Examining Trump's Overseas Military Endeavors: Is 'America First' a Fallacy?

Many have pondered the meaning behind President Trump's 'America First' campaign, only to question if it actually refers to interventions across the Americas.

This contradiction has puzzled various Trump supporters, including Marjorie Taylor Greene, who previously served as a congresswoman from Georgia. Prior to Trump's celebratory news event regarding the U.S. military's decisive capture of Venezuela's leader Nicolás Maduro, Greene expressed her disillusionment: ‘This is not what MAGA supporters believed we were endorsing. Were we ever so mistaken.’

Indeed, in his second term, Trump exacerbated domestic issues deemed priorities under 'America First' – tackling rising expenses, housing, and healthcare – while escalating military activities abroad. This departure from promised policies has left many supporters feeling betrayed.

The statistical data is striking. In 2025 alone, Trump's administration orchestrated 626 military strikes globally, surpassing the total conducted under President Biden's entire presidency by 71. Target nations include Yemen, Syria, Iraq, Somalia, and others near Venezuela and Colombia. More recently, Trump has warned of potential strikes on Iran if it continues to suppress domestic protests ('We're locked, loaded, and prepared,' Trump stated).

Trump's Military Ventures in Latin America

Despite Trump's assertion of disfavor toward perpetual wars, his enthusiasm for swift strikes and covert operations is apparent. While incidents in regions like the Middle East and Africa draw attention, Trump's newfound focus on Venezuela suggests a growing anticipation for U.S. influence over the Western Hemisphere.

On a media talk, Stephen Miller, one of Trump's closest advisors, explained their governance ethos as governed by power and force, a sentiment almost resonating with dictatorial doctrines, which have significant parallels to leadership theories embraced by figures like Putin and Xi.

Trump reveals his foreign policy vision for the Americas in robust fashion, occasionally even boasting of future military operations, asserting control over Venezuela's future governance, and hinting at transformation plans for other nations such as Colombia and Cuba. Greenland also falls under his expansive view for national security.

Hidden Motives and Contradictions

Trump's rhetoric has also included threats towards leaders perceived as lenient with drug cartels, such as Colombian President Gustavo Petro. Despite these threats, he surprisingly pardoned Honduras' ex-president Juan Orlando Hernández, involved in substantial drug-trade conspiracies. This raises doubt about Trump's true incentives.

Further insight into Trump's motives comes from his repeated mentions of 'oil' post-the apprehension of Maduro. Recently, he claimed control over Venezuelan oil profits, arguably violating constitutional norms requiring Congress to regulate national revenue.

Is the Monroe Doctrine Making a Comeback?

North America's geopolitics remains an area of interest for Trump, extending from Mexico to Canada, although Greenland catches his attention for its vast resources amidst climate shifts he dismisses as myths.

Alarming are the implications these aspirations have on international alliances, especially NATO, given Greenland's connection to Denmark, a NATO member. Trump's misguided actions could potentially breach NATO's collective security clause, unsettling longstanding alliances.

Ultimately, Trump's ambitions appear to envision him as a leader not just of the United States but of a predominantly U.S.-influenced Americas, contradicting his 'America First' doctrine with a rather 'Americas First' approach.