Is Trump politicising the US military? - The President's Path podcast, BBC World Service

About this Video

• Video Title: Is Trump politicising the US military? - The President's Path podcast
• Channel: BBC World Service
• Speakers: Bernie, Caitríona
• Duration: 24:17

Introduction

This BBC World Service podcast episode, "Is Trump politicising the US military?", discusses the deployment of the National Guard and Marines to California amidst protests, examining whether this and other actions constitute a politicization of the US military under the Trump administration. The episode analyzes the roles of the National Guard versus active duty troops, the political fallout, and the broader implications for military funding, recruitment, and ethos.

Key Takeaways

• Differentiation of US Military Branches: The podcast clarifies the distinctions between the National Guard (state-level, often for disaster response), active duty troops (full-time military personnel), and reserve components. The deployment of both National Guard and active duty Marines to California sparked controversy.
• Politicization Debate: The deployment of the National Guard to California, orchestrated by President Trump, ignited a debate about the politicization of the military, with critics accusing the federal government of overstepping state rights.
• Military Budget and Cuts: The Trump administration aims for a $1 trillion Department of Defense budget, but proposed cuts, while seemingly small in the grand scheme, have generated controversy, especially given the simultaneous demands for increased spending in other areas (border security, military technology).
• Recruitment and Ethos: The administration claims a surge in military recruitment, linking it to a renewed "warfighting ethos." However, the podcast questions this correlation due to fluctuating annual recruitment targets and pre-existing trends.
• Changes in Military Leadership and Policies: The episode highlights the administration's efforts to reshape the military's leadership and policies, including cuts to "woke programmes" and changes to naming conventions for ships and bases. This has resulted in significant discussion within the military and in Congress.