Trump Promises Strong Military and End to Wars
US President-elect Donald Trump has made bold promises regarding the future of American military engagement and government spending. Speaking at his Mar-a-Lago resort in Florida, Trump emphasized the need for a "strong military" while vowing to end ongoing conflicts in the Middle East and Ukraine. He criticized the extensive financial resources allocated to the Afghanistan war from 2001 to 2021, stating, "We have to get back to being a great country with low taxes and a strong military. We have to take care of our military. We've done it before, and we have to do it again."
In his remarks, Trump highlighted his recent appointments to key government positions, including Florida Senator Marco Rubio as Secretary of State and Pete Hegseth as Secretary of Defense. He expressed confidence in their capabilities, particularly in handling foreign relations with adversaries such as China and Iran. Trump stated that Rubio would be "a fierce defender of our nation" and a supportive ally to partners abroad.
Transition of Power and Government Efficiency
The transition of power between the outgoing Democratic administration and Trump's incoming Republican team is expected to be smooth, according to officials from the Departments of Defense and State. Secretary of State Antony Blinken is set to engage in discussions with Rubio to ensure a seamless handover. State Department spokesman Vedant Patel assured reporters that there would be adequate communication in the coming weeks.
Additionally, Trump has tasked Elon Musk with leading a committee focused on government efficiency, aiming to propose significant cuts in federal spending, potentially reaching $2 trillion. This initiative could involve the elimination of various positions within the Department of Defense, which operates with an annual budget exceeding $850 billion. The deputy spokeswoman for the Pentagon, Sabrina Singh, has committed to facilitating an orderly transition, although details regarding direct communication between outgoing and incoming officials remain unclear.
