As with many subjects, Trump has made contradictory comments about American forces, at times lauding their power while also claiming they were depleted and in need of rebuilding.
He at times clashed with his generals during his 2016-2020 term in office and caused shock by reportedly referring to fallen troops as "losers" and "suckers" -- something he denied.
More recently, his staff sparked controversy by shoving an employee at Arlington, the country's most hallowed military cemetery.
Suggestions that he could deploy the military to handle domestic opponents or migrants could pose serious dilemmas for troops if put into practice during his second term, said Kathleen McInnis, a senior fellow at the Center for Strategic and International Studies think tank.
"Soldiers are required to not follow illegal orders, but the line between legal and illegal in some of these instances can be murky," she said.
Trump told Time magazine earlier this year that his plan for mass deportations of undocumented immigrants would involve the National Guard, "but if I thought things were getting out of control, I would have no problem using the military."
More recently, he told Fox News that "the bigger problem is the enemy from within," saying that "sick people, radical left lunatics" should be "handled" by the National Guard or military if needed.
He has also reportedly floated the idea of using US special operations personnel to kill drug kingpins in Mexico, while insisting that he would avoid major entanglements abroad for the world's most powerful military.
He will take office faced with major crises in the Middle East and Europe -- which he has claimed he will quickly resolve
- 'Fraught' -
Some senior officials who worked closely with Trump during his first term have since delivered withering judgements on his character.
His former chief of staff and retired general John Kelly told the New York Times recently that the Republican fits the definition of a fascist, while Mark Milley -- the top US military officer under Trump -- reportedly described him as a "fascist to the core" and "the most dangerous person to this country."
But how is he viewed by those in uniform?
"The generals and admirals that worked for him during the first term described a fraught relationship with President Trump," McInnis said.
The president-elect has a history of ruffling feathers with his remarks about the military, though it is unclear if that has harmed his popularity with US troops.
It's difficult to determine the views of currently serving military personnel due to the armed forces' long-held policy of remaining politically neutral.
Harris criticized Trump's history of negative remarks about the military in a speech shortly before the election, saying she "will always honor, never denigrate the service and sacrifice of our troops and their families."
But Trump was ultimately victorious -- a win that will likely spell major changes for the US relationship with NATO as well as its backing for Ukraine.
"I expect that we may see things like 'quiet quitting' NATO; ending the war in Ukraine by forcing Ukrainian capitulation; and a deep focus on China and Taiwan," McInnis said of Trump's likely national security policy.
World leaders pledge to work with Trump as he wins US election
Hong Kong (AFP) Nov 6, 2024 -
World leaders raced to congratulate Donald Trump on Wednesday as he triumphed in a stunning US election victory over Kamala Harris.
Here are the first reactions, with many being expressed even before his election win was confirmed:
- China: 'mutual respect' -
Without directly mentioning Trump, foreign ministry spokeswoman Mao Ning told a regular briefing that China hopes for "peaceful coexistence" with the United States.
"We will continue to approach and handle China-US relations based on the principles of mutual respect, peaceful coexistence, and win-win cooperation," she said.
- Russia: will judge 'concrete steps'
Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told journalists he was unaware of any plans by Vladimir Putin to congratulate Trump since the US is an "unfriendly country".
"We will draw conclusions based on concrete steps and concrete words," Peskov said.
- Israel: 'powerful recommitment' -
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu described Trump's win as "history's greatest comeback!"
"Your historic return to the White House offers a new beginning for America and a powerful recommitment to the great alliance between Israel and America. This is a huge victory!" Netanyahu said in a statement.
- Hamas: 'blind support' must end -
Bassem Naim, a member of Hamas's political bureau, told AFP that under Trump the United State's "blind support for the Zionist entity must end because it comes at the expense of the future of our people and the security and stability of the region."
- Ukraine: hopes 'just peace' closer -
President Volodymyr Zelensky congratulated Donald Trump on his "impressive victory" and said he hoped his presidency would bring a "just peace in Ukraine closer."
"I appreciate President Trump's commitment to the 'peace through strength' approach in global affairs," Zelensky said in a statement on social media.
- NATO: 'peace through strength' -
NATO chief Mark Rutte congratulated Trump and said his return to power would help keep the alliance "strong".
"His leadership will again be key to keeping our Alliance strong. I look forward to working with him again to advance peace through strength through NATO," Rutte said in a statement.
- EU: 'strong transatlantic agenda' -
"I warmly congratulate Donald J. Trump," European Union chief Ursula von der Leyen wrote on X. "We are bound by a true partnership between our people, uniting 800 million citizens. Let's work together on a strong transatlantic agenda that keeps delivering for them."
- Britain: 'historic election victory' -
Prime Minister Keir Starmer congratulated the 78-year old on his "historic election victory".
"From growth and security to innovation and tech, I know that the UK-US special relationship will continue to prosper on both sides of the Atlantic."
- France: 'respect and ambition' -
French President Emmanuel Macron congratulated "President Donald Trump", saying he was ready to work together "with respect and ambition" like "we managed to do for four years".
In a post on X, Macron said that the relationship with Trump would "take account of your convictions, and mine", adding: "For more peace and prosperity."
- Germany: 'prosperity and freedom' -
Chancellor Olaf Scholz vowed Berlin would work with Trump for "prosperity and freedom" in his message.
"Germany and the USA have long been working together successfully to promote prosperity and freedom on both sides of the Atlantic. We will continue to do so for the benefit of our citizens."
-Japan:'new heights' -
Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba told reporters he hopes "to work closely with Mr Trump to take the Japan-US alliance and Japan-US relationship to new heights."
- Qatar: 'security and stability' -
Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani, whose Gulf monarchy is a key mediator in the Gaza conflict and hosts the largest US military base in the Middle East, said he looked forward to "working together again in promoting security and stability both in the region and globally".
- Turkey: 'my friend' Trump -
Turkey's Recep Tayyip Erdogan congratulated "my friend Donald Trump".
"I hope Turkey-US relations will strengthen, that regional and global crises and wars, especially the Palestinian issue and the Russia-Ukraine war, will come to an end," Erdogan said in a statement.
- Egypt: 'reaching peace' -
President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi said he hoped Trump's return to the White House could help bring peace to the Middle East.
"I wish him all the success... and I look forward to reaching peace together, upholding regional stability and strengthening the strategic partnership between Egypt and the United States and their friendly peoples," Sisi said in a statement.
- India: 'heartiest congratulations' -
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi hailed a "historic election victory" offering his "heartiest congratulations" to Trump, describing him as "my friend."
"As you build on the successes of your previous term, I look forward to renewing our collaboration," he said in a statement.
- South Korea: alliance to shine brighter' -
President Yoon Suk Yeol congratulated Trump adding that "under your strong leadership, the future of the ROK-U.S. alliance and America will shine brighter. Look forward to working closely with you."
- Italy: 'sincere congratulations' -
Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni offered her "sincere congratulations".
"Italy and the United States are 'sister' nations, linked by an unshakeable alliance," she said. "It is a strategic bond which I am sure we will now strengthen even more."
- Poland: 'congratulations'
"!You made it happen!", Polish President Andrzej Duda posted on X.
Related Links
Democracy in the 21st century at TerraDaily.com
| Subscribe Free To Our Daily Newsletters |
| Subscribe Free To Our Daily Newsletters |
