In the final weeks of the Biden administration, the White House faces significant backlash over reports that President Joe Biden has authorized Ukraine to use American-made long-range missiles to target deep inside Russian territory. Critics, including President-elect Donald Trump’s eldest son, Donald Trump Jr., have accused the outgoing administration of recklessly escalating the conflict between Ukraine and Russia, a move they claim could bring the world to the brink of a catastrophic global war.
Donald Trump Jr., known for his outspoken rhetoric, took to X (formerly Twitter) on November 17 to lambaste the Biden administration’s reported decision. “The Military Industrial Complex seems to want to make sure they get World War 3 going before my father has a chance to create peace and save lives,” he wrote. “Gotta lock in those $Trillions. Life be damned!!! Imbeciles!” Trump Jr.’s comments reflect the broader skepticism within the Trump camp toward what they view as the unchecked influence of defense contractors and lobbyists on US foreign policy.
As President-elect Trump prepares to take office on January 20, his son has played a key role in shaping public perceptions of his administration’s priorities, particularly regarding foreign policy. The Trump campaign has repeatedly criticized the Biden administration’s approach to Ukraine, framing it as an unnecessary entanglement that places American interests second to those of European allies and Kyiv.
The Biden administration’s reported reversal on restricting Ukraine’s use of ATACMS missiles-long-range precision weapons capable of reaching deep into Russian territory-has raised eyebrows among policymakers and commentators alike. Previously, the White House had prohibited Ukraine from deploying these weapons inside Russia, citing concerns over potential Russian retaliation and the risk of escalating the conflict to a direct confrontation between NATO and Moscow.
The timing of the decision, if confirmed, is notable. With just two months left in office, the Biden administration’s move is seen by critics as a last-ditch effort to strengthen Ukraine’s military position before President-elect Trump assumes office. Trump has been vocal about his intent to prioritize diplomacy over continued military aid to Ukraine, vowing to resolve the conflict within months of his inauguration.
Charlie Kirk, founder of the conservative group Turning Point USA, echoed Trump Jr.’s sentiments, calling the decision “pathological and totally insane.” On X, Kirk wrote: “US weaponry should NOT be used to fire into the interior of Russia! Imagine if Russia supplied missiles to fire into America!”
Moscow has consistently warned that allowing Western-made weapons to target Russian territory would be tantamount to NATO directly entering the conflict. Russian President Vladimir Putin has stated unequivocally that such actions would provoke “appropriate decisions in response to the threats,” raising fears of an expanded war that could draw in other nations.
The Biden administration’s reported decision could also undermine NATO unity, with some member states likely to question the wisdom of actions that risk provoking Russia. Moreover, it further complicates the incoming Trump administration’s efforts to recalibrate US foreign policy toward Ukraine and Russia.
The Republican Party, buoyed by Trump’s victory in the November 5 presidential election, has coalesced around an “America First” foreign policy platform that rejects prolonged foreign wars. Representative Marjorie Taylor Greene, a staunch Trump ally, criticized Biden’s decision as both reckless and against the will of the American people.
“On his way out of office, Joe Biden is dangerously trying to start WWIII by authorizing Ukraine the use of US long-range missiles into Russia,” Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene wrote on X. “The American people gave a mandate on Nov 5th against these exact America-last decisions and do NOT want to fund or fight foreign wars.”
This sentiment reflects a growing unease among Americans regarding the perceived prioritization of foreign conflicts over domestic issues. Trump and his allies have seized on this discontent, arguing that Biden’s foreign policy failures are emblematic of a broader neglect of American interests.
Critics also accuse Biden of deliberately escalating the conflict to create challenges for the incoming Trump administration. Venture capitalist David Sacks suggested that Biden’s actions might be aimed at undermining Trump’s ability to pursue a peaceful resolution to the war.
“President Trump won a clear mandate to end the war in Ukraine,” David Sacks wrote on X. “So what does Biden do in his final two months in office? Massively escalate it. Is his goal to hand Trump the worst situation possible?”
Elon Musk, the billionaire entrepreneur and owner of X, added his voice to the chorus of criticism. Retweeting a post from Senator Mike Lee that declared, “Libs love war” and “War facilitates bigger government,” Musk simply wrote, “True.”
As the Biden administration reportedly shifts its policy on Ukraine, the implications for US-Russia relations and global stability remain uncertain. If the reports are accurate, the decision to allow Ukraine to strike Russian territory could escalate tensions to a dangerous new level, with potentially catastrophic consequences.
For the incoming Trump administration, navigating the fallout from Biden’s final decisions will be a critical early test. Trump has promised to prioritize diplomacy, emphasizing his ability to broker deals and restore stability. Whether his administration can succeed in de-escalating the conflict while maintaining American credibility remains to be seen.
In the meantime, Biden’s reported move underscores the deep divisions in American politics over foreign policy. For Trump’s supporters, the decision is yet another example of what they view as the outgoing administration’s reckless disregard for American lives and interests. For Biden’s allies, it may represent a commitment to standing with Ukraine against Russian aggression, even in the face of political opposition.
Either way, the stakes could not be higher. With the world watching, the actions of both administrations in the coming months will shape the trajectory of the Ukraine conflict-and perhaps the global order-for years to come.
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