Why the Trump Administration Will Struggle to Make National Security Policy

Chris, Melanie, and Zack launch their first Stimson-hosted Net
Assessment show with a look at policymaking in the Trump
administration. What are the major areas of consensus and
disagreement within the administration? Through what lens will
policy makers look at challenges such as China? And is a lack of
ideological coherence a net positive or negative? Grievances for
House GOP leaders playing games with the calendar to avoid a
tough vote; for DOGE’s spending cuts that won’t drive the savings
they claim, but that are creating havoc; and (again) for the
Navy’s troubled Constellation frigate. Attas to Princeton
President Christopher L. Eisgruber for standing up for academic
freedom; for President Trump’s executive orders on the maritime
industrial base and acquisition reform; and to Deputy DNI for
Mission Integration William Ruger. And a bonus attagirl to our
biggest fan: Melanie’s mom!


Links:


Tanner Greer, “Obscurity by Design: Competing Priorities for
America’s China Policy,” Foreign Policy Research Institute, March
27, 2025.

Ross Douthat, “Trump Is on a Path to Failure,” New York
Times, April 12, 2025.

“Gambling on Armageddon: Costs and Risks of Nuclear
Modernization,” Online Event, Stimson Center, May 1, 2025, 2-3 pm
ET

Joseph Trevithick, “First Constellation Frigate Only 10%
Complete, Design Still Being Finalized,” TWZ, April 10, 2025

Alistair MacDonald and Gordon Lubold, “The Warship That Shows
Why the U.S. Navy Is Falling Behind China,” Wall Street Journal,
March 20, 2025

Emma Ashford, “Foreign Policy Is Much More than a Liberal vs.
Conservative Brawl,” War on the Rocks, March 13, 2020

Kenza Bryan and Demitri Sevastopulo, "Donald Trump Plans to
Stockpile Deep-Sea Critical Metals to Counter
China," Financial Times, April 12, 2025. 

Arthur Delaney, Igor Bobic, and Jennifer Bendery, "GOP
Changes House Rules to Prevent Themselves from Blocking Trump's
Tariffs," HuffPost, April 9, 2025. 

Erin Banco, Gram Slattery, and Humeyra Pamuk, "Trump Envoy's
Embrace of Russian Demands Worries Republicans, US Allies,"
Reuters, April 12, 2025. 

“The University President Willing to Fight Trump,” The Daily,
New York Times, April 9, 2925.