Last week, Donald Trump and Ron DeSantis presented contrasting military policies, each with their unique focus and approach towards the U.S. military and national security.
What Happened: DeSantis’s proposal, dubbed “Mission First,” aimed at diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives within the Pentagon, recruitment issues, and policies impacting transgender service members, reported The Hill.
On the other hand, Trump’s proposition focused primarily on seeking reimbursements for U.S. aid to Ukraine and criticized Europe for contributing only a “tiny fraction” of what Washington had provided.
DeSantis’s plan includes potential six-month performance reviews for all four-star generals and admirals, with possible dismissals if anyone is found to have “promoted policies to the detriment of readiness and warfighting.”
He also pledged to rescind Biden’s executive order that allows transgender individuals to serve under their preferred sex, rip out DEI initiatives in the services or military academies, and end Pentagon efforts to combat extremism in the ranks.
Trump, on the other hand, claimed that if reelected, he would demand Europe pay the U.S. to rebuild its weapons stockpiles, which have been heavily drawn from since February 2022 to help bolster Kyiv in its fight against Russia.
See Also: Trump Says Ron DeSantis’ Campaign Is ‘Dead’ — His Polls Are ‘Like A Rock Heading To Hell’
Why It Matters: The contrasting views of Trump and DeSantis on the U.S. military and national security could become a significant issue in the 2024 presidential election.
The invasion of Ukraine by Russia and the response by the United States could be a major topic in the election. Trump’s suggestion that the U.S. should broker a peace settlement aligns with his previous claims that he could have prevented the war in Ukraine. However, DeSantis’ reluctance to clearly articulate his stance could lead to criticism from both Trump and Democratic candidates.
These developments come amidst a backdrop of Trump’s previous claims that he could have prevented the war in Ukraine and DeSantis’ potential presidential aspirations.
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