American Carnage: Taking a Closer Look at a Second Trump Administration’s National Security Agenda
May 2024
A second Trump Administration would threaten to take America completely off the rails. Trump and his advisors have laid out an alarming list of radical policy proposals that would undermine American democracy, threaten our national security, and torpedo our economy. With fewer guardrails and respected, experienced advisors around to check his ego and erratic behavior, there’s no telling how bad things will get.
Much of what he has planned is no secret. Trump proudly brags about being a dictator, appeasing Putin, escalating tensions with China, undermining climate change action, and deploying draconian and inhumane immigration policies. Let’s take a look at exactly what a second Trump Administration portends for U.S. national security.
A closer look at his reckless national security policies
Withdrawing from NATO, which would isolate America, threaten our security, and embolden Vladimir Putin.
Cutting off aid to Ukraine and pressuring Ukraine to cede its territory to Russia on day one. Trump’s plan would increase the likelihood that Putin expands his war into Europe and risks drawing the United States into direct military conflict. Even Trump’s former Director of National Intelligence acknowledges that supporting Ukraine is the best way to keep Russia in check and keep us and our allies safe.
Starting a war in Mexico. Invading, bombing or otherwise attacking Mexico is dangerous, ineffective, and would put American servicemembers at risk.
Escalating conflict with China. Trump’s aggressive stance towards China heightens tensions and risks direct conflict. The trade war he initiated, characterized by tit-for-tat escalations and extreme pressure tactics, did not foster economic competition. Instead it brought us closer to conflict with China. His erratic policies and inconsistent messaging on Taiwan compromise our values and strategic interests, potentially leading to a dangerous escalation that threatens regional stability and disrupts global supply chains.
A closer look at embracing authoritarianism
Reintroducing firing squads, carrying out mass executions, imprisoning journalists, and weaponizing the military against citizens. Trump’s threat to be a “dictator” on day one and “terminate” the Constitution would follow the lead of brutal strongmen around the world and mirror their tactics. During a chilling November 2023 rally, he made it clear that he would not hesitate to deploy U.S. troops against American citizens and cities if he felt like it.
Proposing a three-term presidency. Trump has repeatedly floated the idea of seeking a third presidential term, which would violate the 22nd Amendment of the Constitution and severely threaten U.S. democracy.
Pardoning January 6 extremists, some of whom belong to hate groups like the Oath Keepers and Proud Boys convicted of seditious conspiracy. Pardoning them would undermine the rule of law at home and signal to the world that personal political gain supersedes democracy in America.
Prosecuting political opponents as retribution. At a September 2023 rally, Trump declared, “I [will] call my attorney general. I say, listen, indict him. Well, he hasn’t done anything wrong that we know of – I don't know, indict him on income tax evasion, you’ll figure it out.” This includes firing any U.S. attorney who fails to prosecute individuals at his direction.
Gutting the federal workforce of national security professionals. Trump would prioritize personal and political allegiance over competence, putting our nation’s security and stability at risk. He has routinely disparaged highly decorated military leaders who dared disagree with him, hurling insults like “dumb,” “dopes and babies,” and even suggesting the execution of former Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Mark Miley.
A closer look at his inhumane and chaotic immigration policy
Constructing migrant detention camps and deploying the military in our cities to round up and forcibly expel more than 11 million people from the United States. These actions are unlawful, violate the U.S. Constitution, and would invite chaos.
Returning to failed, extremist, and inhumane policies, which could include separating migrant children from their families and putting them in cages.
Building an expensive and ineffective border wall using military funds, bypassing congressional approval. This would cost a staggering $11 billion, and, according to experts, do little to enhance our safety or prosperity.
Restoring the Muslim ban and implementing additional radical and discriminatory practices to target immigrants. Trump routinely denigrates immigrants as “animals” from “shithole countries” who are “poisoning the blood” of the United States while favoring those from “nice countries, you know like Denmark, Switzerland…? How about Norway?”
A closer look at destabilizing the U.S. and global economy
Hurting American families with a proposed 10 percent blanket tariff on all foreign goods, including imports from our closest allies. These tariffs would increase costs for working families by $1,500 and slash about 500,000 jobs. It would also prompt retaliatory action against U.S. companies that could further shrink the U.S. economy and lead to an additional projected loss of 322,000 jobs. Economists across the political spectrum consider this plan extremely dangerous.
Reigniting a trade war with China by implementing a baseline 60% tariff on all imports. Experts project that if China retaliates against the new tariffs, U.S. economic growth will contract while elevating U.S. inflation and increasing prices on consumer products.
Shutting the border, which would have devastating consequences for everyday Americans and the U.S. economy. Trump’s plan to “close the border” on day one would disrupt food and fuel supply chains, leading to shortages of everyday goods, causing grocery and gas prices to surge. A border shutdown would not only harm local economies and the millions of Americans whose jobs depend on cross-border trade but also have far-reaching negative consequences for the entire nation.
A closer look at retreating on climate action
Denying the existential threat climate change poses to Americans. Trump has called climate change a “hoax” and rolled back over 125 environmental rules and policies during his administration. He will pull the U.S. out of the Paris Climate Agreement again, abdicating U.S. global leadership on reducing greenhouse gas emissions worldwide.
Engaging in corrupt deals with oil executives. At an April dinner with top oil executives, Donald Trump promised to reverse climate initiatives and prevent new ones from being enacted if the CEOs raised $1 billion to help return Trump to the White House.
Rolling back climate-friendly initiatives and abandoning America’s clean energy future. Trump plans to dismantle green energy policies, including eliminating wind energy subsidies and removing environmental restrictions on approving natural gas pipelines. These policies are designed to double down on fossil fuels by making it easier to “Drill, Baby, Drill.” His actions would ensure the United States falls behind our competitors like China and blow the opportunity to dominate advanced manufacturing and create millions of good-paying American jobs.