President-elect Donald Trump has announced his first steps to making America strong again — and the plans have liberals ready to blow their tops.
Trump on Thursday called for the United States to “greatly strengthen and expand its nuclear capability” until the rest of the world “comes to its senses” regarding nuclear weapons.
His comments on Twitter came hours after Russian President Vladimir Putin said strengthening his country’s nuclear capabilities should be a chief military objective in the coming year. The president-elect’s statement also followed his meetings a day earlier with top Pentagon officials and defense contractors.
Spokesman Jason Miller said the president-elect was referring to the threat of nuclear proliferation “particularly to and among terrorist organizations and unstable and rogue regimes.” Miller said Trump sees modernizing the nation’s deterrent capability “as a vital way to pursue peace through strength.”
If Trump were to seek an expansion of the nuclear stockpiles, it would mark a sharp shift in strengthening U.S. national security policy. President Barack Obama has made nuclear non-proliferation a centerpiece of his agenda, calling in 2009 for the U.S. to lead efforts to rid the world of nuclear weapons — a goal he acknowledged would not be accomplished quickly or easily.
The U.S. and Russia hold the vast majority of the world’s nuclear weapons. In 2010, the two countries signed the New START treaty capping the number of nuclear warheads and missile launchers each country can possess. The agreement is in effect until 2021 and can be extended for another five years.
Thomas Karako, senior fellow at the Center for Strategic and International Studies, said the last comprehensive review of the U.S. nuclear force — which was conducted during Obama’s first term — occurred against the backdrop of efforts to reset relations between Washington and Moscow. The relationship has since deteriorated, with Obama and Putin clashing over Russia’s provocations in Ukraine and support for Syrian President Bashar Assad.
“We need to candidly assess what the environment is and what the prospects are for Russian compliance with current treaties,” Karako said.
Trump has repeatedly called for closer relations with Russia and has spoken favorably about Putin. Democrats have responded with conspiracy theories regarding Trump’s ties to the Kremlin.
Putin, who critics consider a dictator, addressed his country’s nuclear capabilities during an annual year-end meeting of the Russian defense ministry. He said Russia should enhance missile complexes that can “penetrate existing and future missile defense systems.”
A U.S.-backed missile shield in Eastern Europe has been another source of tension between Washington and Moscow. Russia argues the system is a threat, while U.S. and NATO officials say it’s meant to deter Iran from targeting Europe.
The president-elect’s transition website says he “recognizes the uniquely catastrophic threats posed by nuclear weapons and cyberattacks,” adding that he will modernize the nuclear arsenal “to ensure it continues to be an effective deterrent.”
Trump has spent the week at Mar-a-Lago, his South Florida estate, meeting advisers and interviewing candidates for a handful of Cabinet positions that remain unfilled. On Wednesday, he met with Pentagon officials and the CEOs of Boeing and Lockheed Martin, companies that under Obama enjoyed lucrative government contracts.
Since winning the election, Trump has complained about the cost of Boeing’s work on two new Air Force One planes and Lockheed’s contract for F-35 fighter jets. Following the meetings, both CEOs said they had discussed lowering costs of the projects with the president-elect.
On Thursday, Trump pitted the two companies against each other on Twitter. “Based on the tremendous cost and cost overruns of the Lockheed Martin F-35, I have asked Boeing to price-out a comparable F-18 Super Hornet!” he tweeted.
Boeing spokesman Todd Blecher said Thursday, “We have committed to working with the president-elect and his administration to provide the best capability, deliverability and affordability.” Lockheed declined to comment.
Trump’s tweet came after the close of trading on Wall Street. But in after-hours dealings, shares of Bethesda, Maryland-based Lockheed Martin Corp. fell 2 percent, while Chicago-based Boeing Co.’s stock rose 1 percent.
Boeing and Lockheed are also among the companies pursuing a contract for replacing Minuteman missiles in the U.S. nuclear arsenal. Spokespeople for the two companies declined to comment on whether that contract came up during Trump’s meetings with their CEOs.
The president-elect was also building up his White House staff, announcing Thursday that campaign manager Kellyanne Conway would serve as a counselor. The move will put Conway in close proximity to the president, though she is also expected to remain a visible presence promoting Trump’s agenda in the media.
Trump also announced veteran Republican operatives Sean Spicer as his press secretary and Jason Miller as communications director. Hope Hicks, Trump’s long-serving campaign spokeswoman, is also joining the White House in a senior communications position.
The Associated Press contributed to this article
After 8 years of apathy, the USA is hopeful that Trump will improve things. It will take him at least a few years to bring improvements after years of neglect.
I have placed total faith in president Trump. I. Believe he has the welfare and safety of the United States and her citizens as one of his first priorities. May God continue to guide president Trump in the now and in the future and may he continue being blessed.
Amen so happy he is our President. Can’t wait for Jan. 20
Better to have faith in God, than any man.
USA=United Stupid Americans.
Don’t understand that “America will never be great again”
The 40,000,000 mexicans will not allow it! Yes O-Bum-Ah let millions of Gangs, Criminals, Raspiest, Drug dealers,to become Undocumented Citizens in USA. (40,000,000 = Forty Millions).
P.S. Gangs,Criminals,Drug Dealers, etc…car accidents, makes Lawyers, Doctors, Police, RICH-Very-Very-Very Rich.!!! L.O.L
Currently, U.S. foreign policy is a joke. It was on the news yesterday as to how U.S. Ambassador to Japan, Caroline Kennedy, made a humorous Santa Claus video. Japan is one of the most important nations for it’s large economy and strategic location. Yet, this administration placed unqualified Caroline Kennedy as Ambassador to Japan instead of a career diplomat. Instead of having a serious diplomat in that important post, we have a wealthy person with a political name getting the job because she needed something to do.
President Elect Trump has already demonstrated how weak of mind and will O’bozo the “Big Eared” Clown really is and he’s got a little four weeks before he’s sworn in can you imagine O’bozo and his “Big Mouthed” wife are quaking in their Hawaiian sandals.
Hawaiian sandals – LOL!!
Michelle or “Michael” as Barak sometimes calls her has an unusual mouth. It reminds me of those fish – really ugly fish.
While I supported Trump in the election and am still happy that he defeated Clinton it appears that he has been duped by the Pentagon. If we are going to go back to a race to build nuclear weapons, which we did during the Cold War, we will spend ourselves broke while the bankers and weapons manufacturers will rake in the dough. Is Trump going to take over where Clinton and Obama have left off?
Ditto Hey what is a few trillion among freinds??? So to pay for it and balance the budget we will need to get rid of most of our troops. Just think we will be able to blow up the world five times instead of the current 3 and our children won’t have to worry about the disaster Obama left behind. We will all be dead
No country has ever been attacked, unless the attackers thought they could conquer that country. We’ve neglected our defenses for the last thirty two years and will soon be ripe for picking. Trump has already showed you how much of our tax dollars are being wasted. 75% of all tax dollars, presently collected, are wasted this way. Defense is a must and affordable. None so blind as those who won’t see!
The US spends more on our military than Japan, China, Russia, Germany, France, the United Kingdom, Saudi Arabia, South Korea and India added together. So when is enough enough? Under the conservative government, we will cut social security and medicare; yet, we feel weak and insecure? Our media corporations who are also part of the military industrial complex will create more fear and increase our sense of security to insure endless military spending! We can also militarize our local police force too!
No, President Trump is a sharp businessman and is demanding economical measures from those he will do business with. He’s no dummy! He didn’t make money by paying for more than he got. I believer there will be no more $600 toilet seats purchased by the Pentagon during HIS watch!!
That is a whole lot better off then spending that money to rebuild other nations!
I agree, We need get back to parity. but concentrate on perfecting missile defense systems. at various portions of a missiles trajectory.
I don’t know the price-tag for upgrading our nuclear weapons. But I predict that a new generation of such weapons would be smaller in size and more powerful and precise. Modern technology has done this to almost every product. And I know the missiles we have in those silos have to be upgraded every few years anyway. You either upgrade or decommission the weapons. They only work for so long. The other alternative is for us to unilaterally dismantle our weapons and HOPE the Russians, China, or other enemies don’t take advantage. Is this a good idea? So if we’re going to remain a Superpower we have to pay the price.
As a follow-up, the US hasn’t conducted a nuclear weapons test since 1992. That’s 25 bleeping years. We don’t know if our existing weapons will actually work. (And Putin isn’t stupid. If I can think of this I’m sure he knows for sure.) Think of all the technological advances since 1992. A new generation of nuclear weapons would be very different. Mr. Trump is smart to be thinking about this subject.
Trump will go down in history as the greatest president of all times,This is exactly what the us has needed for many years.Hillary Clinton and the dems have been able to fix this great nation and failed get rid of them for the good of all people.
Strong? Great?
Naww………………………more like Stupid…….
And unimportant opinion from an unimportant person. Crawl back into your hole, troll.
Ditto!!! Some people haven’t enough sense to come in out of the rain, somewhat like turkeys….just bird brains and the strange thing is they are ALL liberals. I wonder how THAT happened???
Our country has spent the last 8 years utilizing a foreign policy of killing of dictators in the name of democracy. We are left with countries that are safe havens for terrorists. We need to support Trump’s mission to “Make America Great Again”
I think the world, at least the U.S. of the obamas.
Part of my message didn’t print, I meant to say, We need to rid the U.S. of obama.
Obama with his ancestral hatred of his perception of America’s white colonialism has done his level best to weaken us militarily and in the eyes of the world.
Just another thing of his that Trump needs to undo. Thanks, Democrats.
Cut Taxes, regulations, layoff DC bureaucracy, all depts, agencies.
Downsize K St Mall firms,
Use estd laws on books
Cancel Obama Exec orders
Build Wall.
Estd Lunar base with Japan, EU.
Shut down Energy Dept, HHS, HUD, Labor alone.
Cut White House staffing (save SS,).
Expand SDI.
Merge WH Transportation Services.
24/7 Auctions of govt surplus online, shipped in the US only.
Orbital Trump Hotel??? HEO.
Automate USPS, FAA, NASA, CDC, NIH, NOAA, Natl Archieve & save Billions,
& add Your own to list.
Lunar base would spend all of the savings. But I’m in favor.
Russia needs to understand that a real American will soon be inaugurated as our president. Things are going to change. President Trump will work for America. President Obama joined with our enemies to destroy America.
So true
And that is the TRUTH in a nutshell. Obama is a puppet of the Saudis, that was proven when he bowed to the Saudi prince. He has always been in the Saudi pocket as has Clinton proven by the millions they poured into her “Foundation” (cough, cough) during the campaign. World Islam was the goal and Donald Trump threw a wrench into THAT plan. It is absolutely necessary for us to rebuild our nuclear arsenal, our military force, and our defense systems. I see no reason why America can’t partner with Russia in an effort to defeat Islam worldwide. I don’t think that Putin really wants to “defeat” America, I think he just wants to be sure we don’t interfere with his own agenda. Both nations have the same goal, keep Islam at bay, in the Middle East, not on our respective shores and I think a coalition of like-minded nations such as Australia, Israel, New Zealand, and others that want to keep Sharia Law and Islamic terrorism out can band be formed that allows the countries to remain autonomous internally but work externally for the good of each member. With that kind of cooperation, Islam can be defeated. Otherwise, each country will be, individually, be pissing on fires rather than using a giant fire hose. Together we stand, divided we fall, is my philosophy. Also, ALL Muslims should be banned from holding ANY office that gives them direct access to any top secret information. The Obama administration was top heavy with them and the Clinton administration was headed in the same direction. Until we can be certain we have no Islamic infiltrators, ALL Muslims should be under close scrutiny. No, it isn’t fair, however, it only takes a few to create death, destruction and chaos. We can’t afford that so they are just going to have to suck it up and accept that they are on the wrong side of history.
Ho Ho Merry CHRISTmass
I think of him as
CAPTAIN America
way to go Mr.President
THE PEOPLE OF AMERICA SHOULD THANK GOD FOR SENDIING DONALD TRUMP
TO BE OUR PRESIDENT. THERE WILL BE A GREAT CHANGE FOR AMERICA.
Trumps election was a providential event.
I think, once again, he is already showing his concern for America…Has there ever been another President who was concerned about the cost of something????
COUNT ON MR. TRUMP. HE’S NOT A LIAR. HE LOVES AMERICA. AND HE WILL FIGHT FOR ‘WE THE PEOPLE’. WE WILL BE OK WITH TIME TO UNDO THE NIGHTMARE AGENDA OF BARACK HUSSEIN OBAMA … THE ENEMY WITHIN.
The Enemy Within chose Obama. Trump has to deal with that.
HERE is a clear and present nuclear threat to it’s neighbors and the ENTIRE WORLD !!!!
“It” still refuses to let UN weapons inspectors in, in violation of numerous UN Resolution’s, just like Iraq had. Why are we not enforcing that resolution to ?? Plus “they are in violation of over 30 more UN resolutions, why don’t we enforce them and BOMB these “people” back into the stone age to like we have Afghanistan and Iraq ??
This is the kind of double standard that makes “AMERIKA” the most hated nation in the world !!
Occupied Jerusalem: 1 February, 2003 (IAP News) ( the KEY word here !! OCCUPIED)
An Israeli professor and military historian hinted that Israel could avenge the holocaust by annihilating millions of Germans and other Europeans.
Speaking during an interview which was published in Jerusalem Friday, Professor Martin Van Crevel said Israel had the capability of hitting most European capitals with nuclear weapons.
“We possess several hundred atomic warheads and rockets and can launch them at targets in all directions, perhaps even at Rome. Most European capitals are targets of our air force.”
Creveld, a professor of military history at the Hebrew University in Jerusalem, pointed out that “collective deportation” was Israel’s only meaningful strategy towards the Palestinian people.
“The Palestinians should all be deported. The people who strive for this (the Israeli government) are waiting only for the right man and the righttime. Two years ago, only 7 or 8 per cent of Israelis were of the opinion that this would be the best solution, two months ago it was 33 per cent, and now, according to a Gallup poll, the figure is 44 percent.”
Creveld said he was sure that Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon wanted to deport the Palestinians.
“I think it’s quite possible that he wants to do that. He wants to escalate
the conflict. He knows that nothing else we do will succeed.”
Asked if he was worried about Israel becoming a rouge state if it carried out a genocidal deportation against Palestinians, Creveld quoted former Israeli Defense Minister Moshe Dayan who said “Israel must be like a mad dog, too dangerous to bother.”
Creveld argued that Israel wouldn’t care much about becoming a rouge state.
“Our armed forces are not the thirtieth strongest in the world, but rather the second or third. We have the capability to take the world down with us. And I can assure you that that this will happen before Israel goes under.”
Big steep to stop China’s hegemonic global pretensions , and big steep to prevent Putin’s hegemonic global leadership.
Since November 9th, Trump has done more for this country, than Obama did in 8 years. Trump is interviewing and building a strong foundation of personnel for this country to operate in an effective manner once he takes office.