s strong stance on defense spending and national security, others were critical of his impulsive decision-making and at times unpredictable approach to military strategy. Despite these tensions, Trump remained deeply popular with many veterans and active-duty military personnel who appreciated his commitment to rebuilding the military and supporting veterans’ issues.
Legacy as Commander-in-Chief
Donald Trump’s tenure as Commander-in-Chief left a mixed legacy in the realm of national defense and military policy. His approach to military strategy, which emphasized reducing U.S. involvement in foreign conflicts, strengthening the military’s capabilities, and asserting American sovereignty, was both applauded and criticized.
Trump’s military policies, particularly his decisions regarding Iran, Afghanistan, and Syria, marked a break from traditional U.S. foreign policy approaches. His commitment to reducing the U.S. military footprint overseas and focusing on national defense raised important questions about America’s role in the world, the future of global alliances, and the balance between military power and diplomacy.
While his presidency was marked by controversial decisions, Trump’s leadership also highlighted the ongoing tension between maintaining global leadership and addressing domestic concerns. Whether through his strong support of military readiness or his calls for a reduction in U.S. military engagements, Trump’s tenure as Commander-in-Chief will continue to shape debates on military strategy and foreign policy for years to come.