The Trump-Vance ticket has endorsed a political platform that emphasizes national security. In past presidential nominating conventions, candidates made impressive promises, and the party platform was replete with plans to cure the nation’s ills. Seldom do these aspirations see fruition. However, if the past is indicative of the future, Donald Trump, as 47th president of the United States, would meet the commitments to national security in the Republican platform “America First: A Return to Common Sense.”
Republican Platform Brings Common Sense to US National Security
The 2024 Republican platform first addresses in all capital letters what has become America’s greatest domestic threat: “SEAL THE BORDER AND STOP THE MIGRANT INVASION.” Defense of the American homeland is prominent throughout the list of commitments. Chapter Ten of the platform’s narrative, “Return to Peace Through Strength,” emphasizes “Modernize the Military.”
The following statement makes the point clearly: “Republicans will ensure our Military is the most modern, lethal, and powerful Force in the World. We will invest in cutting-edge research and advanced technologies, including an Iron Dome Missile Defense Shield, support our Troops with higher pay, and get woke Leftwing Democrats fired as soon as possible.” This declaration of principles shows an abiding understanding of how the progressives’ social justice doctrine has hampered recruiting and retaining high-quality military members. Additionally, social justice warriors are far less likely to be useful in contingencies and combat.
How the Trump-Vance ticket will apply the platform principles was evident in the first interview JD Vance gave after being nominated as the vice presidential candidate. Sean Hannity from Fox News asked him about bringing an end to the brutal Russian invasion of Ukraine. “We have to point this out. Russia would not have invaded Ukraine if Donald Trump had been president. Everybody agreed … even a lot of my Democratic colleagues privately agree with that,” Vance responded. “Here’s the issue, Sean, we’ve now spent $200 billion. What’s the goal? What are we trying to accomplish? Is there a risk of escalation into nuclear war? Because there is when you have a buffoon running foreign policy.” Then Vance explained what Trump would do to bring the Ukraine conflict to an end. “I think what President Trump has promised to do is go in there, negotiate with the Russians and the Ukrainians, bring this thing to a rapid close so America can focus on the real issue, which is China. That’s the biggest threat to our country and we’re completely distracted from it.”
There has been concern that the “Trump Doctrine,” as Vance described it, would abandon Ukraine. Bloomberg News observed:
“That task will now fall to European allies and Ukrainian politicians after former President Donald Trump picked Vance as his running mate in his election campaign, in a decisive break with the US foreign policy old guard. European officials said Vance’s nomination confirms their worst fears about the potential next Republican administration. It’s a sign they will have to do more to prove to the US that it has interest in defending the continent through continued support for Kyiv.”
Despite the Biden administration’s persistent support of Kyiv with Americans’ tax dollars, the White House has not provided a clear explanation of the strategic objective that will establish the end of the Russian war on Ukraine.
Platform Supports US Defense Alliances
It seems US allies were encouraged by the Biden administration to paint a Trump administration as hostile to NATO and inclined to be isolationist in foreign policy. There is no evidence to support that view. Trump 45 was set on getting recalcitrant NATO members to pay their 2% of GDP on defense that they signed up to do. However, when he was president, Trump used strong language with alliance members but never disengaged the United States. The Republican platform is clear: “Republicans will strengthen Alliances by ensuring that our Allies must meet their obligations to invest in our Common Defense and by restoring Peace to Europe. We will stand with Israel and seek peace in the Middle East. We will rebuild our Alliance Network in the Region to ensure a future of Peace, Stability, and Prosperity.”
When it comes to the Middle East, Vance explained that a Trump administration would deal effectively and swiftly with Iran. US foreign policy toward the chief sponsor of terrorism in the region will be firm, not resembling the soft touch of the Biden administration. He recalled that when Trump took out the regime’s chief terror architect, Qasem Soleimani, Iran did not escalate attacks on US interests in the region. Quite the opposite took place. Iran became more subdued because the regime realized it was dealing with a determined and capable US national security team.
The 2024 Republican platform’s concern with America’s national security is manifested in common-sense commitments that portend a more peaceful world and safer America.
The views expressed are those of the author and not of any other affiliate.
