Hegseth claims Monroe Doctrine is 'stronger than ever' with Trump's Corollary

During his keynote at the Reagan National Defense Forum in California, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth declared that the Monroe Doctrine remains active and is now "stronger than ever" due to the Trump Corollary, a component added in the latest National Security Strategy under President Donald Trump.

"The Department of Defense is prepared to take precise and decisive actions that advance U.S. interests," Hegseth stated on Saturday. "This is the Trump Corollary to the Monroe Doctrine, now explicitly codified in the National Security Strategy. After years of neglect, the United States will restore military dominance in the Western Hemisphere to safeguard our homeland and maintain access to key regional territories."

He emphasized that the U.S. will prevent adversaries from deploying forces or establishing threatening capabilities within the hemisphere.

"Previous administrations treated the Monroe Doctrine as obsolete," Hegseth added. "They were mistaken. The doctrines enforcement is a practical reaffirmation of our influence and prerogatives in the Western Hemisphere, aligned with American interests."

The Monroe Doctrine and the Trump Corollary

The National Security Strategy released this week states that the U.S. will reassert the Monroe Doctrine to reaffirm American leadership in the Western Hemisphere and protect strategic access points. The Trump Corollary specifically aims to prevent external powers from controlling critical regional assets or establishing military presence.

The Monroe Doctrine, originally articulated by President James Monroe to Congress on December 2, 1823, warned European powers against interference in the Americas, following the War of 1812.

The Trump Corollary outlines objectives for the Western Hemisphere, particularly in Latin America. These include collaborating with regional allies to manage migration, curb drug trafficking, and enhance stability on land and at sea, while also building new partnerships and promoting the U.S. as the preferred economic and security partner.

Stephen Rabe, emeritus history professor at the University of Texas-Dallas, described this as a move to reassert U.S. dominance in Latin America. Observers have noted it represents a form of modern imperialism, emphasizing American military and political influence in the region.

Part of the corollary includes targeted military deployments to secure borders and combat drug cartels, potentially using lethal force where previous law enforcement-only approaches failed. This strategy coincides with an increased U.S. military presence in the Caribbean amid threats related to Venezuela and drug trafficking.

Controversy Over Military Actions

These operations, especially strikes against vessels accused of carrying drugs, have drawn criticism from Latin American leaders and members of Congress. Hegseth defended the actions, asserting that the President "can and will take decisive military action as he sees fit." However, some lawmakers have raised concerns about potential violations of international law.

In a recent congressional hearing, Rep. Jim Himes described the military's authority to carry out a second strike on survivors of an earlier attack as deeply troubling. Two individuals were killed while clinging to a damaged vessel, unable to escape. Sen. Rand Paul also criticized the actions, arguing that accused drug traffickers should not be killed without due process.

Author: Logan Reeves