In Chapter 2 of The Case for Trump Hanson gives issues that Trump planned to target to try and win over the Republican party and gain votes to win the election. A main issue that was focused on by Trump was the harm of costly wars that lacked a very specific purpose. Trump did not want to simply stop fighting wars completely but only wanted to be in wars that the United States could win. Trump was under the impression that America does not win wars anymore they just “fight, fight, fight” (Hanson, 68). Trump found this promise hard to keep realizing that if he took the troops out of Afghanistan they would collapse shortly after the troops left. Throughout the chapter, Trump criticizes how past Presidents handled conflicts with Iraq. Trump believes that this involvement with Iraq and how the US handled them was arguably the worst decision ever made by any President ever. In Trump’s foreign policy style he wanted handle crisis by threatening which would show his seriousness towards enemies and strengthen the United States and their allies. Trump wanted more heavy artillery and weapons as long as they were not wasted on inconsequential wars against Iraquis and Afghans. Trump was focused on strong nationalst policies that benefited Western security by loudly addressing threats and issues. In this area, Trump has, for the most part, stood by his campaign promises.
Another point focused on in the chapter was Trump’s promises about cracking down on illegal immigration. A main point in his campaign was to build a wall across America’s borders to try and block out all illegal immigrants who attempted to sneak into the country. This promise helped him gain voters in the election but so far has been unsuccessful. Despite Trump’s failure to keep the promise of a wall he has cracked down on illegal immigration. This is in an attempt to help America’s poor. Trump wants American’s to benefit from the budgeted money that is mainly for them instead of unqualified immigrants coming to America and instead of benefiting the economy, hurting it by taking benefits away from Americans.
2 replies on “The Case for Trump Chapter 2 ERA”
This was a good summary of chapter 2, as you mentioned important aspects of Trump’s ideas. Furthermore, as stated in the chapter, you do a good job exploring Trump’s opinion on wars and America’s involvement in them. Another important factor that was discussed is immigration, and more specifically, Trump’s approach of being more strict with immigrants. I found it interesting that some of these ideas relate to being more nationalistic and trying to make the nation stronger and help out the citizens. Therefore, much of this related to other books and information that we have explored throughout the course, such as Huntington.
Xander, you summarize this chapter in a perfect way, The focus on Trumps looks towards m=war and threats is exactly how Hanson addresses it, Trump has been different from other presidents because he is more assertive in his ways, this has helped him win the presidency and it has also helped within the act itself. The two main focuses in Trumps election has been immigration and war, you created a perfect explanation as to why this has been a focus for Trump. Overall, Trump wanted a better America, therefore those who live in America is who he wants to protect, help, and benefit. The way Trump presents himself and the actions he takes to make this happen may leave people feeling against him, but the matter in the end is that Trump wants to benefit America’s economy and American citizens.