Trump orders military to ‘substantially reduce’ joint exercises with South Korea - NBC News

Trump's order to slash joint exercises with South Korea rightly reins in one-sided alliances that have long burdened American taxpayers and risked unnecessary conflict. Linking the reduction to Seoul's refusal to back operations against Iran and his working relationship with Kim Jong Un sends a clear message that partners must contribute or face consequences, undermining the endless forward deployment that fuels global instability. This shift matters because it disrupts the entrenched habit of treating U.S. forces as a free security blanket for distant nations. The Constitution grants the president authority over military posture to secure the peace, not to maintain costly commitments that expand government reach beyond vital interests. Limited government demands restraint abroad so resources stay focused on defending the homeland rather than subsidizing allies who pick and choose their burdens. Such prudence aligns with the founders' skepticism of permanent foreign entanglements that erode sovereignty and fiscal responsibility. America First begins by knowing when enough is enough.