President Donald Trump has capitulated to neocons in his administration by vetoing a resolution that would end U.S. military involvement in the Yemeni Civil War.
Another blow to the America First non-interventionism, Trump has slowly lost control of his foreign policy and has let neocons and Saudi Arabian interests dictate his moves.
The bill, H.J.Res.37, passed both chambers of Congress but does not have enough votes to override Trump’s veto. This legislation would have used the War Powers Resolution to end all foreign aid doled out to Saudi coalition fighting against Houthi rebels in Yemen.
Trump defended this decision, stating that “This resolution is an unnecessary, dangerous attempt to weaken my constitutional authorities, endangering the lives of American citizens and brave service members, both today and in the future.”
Senators like Mike Lee and Rand Paul courageously stood up for a restrained foreign policy by voting for this resolution. They have been two of the fiercest opponents of this action in Yemen.
A few months ago Lee tweeted, “If the Pentagon insists on perpetuating a senseless, unauthorized war first launched by President Obama…to appease Saudi Arabia, the White House must persuade majorities of the House and Senate to approve of U.S. hostilities against Yemen’s Houthis.”
“If the Pentagon insists on perpetuating a senseless, unauthorized war first launched by President Obama…to appease Saudi Arabia, the White House must persuade majorities of the House and Senate to approve of U.S. hostilities against Yemen’s Houthis.“ https://t.co/AaU3uZr6dO
— Mike Lee (@SenMikeLee) March 19, 2018
Paul has made clear that he will continue drafting legislation to end this conflict.
The Kentucky Senator said “I will continue to press for legislation to stop the Saudi arms sales and the war in Yemen.”
I will continue to press for legislation to stop the Saudi arms sales and the war in Yemen.
— Senator Rand Paul (@RandPaul) November 20, 2018
This veto has been disheartening for America First advocates.
Trump was elected to end foreign conflicts and eschew further foreign policy interventions.
However, the neocons in Trump’s administration have other plans. Under Secretary of State Mike Pompeo’s control of the State Department, the U.S. government has kept hawkish stances on Iran and Venezuela.
Further, national security adviser John Bolton was instrumental in derailing Trump’s denuclearization negotiations with North Korean dictator Kim Jong-Un.
Although no new wars have been declared, Trump’s inability to control the neocons in the Executive Branch has left many non-interventionists worried.
