The White House has released a new counterterrorism strategy document that seeks to regain control from terrorists and criminal cartels. The plan includes decisive actions against hostile regimes, enhanced border security to reduce domestic threats, and an effort to eliminate negative foreign influences in the Western Hemisphere.
President Trump, in the introductory remarks of the plan, stated, “America’s new counterterrorism strategy is a return to common sense and peace through force… if you hurt Americans or plan to hurt Americans, ‘we will find you and we will kill you.’
Trump’s introduction, as well as the document itself, sharply criticized counterterrorism approaches taken by past administrations, both Democratic and Republican. He stated that upon his return to the White House in 2025, he would encounter “four years of weakness, failure, capitulation, and humiliation under the previous administration.”
The document accuses the Biden administration of twisting national security into a relentless campaign against domestic political adversaries and undermining public trust in America’s security institutions.
It points fingers at Democratic leaders like Biden and Obama for neglecting the escalating threat from criminal cartels, making adversaries feel emboldened, and, significantly, failing to control the influx of violent criminals and hostile foreign agents.
Regarding Trump’s Republican predecessors, the document notes their tendency toward a prolonged “forever war” approach in conflicts like those in Afghanistan and Iraq, spreading U.S. military resources too thinly. It additionally criticizes the Bush administration for not confronting the risks of Islamism aggressively enough, allowing a hostile ideology to take root in the U.S.
Both Democratic and Republican administrations have been criticized for their delayed responses to jihadi violence against Christians in regions like the Middle East and Africa, a situation that poses threats to global stability as it enables jihadis to strengthen their territorial control and resources.
The new counterterrorism strategy identifies threats near the U.S. as the most pressing and emphasizes “neutralizing the hemispheric terrorist threat by reducing cartel activities to the point where they cannot transport drugs, members, or victims of human trafficking into the U.S.”
“We will continue to locate and remove cartel and gang members who crossed into our country during the Biden Administration,” Trump asserted, mentioning that the Foreign Terrorist Organization designation would help tighten their operational capabilities.
The White House has noted a reduction in drug smuggling at sea by over 90% since the initiation of actions against drug cartel vessels. The strategy mentions that these trafficking and financial networks also have ties to Islamist terrorism.
The document emphasizes the importance of committing to hemispheric security and demonstrating the ability to act swiftly, aiming to engage neighboring countries positively.
Criticism of the previous administration centered on the vague promises and half-hearted actions that have allowed security threats in Latin America to escalate. Trump has made it clear that he intends to counter terrorism and organized crime with vigorous actions and legal measures.
The strategy’s second priority is to “target and dismantle the top five Islamist terrorist organizations that have the capabilities to execute foreign operations against the U.S.”
This includes al-Qaeda, the Islamic State, and its aggressive subgroups like al-Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula and ISIS-Khorasan. The White House makes a point to classify the international Muslim Brotherhood as a terrorist organization, which marks a significant shift for the administration.
The third priority involves depoliticizing the security sector that has, according to the document, been “weaponized” by previous administrations, particularly addressing the rising threat of “violent left-wing extremism,” which the document cites as leading to violent acts, including the assassination of public figures.
“Our national operations also focus on the rapid identification and elimination of violent secular political groups with anti-American ideologies,” the document asserts, specifically naming Antifa as a target.
The fourth priority is labeled as a special category dealing with “the acquisition and utilization of weapons of mass destruction by states,” particularly with regard to nuclear or radioactive materials employed by terrorists. Iran is specifically noted due to its potential to provide nuclear weapons to non-state actors.
The White House has vowed to neutralize the “Tehran regime” as a threat to the U.S. and its interests, citing those organizations, including Hamas and Hezbollah, as significant concerns.
The document reflects on the military successes during Trump’s previous administration, highlighting the quick dismantling of the Islamic State’s caliphate, a task viewed by the Obama administration as a long-term challenge.
But now, ISIS has retreated to Africa, where it continues to pose a serious threat in regions like West Africa, and the strategy aims to rebuild bilateral counterterrorism relations with African countries that feel neglected or insulted by current U.S. policies.
It’s a candid acknowledgment of a troubling fact; some African nations are wary of collaborating with the U.S. and Europe on security matters due to fears that cultural agendas may be imposed upon them. This dynamic could lead these nations to partner with other powers like Russia and China, a worrying trend for global security.
The Trump administration hopes to change this by associating counterterrorism cooperation with the benefits of strengthened trade and commercial ties, citing successful historical peace agreements.
At the core of the strategy are themes of “common sense” and “realism,” particularly in looking towards European allies to shoulder more responsibility for their security.
The document criticizes European governments for fostering an environment that permits conspiracies against citizens due to allowing groups like al-Qaeda and ISIS to exploit vulnerabilities in security.
The strategy states, “It is unacceptable for a wealthy NATO ally to become a hub for terrorist funding and operations.” Moreover, it warns that uncontrolled mass immigration can serve as a gateway for terrorism.
Trump’s vision for counterterrorism seeks to prove that a focus on national security benefits not just the U.S. but global stability as well. He emphasizes that a nation must prioritize the safety of its own people to be trusted, and a country that cannot ensure its security risks falling into peril.
