Donald Trump’s Policies and the Threat to America’s National Security

Undermining Alliances: Weakening NATO and Global Partnerships

One of the cornerstones of America's national security has been its strong alliances with democratic nations around the world. Under Donald Trump's leadership, however, the United States saw significant strain in these relationships, particularly with NATO, the North Atlantic Treaty Organization. Trump frequently criticized NATO, accusing its member nations of not paying their fair share for defense. While this issue is not new, his divisive rhetoric and threats to pull the U.S. out of NATO undermined the alliance’s solidarity.

Weakening these critical alliances jeopardized America’s ability to work collaboratively with other nations to counter global threats like terrorism, Russian aggression, and cyber warfare. Critics argue that Trump’s transactional approach to diplomacy damaged long-standing partnerships, making it more difficult for the U.S. to lead on the global stage and coordinate security efforts across borders.

Withdrawing from the Iran Nuclear Deal and Fueling Instability

Trump’s decision to unilaterally withdraw from the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), commonly known as the Iran Nuclear Deal, significantly heightened tensions in the Middle East. The deal, negotiated under the Obama administration, was intended to prevent Iran from developing nuclear weapons in exchange for the lifting of economic sanctions. While the deal was not perfect, it was widely viewed as a step toward reducing nuclear proliferation in the region.

• By abandoning the agreement, Trump reignited tensions with Iran, leading to increased hostilities and pushing Iran to resume its nuclear activities.
• The withdrawal destabilized the region, emboldening extremist groups and creating a vacuum that terrorist organizations like ISIS could exploit.
• America’s credibility in negotiating future deals was diminished, as allies and adversaries alike saw the U.S. as an unreliable partner.

Alienating Intelligence Agencies and Leaking Classified Information

Throughout his presidency, Trump repeatedly clashed with the U.S. intelligence community, calling into question its findings on key national security issues. From disputing intelligence on Russian interference in the 2016 election to openly criticizing the FBI and CIA, Trump fostered an environment of distrust. This friction weakened the relationship between the White House and intelligence professionals, potentially hampering efforts to identify and neutralize threats.

More concerning were instances where Trump was accused of mishandling classified information. In a 2017 meeting with Russian officials, Trump reportedly disclosed highly classified intelligence related to ISIS, which had been provided by an ally. This reckless disclosure raised concerns about compromising sources and methods, potentially putting lives at risk and damaging relationships with intelligence-sharing partners.

Inciting Domestic Extremism: The January 6th Insurrection

Perhaps one of the most significant risks to national security during Trump’s tenure was his role in the events leading up to the January 6th, 2021, Capitol insurrection. Trump’s false claims of a stolen election and his inflammatory rhetoric about “fighting like hell” to overturn the results fueled an attack on the heart of American democracy. The assault on the U.S. Capitol left law enforcement overwhelmed, exposed vulnerabilities in the country’s security infrastructure, and demonstrated the growing threat of domestic extremism.

The rise of far-right extremist groups, emboldened by Trump’s rhetoric, poses a long-term risk to America’s national security. These groups, including militias and white supremacist organizations, are increasingly organized and willing to engage in violent actions. The insurrection and Trump’s role in stoking political violence have made the U.S. more vulnerable to domestic terrorism, a threat that will likely persist long after his presidency.