Topline
Former President Donald Trump assailed President Joe Biden’s decision to activate military reserve forces for deployment in Europe, accusing the president of “straining the U.S. military to the point of disaster” and “pushing us further toward a World War Three.”
Former U.S. President and front-runner Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump delivers … [+] remarks at a Nevada Republican volunteer recruiting event at Fervent: A Calvary Chapel on July 8, 2023, in Las Vegas.
Key Facts
Trump made the statement after Biden on Thursday authorized the Department of Defense to send 3,000 reservists to Europe, indicating that U.S. military operations in Europe have been stretched thin by the Russia-Ukraine war.
Suggesting the U.S. should limit aid to Ukraine, Trump accused Biden in a statement released by his campaign of vowing to “continue sending American treasure and weaponry to fuel endless war.”
He also reiterated his previous statement that he would end the war within “24 hours” if he’s reelected.
Crucial Quote
“The ranks are growing so thin that reserve troops are being forced to support Biden’s calamitous policy in Europe,” Trump said.
Key Background
Biden’s decision to authorize reservists for deployment is among a series of moves the Biden Administration has made over the past week to strengthen its commitment to supporting Ukraine in its war with Russia. Last week, the Biden Administration announced it would send cluster bombs to Ukraine, despite widespread criticism of the weapons, which incorporate submunitions that are known for accidentally detonating and harming civilians, sometimes years after the cluster bombs are fired. Biden and the U.S.’ G-7 partners on Wednesday also announced long-term security commitments to Ukraine, including helping build a sustainable military, strengthening Ukraine’s economic stability and immediate technical and financial support.
Tangent
Trump also blasted Biden’s decision to send cluster munitions to Ukraine and accused him of “a great breach of classified information” for telling CNN that Ukraine was “running out of ammunition” in explaining the decision to send cluster bombs. Trump called the statement a “humiliating admission” that “our enemies are undoubtedly salivating over.” Trump, however, made a similar disclosure in 2019, when he said during a White House news conference that military officials told him, “We don’t have any ammunition,” shortly after taking office.
Further Reading
Biden: Putin ‘Already Lost’ War With Ukraine (Forbes)
U.S. Sending Cluster Bombs To Ukraine—Here’s Why They’re So Controversial (Forbes)
What Is NATO’s Article 5? Military Provision Likely Blocking Ukraine’s Membership With The Alliance (Forbes)
