Greenland Rejects Trump's Neocon Bullying

Trump campaigned on America First, a term coined in 1940 and which meant that the U.S. should not aid foreign countries or enter into foreign wars. America should mind its own business. America First never meant that we should be the world's bully, taking whatever was in our "national interest."

If "national interest" were the measure of morality, then the actions of any foreign conqueror could be justified as serving that nation's "national interest." Hitler thought it was in Germany's "national interest" to annex Poland and much of the east. Stalin thought it was in Russia's "national interest" to annex Poland, the Baltic states and Finland. Mao thought it was in China's "national interest" to annex Tibet.

And perhaps it was. But it was not moral.

The Neocon expansionists, with their vaunted "moral compass," might respond, "America's better than that -- so we have a right to behave the very same way."

Well, maybe not in such blatant words. But that's their argument. We're "good" because we don't behave like bad nations, so we have a right to behave like bad nations.

Silly, isn't it?

Trump's "America First" foreign policy is hardcore Neoconservatism. In addition to blanket support for Israel, Trump has called for the annexation of the Panama Canal, Gaza, Canada, and Greenland. I doubt he expects to annex Canada, but of all those territories, he seems most determined to take Greenland.

Yet the people of Greenland bravely responded "No" in their recent elections. Jakob Wiezman of Politico reports (March 12, 2025):

 

"Greenland had a message for Donald Trump as islanders went to the polls this week: thanks, but no thanks.

"The U.S. president’s repeated noises about acquiring the vast Arctic island — not ruling out military force or economic coercion — were rejected at the ballot box, as a party that denounced Trump’s ambitions came out on top.

"The opposition center-right Democrats party grabbed the most votes in a surprising national election result that saw the country’s governing coalition parties (the left-wing Inuit Ataqatigiit and center-left Siumut) edged out into third and fourth place, on a total of 28,620 votes cast (70 percent turnout).

But like the Godfather, Neocon Trump is determined to make Greenland an offer they can't refuse. Following the election, on March 13, Emily Goodin of the Daily Mail reports:

"President Donald Trump on Thursday reiterated the United States 'needs' Greenland for national security purposes and indicated he's willing to send in American troops to take control of the island.

'I think it'll happen,' the president said of annexing the island during his Oval Office meeting with NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte.

'We really needed for national security. I think that is why NATO might have to get involved anyway,' he added."

Ayn Rand famously said: "A need is not a claim."

I've met conservatives, libertarians, and Objectivists who love to cite Rand whenever an impoverished person seeks a handout. But when America (or Israel) demands or takes something because some leader says the nation "needs" it for their "national interest," these same Rand fans go silent.

I wish the people of Greenland well in their quest for independence -- from both Denmark and the United States. We demanded independence from Britain. Greenlanders are entitled to the same.

And I wish Trump would focus on putting America First (no foreign aid) but without the Neoconservatism (foreign conquests).

============

Trump Joins AIPAC in Trying to Oust Thomas Massie

Thomas Massie, a Republican Congressman from Kentucky, is one of the few elected Republicans who oppose all foreign aid -- even to Israel.

AIPAC tried to punish Massie by funding his opponent in the last election. AIPAC failed. The voters once again choose Massie.

Of Massie, The Nation 's John Nichols wrote (May 28, 2024):

[O]n matters of war and peace, he often sides with progressives, positioning himself as a libertarian-leaning Republican who opposes US military interventionism and military aid packages for foreign countries, including Israel. That stance has drawn sharp criticism from neoconservatives in general, who worry about the return of the sort of old-school Republican isolationism that reflexively opposed military interventions and foreign aid packages, and in particular from AIPAC, which has objected to his many votes against aid to Israel, as well as his rejection of resolutions backing Netanyahu’s government.

Now, Andrew Solender reports for Axios that Donald Trump has vowed to "lead the charge" to unseat Massie in the next election.

Trump makes no mention of Massie's opposition to funding Israel, but that doesn't mean it's not Trump's real motive. AIPAC likes to keep a low profile. When it funds ads opposing "anti-Israel" candidates, the ads generally make no mention of Israel. 

Reporting for Common Dreams, Eli Clifton writes (August 9, 2022):

Curiously though, the ads paid for by UDP [United Democracy Project], affiliated with the largest pro-Israel group in the country [AIPAC], don't mention the groups' central issue: Israel.

Like Ron Paul, Thomas Massie has a strong record on many libertarian issues, including foreign affairs. And that, for the Israel First lobby, is the problem.

======================

LNC Chair Steven Nekhaila Endorses Tulsi Gabbard as DNI Chair

Back in 2019, I praised Tulsi Gabbard as the best among the Democrats for her strong antiwar statements.

Today LNC Chair Steven Nekhaila "tweeted" his approval of Gabbard for Director of National Intelligence. Nekhaila said:

“I’m optimistic about Tulsi Gabbard stepping in as Director of National Intelligence. While no government position is perfect, her history of challenging the establishment and opposing endless wars gives me hope for a more restrained, accountable intelligence community. If she upholds transparency and resists the surveillance state, this could be a step toward restoring civil liberties. Time will tell, but at the very least, it’s a shake-up the deep state won’t like.”

===============

LNC Chair Steven Nekhaila Condemns Trump's Proposal to Seize Gaza

Libertarian National Committee Chair, Steven Nekhaila, has joined the New York LP in condemning Donald Trump's proposal for America to "own" Gaza. In a recent "tweet" on X, Nekhailia said:

"As Chairman of the Libertarian National Committee, I unequivocally condemn President Donald Trump’s recent proposal for the United States to take over the Gaza Strip and forcibly relocate its Palestinian residents to neighboring countries. This plan not only violates international law -- which prohibits forced displacement and the acquisition of territory by force -- but also disregards the fundamental rights and dignity of the Palestinian people.

"For decades, the Israeli lobby has exerted undue influence over American politics and foreign policy, steering decisions that often conflict with  the principles of liberty and non-interventionism that we, as Libertarians, hold dear. This influence has led to unwavering U.S. support for Israeli policies, even when they contravene international  norms and human rights standards.

"The costs of these misguided foreign entanglements have been catastrophic. The U.S. has spent trillions of dollars on wars and interventions that  have resulted in nothing but destruction and instability. The financial burden pales in comparison to the human toll: thousands of American service members have been killed or wounded, countless more suffer from  lifelong physical and psychological trauma, and millions of innocent civilians -- particularly in the Middle East -- have borne the brunt of these  reckless policies. The people of Iraq, Afghanistan, Libya, Syria, Yemen, and now Gaza have suffered immensely, not just at the hands of authoritarian regimes and terrorist organizations, but also as direct or  indirect victims of U.S. interventionism.

"The Libertarian Party stands firmly against using American taxpayer dollars to fund war and occupation. It is time to stop sending money and weapons overseas to fuel conflicts that do not serve our interests and that undermine our nation’s foundational principles of non-interventionism and self-determination.

"Furthermore, we strongly oppose any form of collective punishment against the  Palestinian population in Gaza, whether executed by the U.S. or the Israel Defense Forces. Such actions are not only morally reprehensible  but also counterproductive, as they exacerbate tensions and hinder the  prospects for a peaceful resolution.

"The Libertarian Party advocates for a foreign policy rooted in non-interventionism, respect for sovereignty, and the protection of  individual rights. We call upon the U.S. government to withdraw from entanglements that compromise these principles and to pursue diplomatic  avenues that uphold justice and liberty for all peoples."

=====================

Libertarian Party of New York Condemns Trump's Plan to Seize Gaza

Trump promised an America First foreign policy. Yet he seems to have gone full Neocon and is ushering in George W. Bush's third term.

Meanwhile the LPNY has issued the following "tweet" on X:

"The Libertarian Party of New York strongly condemns President Donald Trump’s reported plans for the United States to take control over the Gaza Strip. Such an intervention would be an unconstitutional, reckless, and unjustifiable expansion of American military and political power in a region where decades of intervention have only fueled instability and suffering.

"The United States government has no rightful authority to seize or govern foreign territory, nor should American taxpayers be forced to fund yet another endless entanglement in the Middle East. Any attempt to impose U.S. control over Gaza would be a blatant violation of national sovereignty, an invitation for further conflict, and a direct threat to the lives of both American service members and civilians in the region.

"The Libertarian Party of New York unequivocally opposes foreign interventionism, and President Trump’s reported plans to take over Gaza are a dangerous step toward yet another disastrous occupation. The United States should be pursuing peace and disengagement, not more imperial overreach.”

"We call on the American people and their representatives in Congress to reject any attempt to expand U.S. military presence in Gaza or any other foreign land. The path to peace lies in diplomacy, trade, and non-intervention—not in military control and nation-building."

================

Libertarian National Committee Calls to End Foreign Aid to Israel and Ukraine

This is a bit confusing. But apparently, on December 7, 2024, the LNC passed two resolutions. One calling to end foreign aid to Israel. Another calling to end foreign aid to Ukraine.

However, according to Third Party Watch, "Adoption was postponed until January so [LNC Chair] Angela [McArdle] can present it to the Trump administration."

Here are the two resolutions:

Resolution Urging the United States Congress to End Military Support to Israel and Cease Global Expenditure of U.S. Taxpayer Dollars

Whereas, continued U.S. military support to Israel exacerbates tensions in the Middle East, increasing the likelihood of a direct war with Iran that would unnecessarily drag the United States into another costly conflict;

Whereas, U.S. ties to Israel present significant conflicts of interest, especially through the lobbying efforts of the American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC), which perpetuate a deep-rooted influence on American politics to the detriment of U.S. sovereignty and the principles of non-interventionism;

Whereas, the Israeli government has committed acts that constitute genocide against innocent Palestinians in the Gaza Strip, including the use of excessive and indiscriminate military force that has resulted in significant civilian casualties;

Whereas, the Israeli Defense Force (IDF) has committed war crimes during its ongoing conflicts with Palestinians, actions that violate international human rights and humanitarian law;

Whereas, the Libertarian National Committee recognizes the atrocious acts committed by the IDF against the USS Liberty, an unprovoked and deliberate attack that killed 34 American servicemen and wounded 171 others, and condemns this act as both kinetic and philosophical in its assault on U.S. interests and principles;

Whereas, the United States government has recklessly spent taxpayer dollars on foreign military and domestic military industrial complex expenditures, placing an undue burden on the American people through taxation and inflation, violating the principles of fiscal responsibility;

Whereas, the Libertarian Party opposes foreign intervention, including military aid that perpetuates conflicts and undermines efforts to achieve peace in the Middle East;

Resolved, that the Libertarian National Committee calls upon the United States Congress to immediately cease all military aid and support to Israel, ending U.S. involvement in perpetuating conflicts in the Middle East;

Resolved, that the Libertarian National Committee condemns the actions of the Israeli government, including its genocide of Palestinians in the Gaza Strip, its war crimes, and its persistent violations of international law;

Resolved, that the Libertarian National Committee specifically condemns the lobbying efforts of AIPAC and its undue influence on American politics, calling for the severing of ties that compromise U.S. independence and sovereignty;

Resolved, that the Libertarian National Committee calls for a formal recognition and public condemnation of the Israeli Defense Force’s attack on the USS Liberty as an act of aggression against the United States;

Resolved, that the Libertarian National Committee urges the United States Congress to cease the global expenditure of U.S. taxpayer dollars, instead cutting those expenditures from the Federal budget and removing the burden on the American people;

Resolved, that the Libertarian Party commits to advocating for a foreign policy based on non-interventionism, respect for sovereignty, and peaceful diplomacy, urging the U.S. government to prioritize the interests of the American people over foreign entanglements.

=================

Resolution Urging the United States Congress and the Incoming Trump Administration to Halt Military Involvement in Ukraine to Prevent Nuclear Escalation

Whereas, the single greatest threat to the survival of humanity is nuclear Armageddon, and current U.S. foreign policy dangerously escalates tensions with nuclear-armed nations;

Whereas, the Biden Administration’s recent decision to greenlight the use of long-range weapons capable of striking deep inside Russia has violated explicit red lines set by Russian leadership, significantly increasing the risk of global nuclear war;

Whereas, such provocative actions unnecessarily endanger the lives of the American people and the entire Western world by escalating conflicts to a point of no return;

Whereas, NATO, as an entangling alliance, obligates the United States to commitments in Europe that risk dragging the nation into a broader war, potentially escalating to a nuclear confrontation;

Whereas, continued U.S. military aid to Ukraine prolongs the conflict and undermines efforts for a peaceful resolution, contributing to an unnecessary loss of life and destruction;

Whereas, the Libertarian Party opposes foreign intervention and advocates for diplomacy and trade as tools to foster peace and avoid catastrophic war;

Whereas, the United States government’s reckless spending of taxpayer dollars diverts resources away from American citizens through coercive taxation and destructive inflation;

Resolved, that the Libertarian National Committee calls upon the United States Congress and the incoming Trump Administration to immediately cease all weapons shipments and military support to Ukraine, ending U.S. involvement in a conflict that risks nuclear escalation;

Resolved, that the Libertarian National Committee recognizes NATO as an entangling alliance that places undue commitments on the United States, dragging the nation toward potential wars in Europe and beyond;

Resolved, that the Libertarian National Committee urges Congress to prioritize diplomacy and peaceful negotiations to resolve the conflict in Ukraine and de-escalate tensions with nuclear-armed nations;

Resolved, that the Libertarian National Committee condemns the reckless actions of the federal government that escalate the risk of nuclear war and enrich the military-industrial complex at the expense of global peace and American safety;

Resolved, that the Libertarian National Committee calls upon Congress to cease the use of taxpayer dollars for foreign military aid, reduce federal spending by the corresponding amount, and lower the overall tax burden on American citizens accordingly;

Resolved, that the Libertarian Party reaffirms its commitment to advocating for a foreign policy based on non-interventionism, respect for sovereignty, and peaceful diplomacy.

===============

Wayne Allyn Root Flip Flops on Gays, Yet Again

One of my many complaint against Wayne Allyn Root, when he ran for the LP presidential nomination in 2008, was that he was a weather vane. Most of his principles kept changing, and changing back, depending on which position currently appeared to be in his political and financial best interest.

Root was an opportunist who stood for nothing.

He hasn't changed. He's now claiming credit for "masterminding" Donald Trump's appearance and speech at the 2024 LNC national convention. During his boasting, Root mocked the convention's nomination of Oliver Chase, of whom he said, "To spite Trump, the next day, they named a woke, ultra-left, gay presidential nominee."

Not that, contextually, Root is using the term "gay" as an insult.

So is Root anti-gay?

Yet in 2008, when he was courting the LP presidential nomination, Root marched with gay Libertarians in a San Francisco Pride Parade. I reported that in the September 2008 issue of California Freedom.

As I wrote at the time:

When Wayne Allyn Root first announced his run for the presidency less than two years ago, his position was that marriage was between a man and a woman. Later, like Bob Barr, Root claimed to have evolved toward a more libertarian position on gay rights. At the Denver convention, he promised Outright Libertarians (OL) that he would back his philosophical evolution with visible support.

Last June, Root made good on his promise, marching with OL in the San Francisco Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Pride Parade and Celebration, held on June 28 and 29.

OL national chair Rob Power said that OL fielded "about a dozen" marchers, and that overall parade and festival attendance was at 1.2 million according to Wikipedia.

================