Archive · 17 Aug 2026
Reed Slams Trump's Downsizing of US-South Korea Military Drills
The United States and South Korea are friends who practice their military together.
They have done these practice drills since the 1950s.
The drills are meant to keep everyone safe from North Korea.
President Trump decided to make the drills smaller.
He said the drills were not nice and that he likes North Korea's leader.
He also said South Korea did not help with another country, Iran.
A senator named Jack Reed thinks this is a bad idea.
He says it makes America look weak to its friends and enemies.
He worries North Korea's leader will be happy about this.
He also worries about North Korea's powerful missiles.
Senator Jack Reed criticized President Trump's decision to downsize US-South Korea joint military exercises, calling it 'inane' and 'haphazard.'
Trump announced the order on Truth Social hours before the drills were scheduled to begin, calling the maneuvers 'inappropriate and hostile.'
Trump cited his positive relationship with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un and dissatisfaction with South Korea over Iran denuclearisation.
Reed warned the move undermines national security, damages international relations, and hands Kim Jong Un a 'propaganda victory.'
Reed said the directive conflicts with intelligence warnings from Lt. Gen. Joseph Jarrard about North Korea's intercontinental ballistic missiles.
- Who
- Senator Jack Reed, President Donald Trump, North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, and Lt. Gen. Joseph Jarrard
- What
- Trump downsized scheduled US-South Korea joint military exercises, drawing sharp criticism from Senator Reed
- When
- Announced hours before the drills were scheduled to begin
- Where
- United States and South Korea
- Why
- Trump cited his positive relationship with Kim Jong Un and dissatisfaction with South Korea over Iran denuclearisation
Critics of the decision
Supporters of the decision
Downsizing military drills
Critics of the decision
Truncating the exercises undermines national security, damages international relations, and signals that US security guarantees are negotiable.
Supporters of the decision
The long-standing maneuvers are 'inappropriate and hostile,' and downsizing reflects Trump's positive personal relationship with Kim Jong Un.
Treatment of South Korea
Critics of the decision
Penalizing a partner country over an unrelated issue weakens alliances and gives adversaries like China and Russia a sign of weakening US commitments.
Supporters of the decision
South Korea refused to assist US efforts toward the denuclearisation of Iran, which justified Trump's dissatisfaction.
- Critic
- Senator Jack Reed, ranking member of the Senate Armed Services Committee
- Reed's characterization
- "Inane" and "haphazard"
- Trump's characterization
- "Inappropriate and hostile"
- Announcement platform
- Truth Social
- Timing
- Hours before drills were scheduled to begin
- Joint exercises history
- Maintained since the 1950s
- Intelligence warning
- North Korea tested ICBMs capable of delivering a nuclear payload anywhere in the US