America First Foreign Policy Means Strength at Home and an End to Regime Change Wars

The Cost of Forever Wars

Since 2001, the United States has spent six trillion dollars on Middle East wars. To put that staggering figure in perspective, it exceeds the combined market capitalization of tech giants Google, Amazon, and Apple, plus the entire nation's student loan debt and credit card debt combined. This money wasn't sitting in government coffers—it was borrowed against the future of American citizens, with interest.

For eighteen years, American forces have been trading the same villages back and forth in Afghanistan while the real threat has been growing elsewhere. During this same period, China has rapidly expanded its empire without engaging in hot wars, demonstrating a fundamentally different approach to global influence.

Representing America's Warriors

Speaking on behalf of more troops than any other member of Congress, the call for change comes from someone intimately familiar with military families and their sacrifices. Every day of freedom Americans enjoy is earned through the disproportionate sacrifice of these military families. This perspective demands that when troops are sent into harm's way, it must be for the right reasons.

The principle is clear: never send American service members into a fair fight, but also don't send them into an unnecessary one. This balance defines what an America First foreign policy should look like—strength at home and an end to unfocused, unconstitutional regime change wars in some of the planet's most miserable places.

Priorities for the 21st Century

Having the country mired in forever Middle East wars is no way to win the 21st century against the real threat: China. An America First foreign policy establishes clear priorities that put American interests first.

The vision is straightforward: secure every inch of the U.S. border with Mexico before sending the first soldier, airplane, or dollar to defend Saudi Arabia's border with Yemen. Avenge every innovative American company getting ripped off by China before spilling precious cash and blood avenging oil from Qatar or the United Arab Emirates in the Straits of Hormuz.

Economic Security as National Security

President Trump's reminder that economic security is national security provides the foundation for this approach. The Trump economy demonstrates what happens when America lets people keep what they earn—the nation takes its rightful place leading the world.

This vision for America proclaims that the nation will never be a socialist country. Freedom will reign, earned by brave young patriots who will secure victory for this generation and those that follow. President Trump deserves thanks for rebuilding the military, but that rebuilt military must be deployed wisely, focused on defending American interests rather than engaging in endless conflicts that drain resources while competitors grow stronger.

A New Direction

The message to America's warriors and their families is one of respect and strategic thinking. Their sacrifice must count for something meaningful—protecting American sovereignty, American innovation, and American prosperity. The days of borrowing against future generations to fight unfocused wars must end, replaced by a clear-eyed assessment of threats and a commitment to strength that begins at home.