_WHAT’S HAPPENING_
While much media attention has been focused on the Trump administration restructuring American domestic policy, the administration has been just as active in changing America’s foreign policy as well. Personnel appointments, policy announcements, and force restructuring are all on the table as the United States prepares to scale back its involvement in Europe.
_THE FACTS_
In early February, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth declared that the Russo-Ukrainian War “must end” and that the Trump administration would not consider Ukraine’s entry into NATO. Both declarations were a reversal from previous Democrat and Republican administrations, including the first Trump administration.
The Pentagon followed that up by reportedly considering giving up NATO’s Supreme Commander Europe role, which has been held by an American general since the early 1950s. The move comes alongside other efforts to condense the military’s command structure.
Another plan in consideration would involve a halt to the expansion of American forces in Japan.
The administration is also upgrading its weapons and technology with their announcement of the F-47, which will be America’s sixth-generation fighter jet. While many details are still confidential, the jet will be one of the most technologically advanced in the world and is expected to take flight before Trump leaves office.
Some of these changes, like the F-47 announcement, received effectively no pushback. But others have been harshly pushed back on, even within the GOP.
One of the loudest opponents of the Trump administration’s policy moves has been Senate Armed Services Committee Chair Roger Wicker (R-MS), who said he was “disturbed” by Hegseth’s announcement that NATO membership for Ukraine is off the table.
Wicker and House Armed Services Committee Chair Mike Rogers (R-MI) also released a joint statement blasting the leaked plans to change the military command structure.
One of Trump’s major nominees, Elbridge Colby, who is awaiting a Senate confirmation hearing for undersecretary of defense for policy, has also been attacked by interventionist senators for suggesting America can scale back its activity in the Middle East, and for calling for more of a focus on Asia and less on Europe.
_INSIGHTS_
Definitive statements from top Trump officials that Ukraine will not be in NATO — meaning it will not be defended by America — and giving up the Supreme Allied Commander Europe position all point to the administration’s new goal of scaling back American involvement in Europe.
While many in the Republican Party support Trump’s changes, establishment leaders are less supportive. Hawkish senators like Wicker and Tom Cotton (R-AR) are incredibly resistant to these changes, as they want to continue American hegemony; Waltz, with a more interventionist history, likely would side with them. Against that group are individuals such as Trump, Vance, Hegseth, and Colby, who want to prepare for a future where America takes a lighter approach in Europe.
With Trump at the helm and Hegseth in the Pentagon, the administration will likely be able to push through the changes it wants, with or without the support of the old-guard GOP.
