The Foreign Policy Establishment Is Preparing to Dismantle Trump's America First Policies
Source: https://www.facebook.com/americanspectator/. "The Foreign Policy Establishment Plans for a Post-Trump World | The American Spectator | USA News and Politics." May 23, 2026. spectator.org
The Gist
The author argues that foreign policy experts are already working to undo Trump's America First approach once he leaves office. He sees this as dangerous because it would bring back the same failed establishment thinking that guided previous administrations.
Conclusion
The foreign policy establishment is already planning to dismantle Trump's America First policies and restore the liberal international order after he leaves office, which would undo his foreign policy accomplishments and return power to the same failed experts from previous administrations.
Premises
- The Council on Foreign Relations has launched a 'multiyear effort' to fundamentally reevaluate American strategy, indicating systematic planning for post-Trump policies
- Multiple CFR contributors are openly critical of Trump's foreign policy approach, describing it as damaging to alliances, institutions, and international stability
- These foreign policy experts consistently advocate for rebuilding multilateral institutions, restoring alliances, and returning to pre-Trump international engagement
- The CFR's 'political spectrum' excludes America First supporters, showing the establishment's narrow ideological range
- If Trump is succeeded by a conventional foreign policy president, the new administration will likely be staffed by people who share these anti-America First views
- Historical precedent shows that establishment foreign policy experts have guided failed policies under Bush, Obama, and Biden administrations
Assumptions
- Trump's America First policies represent a positive departure from previous foreign policy approaches
- The foreign policy establishment's criticism of Trump stems from ideological opposition rather than legitimate policy concerns
- Multilateral institutions and traditional alliances are less beneficial to America than America First policies
- The same foreign policy experts who served in previous administrations are responsible for those administrations' failures
- Planning for post-Trump policies necessarily means undermining current policies rather than building upon successful elements