The heated argument that erupted in the Oval Office between President Donald J. Trump, V.P. James D. Vance, and the President of Ukraine, Volodymyr Zelenskyy, sparked widespread reactions among the public and raised questions about how this war will conclude with Trump now holding office. The live broadcast depicts President Trump and his Vice President, J.D. Vance, berating the President of Ukraine like common schoolyard bullies, while Zelenskyy navigates the farce of a conversation with poise and patience, representing his nation’s struggles and correcting Vance’s vacuous comments.
However, this broadcast does more than expose the immaturity of our leaders; it prompts reflection on America’s current role. Does America function as an isolationist country, concerned only with events within its borders, or as a shining beacon of democracy, responsible for changing the world for the better? President Trump appears to view America as a business; therefore, its only concern is ending its foreign engagements with a profit. That sentiment, unfortunately, appears to be one of few our President is consistent on.
As of February 1, 2025, our President initiated a trade war with longtime allies, Canada and Mexico, by imposing a virtually universal 25% tariff on goods imported from those countries. Trump’s rhetoric and actions regarding allies may force Europe to reconsider its reliance on the United States for continued sustainment. We face a future where America severs friendly ties and countries with sufficient power, like Russia, assert dominance endlessly without checks to their authority.
The fault does not rest solely on the President, however. Americans demonstrate wild inconsistency in their stance on the United States’ direction in foreign affairs. World War II inspired the idea that we, as a nation, should leverage our ample resources to assist others in need. Since then, numerous instances have involved us deploying humanitarian and developmental aid to improve lives and stabilize nations. However, stemming from the consequences of the War on Terror, an increasing sentiment among Americans advocates for closing ourselves off from the world, ignoring cries from across the seas, and focusing solely on what’s right in front of us.
The public must recognize that while past actions may contain errors, they should not discourage future pursuits of good. America must decide what it seeks to represent on the global stage—an isolationist country with no allies or a beacon of progress and freedom. Many, including myself, hope we make the right choice.
