Donald Trump Is Not the President of Peace
Donald Trump has long claimed he would end America’s “forever wars” and reduce our nation’s military footprint overseas. On the campaign trail and in office, he has repeatedly branded himself the “peace president,” insisting that he has kept the United States out of new conflicts and resolved dangerous global crises.
But the facts tell a very different story. Rather than restraining U.S. military involvement abroad, Trump has expanded it by entering new conflicts, escalating existing ones, and repeatedly threatening military action in service of his own political ambitions. And, despite Trump’s bold promises to end major conflicts like the war in Ukraine “on day one,” wars across the globe rage on. Far from a stabilizing force, Trump’s leadership has been defined by chaos, impulsiveness, and a willingness to use military power as a political tool.
Public Opinion:
An October 2025 poll by the Institute of Global Affairs reveals that the majority of Americans believe that the Trump Administration is making foreign policy issues worse, not better:
Regardless of political affiliation, respondents indicated that relations with allies (-23%), America’s international standing (-22%), nuclear risk (-21%), the war in Ukraine (-19%), and Iran’s nuclear program (-13%) have all deteriorated since the Trump Administration took office. Even Republicans broke with partisan expectations, with some reporting that relations with China (-24%) have weakened and that international trade (-21%) has suffered.
Americans additionally reject the premise of unilateral military action: 74% oppose the President launching attacks abroad without prior Congressional approval, including 94% of Democrats and 79% of Independents. The concept of Trump as the “peace president” also has little traction: 63% of Americans believe that he does not deserve the Nobel Peace Prize due to his involvement in foreign conflicts.
Trump’s Department of War at Work:
Trump has launched a new conflict in Latin America – and is actively considering regime change or even a U.S. invasion of Venezuela.
Despite growing opposition from lawmakers in Washington, Donald Trump continues to expand his campaign of military strikes against alleged drug traffickers in Latin America – most of whom appear to be fishermen or smugglers, not high-level cartel members. Today, Trump is reportedly considering military options for potential operations inside of Venezuela.
The administration continues to pour military hardware into the region and, in just a few weeks, more than a dozen U.S. strikes have killed at least 70 people, signaling that Trump’s counternarcotics push is becoming a central pillar of his foreign policy.
Trump’s team also continues to hint at regime change in Venezuela, suggesting that Nicolas Maduro remains a key target of the administration’s efforts.
Trump recklessly entered the United States in a dangerous war with Iran – only to temporarily set back Iran’s nuclear program and pave the way for future conflict.
Trump campaigned on ending foreign wars and pursuing diplomacy, branding himself the “Dealmaker-in-Chief” who would secure a lasting nuclear agreement with Iran.
Once in office, Trump abandoned diplomacy and took the unprecedented step of directly involving the U.S. military in a major confrontation with Iran.
U.S. intelligence agencies concluded that Trump’s strikes “did not destroy the core components of Iran’s nuclear program and likely only set it back by months.”
With no diplomatic strategy in place, experts warn that Israel is likely to reignite the war, risking escalation that could again drag the United States back into yet another conflict in the Middle East.
For years, Trump has pushed to use the U.S. military inside Mexico, even without Mexico’s consent – threatening a chaotic conflict that could spin out of control.
The Trump administration has begun detailed planning for a new mission to send American troops and intelligence officers into Mexico to target drug cartels. The mission would include ground operations inside Mexico and direct action against cartels – but would be conducted without public acknowledgment or congressional oversight.
In his first term, Trump asked senior military leaders about launching missiles into Mexico and denying responsibility, arguing the U.S. could keep the operation secret. During the 2024 campaign, he again demanded military options, including troop deployments into Mexico.
Mexico’s government has repeatedly rejected Trump’s proposals. Trump nevertheless continues to contemplate unilateral action.
Military experts have warned against Trump’s plans – highlighting the risk of spiraling violence and chaos in America’s closest neighbor. Previous military efforts to target cartels in Mexico have led to increased violence – which has driven waves of migration to the U.S.
Trump’s actions don’t stop there. He has also threatened to deploy the United States military all across the world to achieve his own personal, political, and at times bizarre, political goals.
Trump threatened to expand his campaign against alleged drug traffickers to include strikes inside of Colombia, as well as Mexico.
The White House directed the U.S. military to draw up options to increase the American troop presence in Panama to achieve President Donald Trump’s goal of “reclaiming” the Panama Canal, while refusing to explain what “reclaiming” means. Trump repeatedly refused to rule out using force in Panama.
Trump ordered the Pentagon to plan for potential military action in Nigeria, threatening the U.S. “may very well go into that now disgraced country, guns-a-blazing.” Asked whether this meant airstrikes or ground forces, Trump responded: “Could be… I envisage a lot of things.”
Trump has repeatedly refused to rule out using military force to take control of Greenland, stating, “I’m not going to commit to that… It might be that you’ll have to do something.”
Trump proposed that the U.S. could “take over” Gaza and turn it into the “Riviera of the Middle East,” while forbidding displaced Palestinians from returning to their homes.
Trump has openly threatened to deploy the U.S. military against domestic political opponents, referring to “radical left lunatics” — his label for Democratic lawmakers, activists, and voters.
Talking Points:
Despite promising to end “forever wars” and declaring himself the “peace president,” Trump’s actions tell a very different story.
Rather than restraining U.S. military engagement, Trump expanded it – entering new conflicts, escalating existing ones, and repeatedly threatening military action to advance his own political interests.
From attacking Iran to bombing alleged drug traffickers, Trump has shown a dangerous willingness to use force without strategy, consultation, or regard for consequences.
On top of that, Trump has repeatedly threatened to invade or attack countries around the world – including Mexico, Nigeria, Venezuela, Panama, and even Greenland – demonstrating his chaotic, impulsive leadership and a dangerous disregard for international law.
The American people want a strong, disciplined military that keeps us safe – not a president who treats the military as a personal political weapon and puts U.S. service members in unnecessary danger.
Trump’s approach to military force is reckless, chaotic, dangerous, and possibly illegal – the opposite of what he promised on the campaign trail.
Putting American troops in harm’s way should always be a last resort, grounded in clear national interests – not the first instinct of a chaotic leader who falsely brands himself the “president of peace.”
Published: November 2025