In a rare formal policy speech, Republican front-runner Donald Trump vowed Wednesday to put American security “above all else” if elected president, warning allies they would be left to defend themselves if they don’t “pay their fair share.” He also called for an easing of tensions with Russia “from a position of strength, only.”
“‘America first’ will be the major and overriding theme of my administration,” Trump said in a 38-minute address at a Washington hotel.
Trump — fresh off a sweep of five Northeastern primaries that pushed him closer to the GOP nomination — sought to expand on foreign policy views that have lacked detail and worried experts in both parties. Still, he left major questions about his proposals unanswered, including his plan for defeating the Islamic State group, casting his sparse details as a strategy for catching America’s enemies off guard.
“We must, as a nation, be more unpredictable,” Trump said. The businessman read his remarks off a teleprompter, a notable change for a candidate who typically speaks off the cuff and has mocked his rivals for giving prepared speeches.
Trump appeared to send a mixed message to America’s allies. He doubled down on his previous assertion that other countries must contribute to international security agreements, such as NATO, if they’re to get the benefits of American military protection. Yet he also assured allies that the U.S. will have a renewed commitment to its overseas friends if he’s elected president.
“To our friends and allies, I say America is going to be strong again, America is going to be reliable again,” Trump said. “It’s going to be a great and reliable ally again.”
He called for a summit with NATO allies and Asian partners shortly after taking office. And he made direct appeals to Russia and China, saying the U.S. and those world powers are “not bound to be adversaries.”
“We should seek common ground based on mutual interests,” Trump said, citing Russia’s own concerns about the rise of Islamic extremists.
Many elements of Trump’s speech were similar to his typical campaign remarks, but he delivered them in a much more sober, restrained manner. Critics have said repeatedly that he has not shown an ability to act and sound “presidential.”
At least initially, Trump’s speech did not appear to change his critics’ view of his preparedness for being commander in chief. South Carolina’s Republican Sen. Lindsey Graham said on Twitter that the businessman’s speech was “pathetic in terms of understanding the role America plays in the world.”
Trump spent much of his speech panning President Barack Obama’s handling of crises in the Middle East, saying the current administration was leaving a legacy of “weakness, confusion and disarray.”
“We’ve made the Middle East more unstable and chaotic than ever before,” Trump said. He singled out Democratic front-runner Hillary Clinton’s handling of the deadly attacks on a U.S. compound in Benghazi, Libya, and repeatedly linked the former secretary of state to what he sees as the failures of the Obama administration to show strength around the world.
Even before Trump’s address, Clinton’s campaign blasted out a news release saying the Republican leader has used “the most reckless rhetoric of any major presidential candidate in modern history.”
Still, Trump didn’t spare former Republican President George W. Bush, criticizing his efforts to bring democracy to the Middle East and reaffirming his own opposition to the unpopular Iraq war. Drawing a contrast with hawkish Republicans, Trump said “war and aggression will not be my first instinct” and pledged to deploy combat forces only as a last resort.
Trump spoke to an invited audience of conservative-leaning national security experts, as well as some prominent foreign policy writers.
Trump’s advisers cast Wednesday’s speech as the first in a series of policy addresses aimed at calming the nerves of Americans who worry the businessman doesn’t have the experience to handle the range of responsibilities that land on a president’s desk. A speech on trade is expected soon.
The Associated Press contributed to this article.
Trump’s “America first” doctrine contrasts with Hillary’s “the Clinton Foundation first” doctrine.
I like much of what Donald said. It is utterly stupid for the president or administration officials to go before the TV cameras and lay out their military plans. Every military plan that is uttered in front of a camera makes its way to our enemies as soon as it airs.
We should expect loyalty from those receiving American military or financial aid. We should demand to see positive results from aid we give to other countries/states. Much of our foreign aid goes to line politician pockets rather than improving the life of the citizens we are trying to help.
They should Google the slogan, “America First” before using it!! It was the slogan of a Nazi anit-war group, urging the US not to go to war thus promoting Hitler’s power. Another example of Trump’s ignorance of many matters.
Just because Hitler used it first to go against America….America has a right to the word “America First”. and so does Trump…It seems like every time he makes a statement or says something Great…the Media and those against Trump try to turn it around and “MAKE IT AN ISSUE”
“AMERICA FIRST” MEANS ‘AMERICA IS FIRST ON TRUMPS MIND’ not himself, not anyone or anything else. “AMERICA FIRST” ABOVE ALL ELSE!
One thing we can always be assured of with Donald Trump is that Donald Trump will always come first and his personal interests. As most leftists liberals he looks for his own personal gain above all else. That is why he changed parties in time to register as a candidate in the Republican party which was to divide the Republican vote to get his best friends wife elected as POTUS. As a result he will be rewarded with that contract to build the wall which will earn him billions of dollars and make him the richest person in the world on the backs of the taxpayers. With Donald one must follow the money and not his boastful and nonsensical rhetoric.
r u KIDDING me? wow
I agree, people want to think he is stupid but Trump is not! Anyone can use any phrase they want for this is still America the land of the free and home of the brave!!!!! So stuff your snide remarks and grow up!!!
There is a team that will not be defeated this coming November. Two warriors in the White House; One, a financial and business genius and guru, and Two, a Veteran warrior of the Sword. Both with the same purpose and goal. That the needs of the American people are FIRST and FOREMOST on THEIR AGENDA, not the wants of the parasites of the world.
The two men are Donald J. Trump and Lt. Col. Allen West. Our George S. Patton, Douglas MacArthur, Dwight D. Eisenhower, and Black Jack Pershing of TODAY.
REPUBLICANS THAT DO NOT VOTE ELECT DEMOCRATS.
BIG PICTURE, I’m seeing an Allen West Presidency in 2024/2028 after 2 successful terms as Donald Trump’s VP.
TRUMP/WEST 2016/2020
Not sure how you can even begin to compare Trump to one of these “real” heroes of America. This is an insult, huge insult. Trump is for Trump!!!! and changes his mind according to his surroundings. And, he projects on others all of his weaknesses.
DJ Henley, either you are just a troll wanting to badmouth Trump or you have the reading comprehension of a grade-schooler. Ron Coon was referring to Lt. Col. Allen West as being our George S. Patton, Douglas MacArthur, Dwight D. Eisenhower, and Black Jack Pershing of today. Your choice — liberal troublemaking troll or know-it-all who knows nothing.
Btw, I am not making a comment of any sort, positive or negative, about Lt. Col. Allen West with my comment above. I’m merely pointing out that DJ was unable to understand who was being mentioned by Ron Coon or was trying to irritate people by redirecting the previous comment. I freely admit that i do not know enough about Lt. Col. Allen West to make an informed comment.
People, really, is there a problem with monitoring the illegals? You can’t go to other countries illegally, so why should they get to come here? Also remember 911 – how soon do we forget, over 2,000 Americans lost their lives…Maybe we should do like Hillary says let’s let all people come into our country – it’s like letting the convicts out of prison and roaming into your neighborhood-I wouldn’t even feel safe sleeping at night. The only thing Trump is saying is let’s monitor and do background checks on any foreigner coming into our country because we are not secure right now. So if you want the same results we have been getting, then vote democratic. You know Hillary is all about taking from the working people and giving to the people laying on their couches with their hands out, really, it makes me sick to know my money is going to the drug heads, illegals, lazy people who choose not to work. How can any American vote democrat? You know Hillary is pro choice when it comes to abortions, well if you would watch the video on how they actually kill babies-that is murdering your own flesh and blood. When a baby is six months old in the womb and they do an abortion, they actually stick the long iron rod straight into the baby’s head and kills it-you ever wonder how bad that would feel and how that baby is inside of you fighting for it’s life. Oh another thing, nothing is free to all the non-working people in America, so when they say we are going to give you free healthcare, Obama phones, food stamps, it is the working people paying for that. One more thing, our social security is suppose to be for us, but the government thinks they can spend it like it is going out of style, so that is why you younger people may never see social security. If we vote one more politician in office with giving away free things this November, things will be so bad, you will be hiding in your homes from the bad people. Donald Trump has the balls to stand up to the government and tell them and all the people how he is going to change things and what he is saying makes perfectly good sense. Sometimes he may be arrogant, but people look around at the media and everybody else who is working against him. He is not looking to take the American people’s money, he has his own money, he is not racist, he is racist against any person not being here legally, he wants to make America Great Again!
When Allen West was living in Florida and in office several people tried to contact his office for help in the state and he would not respond or get back with anyone. Trying to get through to him was like trying to get to gestopo. He had complaints and decided he might be able to further his career and moved to Texas.
It is better to elect Democrats by not voting than to abandon ones soul and sell it out to a leftist charlatan candidate like Trump. To vote for Trump is to commit a mortal sin as he is in favor of planned parenthood and said that he would make sure that the murder of babies by their mothers is part of the Republican platform. He has to be the most evil human being to ever run to be POTUS. Trump should be condemned from every pulpit in America. The good thing is that he is separating the sheep from the wolves and we sheep will be persecuted for having godly values should Trump become the nominee. May God protect and have mercy on those of us of faith from this evil godless charlatan should he become president.
However, that is not the plan which is to split the Republican vote to make Hillary president. That is why he is running and why he registered in the Republican party after having been a far left Democrat his whole life. The leftists appear to have been right about the ignorance of the American people.
TRUMP /WEST IS VERY GOOD PEAR I LIKE THAT. THIS WILL OUR COUNTRY GREAT AGAIN.
Sorry I type wrong on my first time.
I mean TRUMP/ WEST is going to be a best team for our country.
Trump is brilliant…and everything that he does shows it…His 151 iq shows that! I listened to his reply for Foreign affairs…and what more could anyone ask than to put us first….He is “OF THE PEOPLE, FOR THE PEOPLE! That is why the other pundits hate him…he will not lie, he will not cheat…he is proving that we come first…We, the American public could not ask for more in a candidate!
Wow, what a contrast to Obama’s ‘ISLAM FIRST’ doctrine!!!!
…AND NO ONE EVEN VETTED MUSLIM BROTHERHOOD OBAMA.
HE PAID FOR ALL HIS INTEL. TO BE COVERED OVER! I WONDER WHO GAVE HIM ALL THAT MONEY TO MAKE THAT COVER-UP. and after he has almost destroyed America for Islam sake….he walks out of Office a Multi-Millionaire….and while in office he and his family cost the American taxpayers millions of dollars in lush vacations, using two Air Force One’s because Michelle wanted to vacation a day longer than Obama. What hypocrisy, when America goes up in flames because he knows nothing about how to make America Great….he only knows how to be a traitor…a wolf in sheep clothing for 8 years and BOY HAS AMERICA BEEN DUMBED DOWN since he came into office…and the LAME STEAM MEDIA did so good at COVERING HIS BUTT, while he all but destroyed us. If Hillary wins this election with all the CRIMINAL ACTS SHE AND BILLY BOY HAS DONE , AND LIVES HAVE BEEN LOST….AMERICA IS DUMBER THAT I THOUGHT.
IT’S TIME TO WAKE UP AMERICA…AND MAKE AMERICA GREAT AGAIN BY ELECTING THE ONLY ONE WHO CAN TURN AMERICA BACK AROUND AND IN THE “RIGHT” DIRECTION…WITH THE HELP OF GOD ALMIGHTY…ELECT DONALD TRUMP…
I LOVE AMERICA!
I want Americans to THRIVE! I want Americans to be PROUD. And I want Americans to STOP feeling like they are owed for everything they do. No one owes anyone anything!!! Work hard. !
WORK is something that NONE of the running mates know anything about OTHER than TRUMP. Trump is NOT AFRAID to work. And work hard.
Americans need to WAKE UP and GROW UP. Let’s show all of the other countries in This world that Americans CAN take our country back. We DO CARE. Stop feeling entitled.
Trump CAN and WILL FIX the problems with America. One being, getting to the bottom of the Benghazi crisis and the email shenanigans.
Americans need to come together. Wake up.
Cruz is a psychopath- as we see him so desperate with fire in his eyes.
Let’s GO America!!!!! Vote TRUMP!! And let’s make AMERICA GREAT!!!! Again!!!!!
Sad that so many young people don’t understand this – they have been raised by a bunch of mamby pamby parents. Latch key kids. No clue. Taught by a bunch of liberal POS teachers that have dumbed down Americans. We need to change this!! No more common core !!
Trump for the NEXT 8 YEARS!!!!!!!!!!
Bringing CLASS back to America!!!
I want to state at the outset that this comment has nothing to do with this article in particular. I am interested in sharing some bipartisan thoughts about the topic, We Are The Party, and address it to both Democrats and Republicans alike.
This election cycle has focused my thinking about the process we go through in both parties to select a candidate to represent us in the November elections. During the Democratic primaries Democrats vote for their choice but the “Party” has super delegates who are not beholding to the rank and file Democratic voter. On the Republican side it is apparent that when they don’t like who the rank and file Republicans are voting for “they” the “Party” try to decide who is going to be the nominee over the choice of the majority of their members. In both cases the Democratic and Republican parties forget that in reality you and I “Are the Party” and we should be the ones that ultimately decide who represents us.
To this end I am suggesting a voter “Revolution” where people push back hard on their respective parties and remind those in charge that you and I are the party and we really don’t care for these rules that take the ultimate say away from those of us who are also registered Democrats and Republicans. I would urge those of you who agree to write and call your respective Congressional, State and Local representatives to complain about the “process” in addition to the DNC and RNC depending on your party affiliation.
I think its time that the people involved in the political process understand that they only derive their authority from the People when we give it to them and WE need to recognize that when we acquiesce and let them do as they wish we are abrogating our individual prerogatives to have them represent us as we would like to be represented.
Those of you who feel you agree with my sentiments are free to use this statement in any comments or letters or conversations you have. It is my intention to insert this statement in the comments of every article I read online and to hopefully start a movement that will hold both political parties accountable to their members.
Thanks for reading this whether you agree or not.
Well written, thank you! I will pass your words along!
Thank you
Well said dprato