COLUMBUS, Ohio — As a veteran with cross-border combat experience, I recognize the importance of global partnerships in securing our nation. Last month’s United Nations summit on governance and safety underscored the need for strong leadership in addressing international and national security. This makes it essential to address the recent remarks by former President and Republican nominee Donald Trump at the Detroit Economic Club.
In the speech, Trump claimed he “had no wars” as president (untrue, U.S. servicemembers were still dying in Afghanistan and in a range of other combat deployments, from Syria to Yemen) and that he “finished off ISIS pretty quickly,” also untrue. Islamic State terrorists were behind the 2021 suicide attack at Kabul airport that killed 13 U.S. service members during the Afghanistan withdrawal Trump himself agreed to undertake in a deal his administration cut with the Taliban.
Trump, who spoke about Chinese leader Xi Jinping in the speech as “a good friend,” also bragged about his threat as president not to honor NATO’s self-defense guarantee for nations that didn’t increase their military spending — suggesting he’d up that ante if elected.
The comments have revived anxieties about Trump’s suitability for leadership amid global challenges.
The 2024 Global Peace Index (GPI) reports that the number of countries in conflict is at its highest since the end of World War II, with 56 active conflicts and 92 countries involved beyond their borders. The GPI warns of heightened risks of major conflicts without coordinated global efforts — a goal Trump’s leadership would undermine. The report notes that 2023 saw a significant deterioration in global security, driven by the conflicts in Gaza and Ukraine, resulting in more than 162,000 conflict-related deaths. The economic impact of violence surged to $19.1 trillion, or 13.5% of global GDP, a severe economic and human toll, with millions displaced in Africa and the Middle East, disrupting worldwide safety.
Journalist Bob Woodward revealed in his latest book that Trump and Putin have had as many as seven private phone conversations since Trump left office — a charge Trump denies. This relationship is worrisome, given Trump’s praise of Putin as a “genius” for invading Ukraine. Putin’s war continues to cause immense destruction, loss of life, and displacement, making the former U.S. leader’s admiration of Putin especially troubling.
The ex-president’s continued attacks on NATO also are alarming. By stating he will not defend members failing to meet defense-spending targets, he is undoing decades of cooperation that have deterred aggressors like Putin. Weakening the alliance while Russia’s invasion threatens NATO’s borders will further embolden Putin and other authoritarian regimes.
Trump’s tributes to Putin, Kim Jong Un, and Xi undermine U.S. security policies and strain alliances. Supporting authoritarian figures who reject democratic values complicates efforts to resolve conflicts. At a time of escalating humanitarian crises in Gaza, Ukraine, Sudan, Myanmar, and Yemen, leadership that upholds constitutional norms is critical.
Beyond geopolitics, the former president’s mishandling of classified documents advances grave red flags about the security of our military and allies. His claims of a “standing order” to declassify documents, coupled with the careless storage of highly sensitive national security information, pose significant risks. In an era of frequent conflict, such recklessness will have grave consequences for U.S. warfighters and our international partners.
The ex-president’s contempt for the military is equally concerning. His reported remarks, calling fallen service members “suckers” and “losers,” are deeply offensive and hurtful to those of us who have lost family and friends in service. Military members risk their lives, trusting leaders to act with honor. Disrespecting those who serve erodes the moral authority of the presidency and the trust needed for military leadership.
The 2024 election is more than a policy choice — it is a referendum on the integrity of our nation and the future of global norms. Trump’s actions threaten the alliances, values, and security systems that protect the United States and its partners. As global security worsens, the stakes could not be higher.
Scott W. Patton is Columbus real estate developer, a veteran and member of a Gold Star family.
This election, I will choose leaders whose loyalty to the country is unquestionable, who put American lives first, respect alliances, uphold constitutional principles, and prioritize national security. Trump’s reported ongoing relationship with Putin even after his presidential term ended advances grave alarms about his priorities and how his decisions could affect global safekeeping.
It’s crucial to reject those who, through falsehoods and divisive rhetoric, threaten our democracy. It is time to turn the page on unpredictability and chaos. The path forward requires new leadership. As Abraham Lincoln once said, we must honor those who “gave the last full measure of devotion” in sacrificing their lives to protect the Union. I will honor their devotion by voting to protect our republic this November.
Scott W. Patton is a member of a Gold Star family and combat veteran. He is a real estate developer in Columbus
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