Trump Slams Ex-Presidents for Weakening America's Military and Economy

President Donald Trump announced a new national security strategy Monday which will fulfill his campaign promise of putting America first.

“This National Security Strategy puts America first,” the first few pages of the document read. “We are prioritizing the interests of our citizens and protecting our sovereign rights as a nation.”

During his speech announcing the plan, Trump discussed the short comings of previous president’s national security plans, blaming them for weakening the economy and the military.

“To seize the opportunities of the future, we must first understand the failures of the past,” Trump said, according to the Washington Examiner.

With the strategy that I announced today, we are declaring that AMERICA is in the game and AMERICA is DETERMINED to WIN!

OUR FOUR PILLARS OF NATIONAL SECURITY STRATEGY: pic.twitter.com/B3POaMVID8

— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) December 18, 2017

President Trump is unveiling a new National Security Strategy that sets a positive strategic direction for the United States that will restore America’s advantages in the world and build upon our country’s great strengths. Read more: https://t.co/i5EedkmJdM pic.twitter.com/u8RjLNKSJb

— The White House (@WhiteHouse) December 18, 2017

“Our leaders engaged in nation-building abroad, while they failed to build up and replenish our nation at home,” Trump said during the speech. “They undercut and shortchanged our men and women in uniform with inadequate resources, unstable funding and unclear missions.”

He also condemned past presidents for not successfully dealing with North Korea and ISIS, according to the New York Post.

“They neglected a nuclear menace in North Korea; made a disastrous, weak and incomprehensibly bad deal with Iran; and allowed terrorists such as ISIS to gain control of vast parts of territory,” Trump said.

The document also lists China and Russia as other rivals for the United States in the “contest for power,” CNBC reported.

“China and Russia challenge American power, influence, and interests, attempting to erode American security and prosperity,” the strategy reads.

Trump also blamed past administrations for throttling American energy consumption by placing “American energy under lock and key,” and hurting the economy by imposing “punishing regulations and crippling taxes.”

“Our strategy is to advance American influence in the world, but this begins with building up our wealth and power at home,” Trump said.

Trump claimed his administration has made progress to deal with the issues of the past since his inauguration on Jan. 20.

“We are rebuilding our nation, our confidence and our standing in the world,” Trump said. “For the first time ever, our national security strategy includes … building a wall on our southern border, ending chain migration, and the horrible visa and lottery programs.”

Trump insisted his “America First” strategy will help prevent a war and protect the country. The current tax code and regulatory system are also security threats that Trump will address.

“A nation not prepared to win a war is a nation not capable of preventing a war,” he said. “A nation that does not protect prosperity at home, cannot protect its interests abroad.”

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