REPORTAGE. If there is a battle to be fought, it is in our republic: in the United States, Donalds supporters

Donald Trump’s speeches are ongoing, raising the idea of a ground military intervention in Iran. This option is rejected by the “Maga” base, the Republican supporters of the American president.

President Donald Trump is raising doubts about a possible ground military intervention in Iran. Officially, he is still giving diplomacy a chance. In the United States, the idea of an American operation is not well received by the public: over 60% of Americans are against it, with only 12% in favor, according to some polls. Republican lawmakers also have differing views.

According to polls, between 80 and 90% of Republican voters support the president’s actions in the Middle East. But this support is slowly diminishing, and it has its limits. This was highlighted at the CPAC (Conservative Political Action Conference) in Texas last week. The famous “Maga” base, for “Make America Great Again,” the avid supporters of Donald Trump, showed more division.

On-site, many activists approve of war, but some, especially the young ones, express their doubts. “The priority should be America and not a distant and costly conflict,” says America First. When the idea of sending troops on the ground is brought up, skepticism is even more evident.

During the recording of his show in public, former Donald Trump advisor Steve Bannon posed this question: “If you spoke to President Trump this morning, how many of you would tell him: ‘Finish what we started’?” The audience did not show great enthusiasm.

Attendees are even more cautious when Steve Bannon questions them about moving towards Tehran. Aaron is in the front row. Clad in a black leather jacket, arms covered in tattoos, he wears pro-Trump badges but does not support sending American troops on the ground. “We have been bogged down for twenty years, pouring our blood and money into distant lands. I am first and foremost an American citizen and I believe that if there is a battle to be fought, it is here, in our republic, on our shores,” Aaron states.

“President Trump shows our strength without actually having to, I hope, deploy it and uses it as a means of leverage.”

Aaron, Donald Trump supporter

via franceinfo

“What we cannot afford is the opportunity cost associated with sending men and women abroad to protect the blood and wealth of another country. We must do it for our country,” Aaron adds.

Another country, namely Israel. This is becoming an increasingly prominent topic within the American right, looming in the background of the debate on the war in Iran: have the United States been dragged into war by Israel? Many activists are questioning this. If soldiers were to be sent on the ground in Iran tomorrow, the risk of casualties among the troops would significantly increase. The war would become even more unpopular, and this debate on Israel’s influence would gain more importance.