It was recently revealed that Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth, the self-styled Secretary of War, wanted a large globe owned by President Dwight D. Eisenhower to be moved into his office at the Pentagon. In doing so, Hegseth’s team damaged the globe. This event offers an important metaphor for how Hegseth and the Trump Administration are damaging the world that President Eisenhower worked to create and preserve.
Eisenhower led the coalition of Allied forces in the European Theater during World War II. Believing that military officers should remain nonpartisan, he never voted until he became a politician. Yet he was actively recruited by both Democrats and Republicans after the war. Indeed, Harry Truman even offered to run as his vice president in 1948 if Ike ran for the presidency as the Democratic nominee. Refusing this offer, along with offers from the Republicans, Eisenhower instead opted to retire. He took the position of president of Columbia University in 1948. However, he returned to duty to become the first Supreme Allied Commander of Europe (NATO forces) in December 1950.
In doing so, Eisenhower showed his dedication to the idea that the United States was safest when it led an international alliance of like-minded democracies. He doubled down on this when it became clear that Republican Robert Taft might become the next President of the United States in 1952 (Truman had become unpopular due to the Korean War). Taft was an isolationist and opposed the relatively new NATO alliance. Eisenhower stepped in to prevent Taft’s ascension and NATO’s demise. Winning more than 55% of the popular vote, Eisenhower went on to serve two terms as president.
During these eight years, Eisenhower strengthened NATO and went on to create two similar defensive military alliances: the Southeast Asia Treaty Organization (SEATO) and the Central Treaty Organization (CENTO). In doing so, Eisenhower laid the foundation for an activist American foreign policy intent on safeguarding democratic nations from authoritarian foes. NATO protected North America and Western Europe; SEATO protected American allies in the Pacific; CENTO protected American allies in the Middle East. Although not every interaction with key allies was rosy (such as Eisenhower’s decision to oppose the British and French in the Suez Crisis), America’s friends knew that the U.S. had their backs.
U.S. commitment to defending democracy around the world was also not in doubt under Eisenhower. He sent aid to South Vietnam after the French withdrawal. He deployed the U.S. Navy and other military forces to Taiwan when communist China bombarded two small islands under Taiwanese control. Although he pressured South Korea to agree to an armistice, he made it clear to the world that South Korea’s independence was backed by American might.
In contrast, Trump and Hegseth seem to be doing the opposite. They have eroded the trust of NATO allies. When pressed, NATO leaders still believe that America will adhere to its Article 5 commitments of defending any attacked member. However, there is hesitation. During Eisenhower’s era, the answer was an unequivocal “Yes.” Today, the answer is, “Yes, but…” or “Yes, if…” The Canadian Prime Minister has stated outright, “Let me be direct: We are in the midst of a rupture, not a transition (of the world order).” Additionally, the administration has flip-flopped in supporting Ukraine — berating its leader in the Oval Office one day, sending military aid and intelligence support on another day. Hegseth has also attempted multiple times to politicize the military, the most public attempt being an all-hands meeting of virtually every flag officer (those wearing stars) in all branches of the military.
Michael Szalma is a professor of history at Valencia College.
– Original Credit: Courtesy photo
It is also symbolic that when first questioned about Ike’s broken globe, Hegseth’s team denied it was damaged — claiming it was a replica. The truth bore out, revealing Hegseth’s inability to take personal responsibility. Contrast this to Eisenhower’s letter that he drafted in case the Normandy invasion of June 6, 1944 (D-Day) failed, in which he would have taken personal responsibility for its failure.
Voters should keep Ike’s globe in mind this election cycle and the next. Republican Eisenhower worked to create and maintain a world safer for democracies, with the United States as lead. His Republican successors, Trump and Hegseth, now work to break it.
Michael Szalma is a professor of history at Valencia College.