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Sen. Elissa Slotkin Critiques Trump’s Foreign Policy Address
Senator Elissa Slotkin, a Democrat from Michigan, expressed strong criticism of President Donald Trump’s foreign policy following his recent address to Congress. Slotkin remarked that had Trump been in charge during the 1980s, the outcome of the Cold War would have been significantly different, suggesting that he would have failed to secure a victory.
Slotkin’s comments came in the wake of Trump’s address, which resembled the traditional State of the Union, where he proclaimed that “America is back” and the “American dream is surging.” She emphasized the importance of a fusion of military strength and moral clarity, referencing former President Ronald Reagan’s approach to foreign policy. “As a Cold War kid, I’m thankful it was Reagan and not Trump in office in the 1980s,” she stated. “Trump would have lost us the Cold War.”
Trump’s Vision for Peace in Ukraine
During his speech on March 5, 2025, Trump discussed his administration’s plans to bring an end to the war in Ukraine. He faced scrutiny from Slotkin regarding a recent exchange between Trump, Vice President JD Vance, and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, where they disagreed on the effectiveness of diplomacy in resolving the conflict. Trump and Vance criticized Zelenskyy for not expressing sufficient gratitude towards the United States, which Slotkin argued hindered peace negotiations and delayed a critical rare-earth minerals agreement between the U.S. and Ukraine.
Despite the friction, Trump announced during his address that Ukraine was prepared to resume peace talks and finalize a minerals agreement that would grant the U.S. access to crucial resources in return for continued support.
Slotkin pointed out that while Trump claims to pursue peace through strength—an idea put forth by Reagan—his recent interactions with Zelenskyy were “a spectacle” that would leave Reagan dismayed.
Concerns Over Government Workforce Cuts
Slotkin, who has a background as a CIA analyst and held positions within both the Bush and Obama administrations, also criticized the Trump administration’s efforts to reduce the federal workforce. She was particularly concerned about the arbitrary dismissal of employees responsible for national security and critical research. “The mindless firing of people who work to protect our nuclear weapons and find cures for diseases—only to rehire them two days later? No CEO could do that without facing substantial consequences,” Slotkin remarked.
The Trump administration had recently circulated a memo directing federal agencies to prepare for significant workforce reductions and revisit organizational structures by mid-March.
Room for Bipartisan Cooperation on Immigration
Slotkin indicated a willingness for bipartisan collaboration on immigration issues, despite Trump’s claim of launching “the most sweeping border and immigration crackdown in American history.” She noted, “Every country deserves to know who and what is coming across its border. Period,” asserting that this principle should garner support from both Republicans and Democrats.
Following Trump’s detailed funding request to Congress aimed at executing extensive deportations, Slotkin urged citizens to engage with their elected officials and hold them accountable. “Watch how they’re voting. Go to town halls and demand they take action,” she advised, describing civic engagement as an inherent part of American democracy.
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