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Six months into his second term, President Donald Trump's promise to "stop all wars" and be a "peacemaker and unifier" is being challenged by escalating conflict in the Middle East. Following Israeli attacks on Iran, which Trump has implicitly supported, missiles are now flying across the region, raising the risk of a broader war that could involve US troops.
These events are also creating a rift within Trump's base. Many right-wing figures and commentators argue that unwavering support for Israel contradicts the "America First" agenda that propelled Trump to office. Trita Parsi of the Quincy Institute notes a strong sense of "betrayal and anger" among parts of the "America First" base, who are increasingly skeptical of Israel and believe such wars undermine Republican presidencies and their domestic policy goals.
'Drop Israel'
Many conservatives are now questioning US support for Israel's strikes, fearing it could drag the US into a war that doesn't serve American interests. Tucker Carlson, a prominent figure in the MAGA movement, argued that while Israel has the right to wage war, it shouldn't do so with US backing. He warned that a conflict with Iran could lead to more terrorism or American casualties for a foreign agenda, concluding that the US should "drop Israel" and let them fight their own wars.
Senator Rand Paul echoed these sentiments, urging President Trump to prioritize "America First" and avoid joining conflicts between other nations, citing the American public's overwhelming opposition to "endless wars." Congresswoman Marjorie Taylor Greene also subtly expressed opposition, stating she is "praying for peace," having previously cautioned Trump against attacking Iran based on Israeli claims of a nuclear weapon, a claim that Trump's own intelligence chief, Tulsi Gabbard, stated in March that the US assesses Iran is not building.
Even staunch Israel supporter Charlie Kirk, a key Republican activist, expressed skepticism about a war with Iran, stating that the MAGA base "does not want a war at all whatsoever" and opposes US involvement.
Israel's attack on Tehran
Hours before Israel's widespread attacks on Iranian military, nuclear, and residential sites on Friday, US President Donald Trump publicly stated his administration's commitment to diplomacy with Tehran. On Thursday, he asserted that Iran "cannot have a nuclear weapon" but expressed a desire for their success otherwise, even offering US assistance. A sixth round of denuclearization talks between US and Iranian officials was scheduled for Sunday in Oman.
Despite this, Trump informed reporters on Friday that he had foreknowledge of Israel's attacks. While Secretary of State Marco Rubio described Israel's actions as "unilateral," Trump did not indicate he had attempted to halt the bombing campaign. Instead, he attributed the attacks to Iran's failure to heed his calls for a deal to dismantle their nuclear program. In a social media post, Trump claimed he had warned Iran that the consequences would be severe, emphasizing the superior and lethal nature of US military equipment, much of which Israel possesses.
Live Updates: Iran Amid Israel Conflict
Trita Parsi of the Quincy Institute suggested that Trump initially sought a deal with Iran, but his demand for "zero enrichment" led to an impasse, which Parsi believes Israel then leveraged to push for military strikes. Parsi further alleged that Trump engaged in deception by publicly advocating diplomacy while being aware of the impending Israeli attacks, leading observers to believe any strike would occur after the scheduled Sunday talks, not before.
The ‘America First’ base
While Israel's recent strikes on Iran drew support from many Republicans and Democrats in Congress, a notable segment of Trump's "America First" base is challenging the US's unwavering backing of Israel. Jon Hoffman, a research fellow at the Cato Institute, highlights that this group represents a significant constituency within the Republican Party, particularly among younger members. He points to a recent Pew Research Center survey indicating that half of Republicans under 50 hold an unfavorable view of Israel, suggesting that "the American people are sick and tired of these endless wars." This contrasts with the hawkish foreign policy prevalent in the Republican Party during George W. Bush's presidency, which saw the invasions of Iraq and Afghanistan.
The wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, despite being driven by foreign policy hawks, proved disastrous for the US. They resulted in thousands of American casualties, widespread physical and psychological trauma for service members, and questions about whether they advanced or harmed US interests. In Iraq, nation-building efforts led to an Iran-friendly government and the rise of groups like ISIL. In Afghanistan, the Taliban regained power in 2021, two decades after being ousted by US forces, with the US-backed government collapsing rapidly upon American withdrawal.
During his 2024 re-election campaign, Donald Trump capitalized on public anger over these conflicts. He repeatedly suggested that under his leadership, the Afghan government's collapse, which he called "the most embarrassing moment in the history of our country," would have been avoided. Trump also criticized his Democratic opponent, Kamala Harris, for her association with "war hawks" Dick and Liz Cheney, accusing them of wanting to invade "practically every Muslim country" and holding Dick Cheney responsible for "killing millions" in the Middle East.
However, critics argue that Trump's current stance on the Israeli strikes in Iran risks drawing him into his own Middle East conflict. Jon Hoffman, from the Cato Institute, highlights the strong US-Israel relationship and the continued influence of long-time Iran hawks within the Republican Party, such as Senator Lindsey Graham. Hoffman warns of a "tremendous risk of the United States being dragged into this war."
Source: Al Jazeera
