Trump's foreign policy team signals further drift from 'America First' to ‘Israel First’

Illusions harboured by supporters of Donald Trump that his “America First” agenda would prioritise US interests over foreign entanglements have been shattered, as key appointments reveal an “Israel First” policy taking shape. The selection of several key officials, including Michael Waltz as National Security Advisor, whose top campaign donor is the American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC), represents a stark departure from Trump’s previous promises to avoid military interventions in the Middle East.

Trump’s announcement over the weekend that pro-Israel hawks who served under his first cabinet like Mike Pompeo and Nikki Haley would not be reinvited to his cabinet, was greeted with optimism.

“The ‘stop Pompeo’ movement is great but it’s not enough. Right now we need maximum pressure to keep all neocons and war hawks out of the Trump administration” said well-known Trump supporter, Dave Smith on X. “They have had their time at the table and brought nothing but disaster to the world and this country.”

Trump’s son, Donald Trump Jr, endorsed Smith’s comment adding, “Agreed💯💯💯!!! I’m on it”

Agreed💯💯💯!!! I’m on it. https://t.co/wJga8VyIG2

— Donald Trump Jr. (@DonaldJTrumpJr) November 10, 2024

The appointment of Waltz, a combat-decorated former Green Beret and Florida congressman, has shattered the illusion of an “America First” agenda, signalling a victory for the hawkish neoconservative wing of the Republican Party. A wing that Trump strongly criticised during the campaign trail for starting wars in the Middle East.

Waltz has been an outspoken advocate for aggressive military action in the Middle East, recently criticising the Biden administration’s approach to Gaza and Lebanon. He urged Biden to “let Israel finish the job”, even though the Occupation state is under investigation for genocide.

The shift towards a more aggressive foreign policy is further evidenced by Trump’s selection of Rep Elise Stefanik as his choice for UN Ambassador. Stefanik, also heavily backed by AIPAC, has championed numerous pro-Israel initiatives in Congress, including controversial legislation aimed at curtailing boycotts of Israel. Her bill sought to prevent American citizens and companies from providing information to foreign entities that could support boycotts of Israel.

READ: US Democrats face ‘existential threat’ from AIPAC’s growing influence

Adding to this hawkish lineup, Trump is expected to name Senator Marco Rubio of Florida as Secretary of State. Rubio, another significant recipient of AIPAC funding, has consistently pushed for more aggressive US involvement in Middle East affairs.

Donald Trump’s pro-Israel cabinet, a thread 🧵: pic.twitter.com/UaFyz70vER

— AIPAC Tracker (@TrackAIPAC) November 12, 2024

Waltz’s foreign policy vision, recently outlined in “The Economist”, advocates for a muscular approach to Middle East policy. He has called for putting “a credible military option on the table” regarding Iran and maintaining significant US military presence in the region, positions that stand in stark contrast to Trump’s previous campaign promises of military disengagement from the Middle East.

The appointments represent a dramatic shift from Trump’s campaign rhetoric, which promised to end “endless wars” and prioritise domestic interests. Instead, his selection of multiple pro-Israel hardliners to key foreign policy positions suggests an administration likely to pursue an aggressive interventionist agenda in the Middle East.

These appointments, along with several other notable Zionist figures selected for cabinet positions, are seen as further indication that Trump’s second term foreign policy team will prioritise strong alignment with Israel’s interests over his “America First” doctrine.

READ: Two factions at war to decide America’s future: Is Trump’s America First already struggling?