| 'LOOK WHAT HAPPENED. IS THIS CRAZY?': When former President Donald Trump strode on stage in West Palm Beach, Florida, in the 2 o'clock hour to the strains of Lee Greenwood's "God Bless The USA" and accompanied by his family and campaign staff, he looked relaxed and ready as he exulted in his historic election to a second term as president. "Look what happened. Is this crazy?" Trump said, and even though he had predicted an easy victory, he still seemed surprised by the magnitude of the moment. "This was, I believe, the greatest political movement of all time." Most major news organizations had not yet called the race for him at that hour. However, the handwriting was on the wall as big and bold as his famous signature: Trump was cruising to a clear Electoral College victory and a 51% popular vote win with a roughly five million vote margin. There would be no legal challenges, storming of the Capitol, or allegations of cheating or stolen elections. The ghosts of his past had been vanquished by an electorate that overwhelmingly and enthusiastically endorsed his MAGA vision of America. "There's never been anything like this in this country," Trump told the jubilant crowd. "Now it's going to reach a new level of importance because we're going to help our country heal." TRUMP DECLARES VICTORY WITH HISTORIC ELECTION NIGHT SPEECH: READ IN FULL 'I'M GOING TO STOP WARS': With Republicans poised to hold the House and take control of the Senate, Trump will effectively have prepotency over all three branches of government and, with it, the freedom to enact all the policies he's been touting on the campaign trail for months, which he called "a common core of common sense." "We're the party of common sense. We want to have borders, we want to have security. We want to have things be good, safe. We want great education. We want a strong and powerful military, and ideally, we don't have to use it." Trump said in his victory speech. "You know, we had no wars — four years. We had no wars, except we defeated ISIS. We defeated ISIS in record time, but we had no wars. They said, he will start a war. I'm not going to start a war. I'm going to stop wars." Trump has promised to broker a peace deal to end the war in Ukraine, even before he retakes office, and Sen. J.D. Vance (R-OH), now the presumptive vice-president elect, has said that will require Ukraine to give up territory, now under Russia occupation. Trump, as he resumes his role as commander in chief, has also vowed to fire all the "woke generals" at the Pentagon, which presages an end to all diversity initiatives in the military, as well as the possible resurrection of his first-term effort to ban transgender troops from the military. DONALD TRUMP CLAIMS VICTORY AND TO 'FOR YOUR FAMILY AND YOUR FUTURE' PROJECT 2025 BACK IN PLAY: One of the first people to formally congratulate Trump, was Heritage Foundation President Kevin Roberts, who wrote the forward to Heritage's Project 2025 playbook, Mandate for Leadership, published in April of 2023, which contains a "menu of policy suggestions" to "take down the Deep State and return the government to the people." "Despite the lies of the ruling elites, who told Americans that they were 'garbage' or 'fascist' for wanting to put America First, the workers and families who make up our nation stood firm," Roberts said in a 2 a.m. statement. "The entire conservative movement stands united behind him as he prepares to secure our wide-open border, restore the rule of law, put parents back in charge of their children's education, restore America to its proper place as a leader in manufacturing, put families and children first, and dismantle the deep state." During the campaign, Trump had distanced himself from Project 2025, but in his remarks this morning, he echoed some of its themes. "This will forever be remembered as the day the American people regained control of their country," Trump said. "I will govern by a simple motto: It's promises made, promises kept." The playbook chapter on the Pentagon, written by Trump's last acting defense secretary, Christopher Miller, called for bigger defense budgets, more nuclear weapons, an effective defense to deny China the ability to invade Taiwan, and more burden-sharing with European and Asian-Pacific allies. But it also contained a long list of changes aimed at rooting out what the document calls "woke culture warriors." "The DOD is also a deeply troubled institution," Miller writes. "Historically, the military has been one of America's most trusted institutions, but years of sustained misuse, a two-tiered culture of accountability that shields senior officers and officials while exposing junior officers and soldiers in the field, wasteful spending, wildly shifting security policies, exceedingly poor discipline in program execution, and (most recently) the Biden administration's profoundly unserious equity agenda and vaccine mandates have taken a serious toll." Here are some of the policy changes it proposes to "eliminate politicization, reestablish trust and accountability, and restore faith to the force": - Eliminate Marxist indoctrination and divisive critical race theory programs.
- Audit course offerings at military academies to remove Marxist indoctrination.
- Eliminate tenure for academic professionals.
- Abolish newly established diversity, equity, and inclusion offices and staff.
- Reverse policies that allow transgender people to serve in the military.
- Reinstate, restore rank, and provide back pay for service members discharged for refusing the COVID-19 vaccine.
- Strengthen protections for chaplains to carry out their ministry according to the tenets of their faith.
READ MORE: HERITAGE'S PROJECT 2025: A SOCIALLY CONSERVATIVE PLAN FOR US NATIONAL SECURITY Good Wednesday morning and welcome to Jamie McIntyre's Daily on Defense, written and compiled by Washington Examiner National Security Senior Writer Jamie McIntyre (@jamiejmcintyre) and edited by Christopher Tremoglie. Email here with tips, suggestions, calendar items, and anything else. Sign up or read current and back issues at DailyonDefense.com. If signing up doesn't work, shoot us an email and we'll add you to our list. And be sure to follow me on Threads and/or on X @jamiejmcintyre. CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP OR READ BACK ISSUES OF DAILY ON DEFENSE NOTE TO READERS: Daily on Defense will not publish Monday, Nov. 11 as we observe Veterans Day. In addition, Daily on Defense will be on an extended Thanksgiving break from Nov.18-29. ZELENSKY: WE LOOK FORWARD TO TRUMP'S DECISIVE LEADERSHIP: Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, who has to be concerned that under Trump, U.S. support for the war against Russia will end, jumped on X this morning to offer his "Congratulations to @realDonaldTrump on his impressive election victory!" "I appreciate President Trump's commitment to the 'peace through strength' approach in global affairs. This is exactly the principle that can practically bring just peace in Ukraine closer. I am hopeful that we will put it into action together," Zelensky wrote. "We look forward to an era of a strong United States of America under President Trump's decisive leadership. We rely on continued strong bipartisan support for Ukraine in the United States." "I am looking forward to personally congratulating President Trump and discussing ways to strengthen Ukraine’s strategic partnership with the United States," he said. "Ukraine, as one of Europe’s strongest military powers, is committed to ensuring long-term peace and security in Europe and the Transatlantic community with the support of our allies. TRUMP'S NEBULOUS PLAN TO NEGOTIATE A 'VERY FAIR, RAPID DEAL' TO END UKRAINE WAR IS ZELENSKY'S BIGGEST EXISTENTIAL NIGHTMARE NATO CHIEF: "I LOOK FORWARD TO WORKING WITH HIM': NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte also cited Trump's "peace through strength" platform in offering his congratulations this morning while praising his past efforts to chide NATO members into contributing more to their common defense. "President-elect Trump demonstrated strong U.S. leadership throughout his first term in office — a term that turned the tide on European defense spending, improved transatlantic burden sharing, and strengthened alliance capabilities," Rutte wrote in a statement from Brussels. "When President-elect Trump takes office again on January 20, he will be welcomed by a stronger, larger, and more united alliance. Two-thirds of allies now spend at least 2% of their GDP on defense, and defense spending and production are on an onward trajectory across the Alliance." "I look forward to working with him again to advance peace through strength through NATO," he said. "Through NATO, the U.S. has 31 friends and Allies who help to advance U.S. interests, multiply American power, and keep Americans safe." TOM ROGAN OPINION: PARTISANSHIP FIRST? US EMBASSIES CANCEL TRADITIONAL ELECTION NIGHT PARTIES SLOTKIN, ROGERS: TOO CLOSE TO CALL: After leading in the vote count for most of the night, Democrat Rep. Elissa Slotkin has fallen behind former Republican Rep. Mike Rogers in the hard-fought battle to fill Michigan's open U.S. Senate seat. Because of their national security backgrounds, the winner will likely be on the newly Republican-controlled Senate Armed Services Committee. Slotkin is a former senior official at the Pentagon who served as acting assistant secretary of defense until January 2017. Rogers is a former law enforcement officer who chaired the House Intelligence Committee from 2011 to 2015. Not to be confused with Rep. Mike Rogers (R-AL), current chairman of the House Armed Services Committee, who was unopposed in Tuesday's general election. As of 6:30 a.m. with 95% of the vote in, Rogers had 48.6% to Slotkin's 48.4%, according to the Associated Press. Slotkin was hoping her national security bona fides would help her win. While Rogers, a former critic of Trump who frequently appeared on CNN, later embraced him, was also counting on his national security background to appeal to voters. REPUBLICAN TOM BARRETT WINS SLOTKIN'S OPEN MICHIGAN HOUSE SEAT THE RUNDOWN: Washington Examiner: IT’S TRUMP! ‘Greatest political comeback in the history’ of the USA Washington Examiner: ‘I will fight for you, for your family and your future’: Trump declares victory Washington Examiner Editorial: Trump’s win a searing indictment of the political establishment Washington Examiner: Kamala Harris watch “party” turns to “funeral” Washington Examiner: Tom Rogan Opinion: Partisanship first? US embassies cancel traditional election night parties Washington Examiner: Republicans clinch Senate majority with Sherrod Brown ouster in Ohio Washington Examiner: Texas stays red: Cruz survives Dem challenge Washington Examiner: Gov. Jim Justice wins in West Virginia Washington Examiner: Tim Kaine beats Hung Cao in Virginia senate race Washington Examiner: Democrat Angela Alsobrooks triumphs over former GOP Gov. Larry Hogan Washington Examiner: Election 2024 results: Winners and losers in House, Senate, and governor races Washington Examiner: Democrats flip two House seats as battle for majority drags on Washington Examiner: Fani Willis wins reelection as she leads Trump RICO case Washington Examiner: Netanyahu fires Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant Washington Examiner: FBI warns bureau's name and insignia being used in election disinformation Washington Examiner: Russia defends North Korean missile launch as 'legitimate' defensive act Washington Examiner: US soldier dies of injuries sustained during Gaza pier mission CNBC: Russia's top brass look for U.S. reset as Putin keeps quiet — for now Wall Street Journal: Europe Accuses Moscow Of Terrorism In Blast Plot New York Times: Netanyahu Fires Israel's Defense Minister, Yoav Gallant Washington Post: Putin makes Ukraine war veteran a governor as military gains prestige Wall Street Journal: Russian Drone Jockeys Are Hunting Civilians New York Times: North Korea Enters Ukraine Fight for First Time, Officials Say Washington Post: As Middle East Crisis Grinds On, Pentagon Shows Signs of Strain Air & Space Forces Magazine: B-52s Deploying to Europe on Top of Bombers Already in Middle East Defense News: US Approves Sale of Four E-7 Early-Warning Planes to South Korea The War Zone: China's J-35A Stealth Fighter Officially Breaks Cover CNN: China To Unveil J-35A Stealth Fighter Jet As Air Force Aims To Match U.S. Aerial Power Air & Space Forces Magazine: New Space Force 'Mission Deltas' Handle Missile Warning, Domain Awareness SpaceNews: Japan, Poland to Join US Military Satellite Network DefenseScoop: NGA's New Artificial Intelligence Chief Previews Near-Term Priorities Air & Space Forces Magazine: Kendall: USAF Can't Afford Next-Gen Fighter, Tanker, and Wingman Drones All at Once THE CALENDAR: WEDNESDAY | NOVEMBER 6 1:30 p.m. —Mitchell Institute for Aerospace Studies discussion: "Space Force: Journey of its stand-up, make-up, and a look to its future,” with Lt. Gen. Douglass Schiess, commander, U.S. Space Forces and combined joint force space component commander, U.S. Space Command https://mitchellaerospacepower.org/event/sss-lt-gen-douglas-a-schiess-24/ 2 p.m. — Government Executive Media Group virtual discussion: “Harnessing Mission-First Technologies to Transform Army Readiness,” with Maj. Gen. Glenn Dean, program executive officer of Army Ground Combat Systems; and Sgt. Maj. Brian Hester, senior ranking non-commissioned officer at Army Futures Command https://events.govexec.com/harnessing-mission-first-technologies THURSDAY | NOVEMBER 7 10 a.m. 2301 Constitution Ave. NW — U.S. Institute of Peace discussion: “First in War, First in Peace: Building Post-Conflict Stability and Democracy,” focusing on the example of George Washington and the role of military veterans in securing stability and democracy,” with Lindsay Chervinsky, executive director, George Washington Presidential Library; Marine Corps Brig. Gen. Maura Hennigan, commanding general, 2nd Marine Logistics Group; retired Army Col. Carolyn Washington, adjunct professor at Florida State University; and Keith Mines, vice president, USIP Latin America Program https://www.usip.org/events/first-war-first-peace-2024 10 a.m. 1300 Pennsylvania Ave. NW — Wilson Center Kennan Institute for Advanced Russian Studies and the Smithsonian Institution Cultural Rescue Initiative discussion: “Safeguarding Ukraine’s Cultural Heritage from Russia’s War,” with Richard Kurin, Smithsonian scholar; and Katharyn Hanson, Smithsonian scholar https://www.wilsoncenter.org/event/safeguarding-ukraines-cultural-heritage 10:30 a.m. Brussels, Belgium — German Marshall Fund of the U.S. virtual discussion: “The U.S. Election: Implications for the U.S., the EU, and Global Politics.” https://www.gmfus.org/event/us-election-implications-us-eu-and-global-politics 1 p.m. — Center for Strategic and International Studies virtual discussion: “Funding Allied Innovation: Ensuring Advanced Capabilities for the Future Warfighter,” with Barbara McQuiston, chair, NATO Defense Innovation Accelerator for the North Atlantic’s board of directors; Fiona Murray, vice chairman, Massachusetts Institute of Technology NATO Innovation Fund; Jason Rathje, director, Defense Department Office of Strategic Capital; and Cynthia Cook, director, CSIS Defense-Industrial Initiatives Group https://www.csis.org/events/funding-allied-innovation FRIDAY | NOVEMBER 8 8:30 a.m. 2445 M. St., NW — George Washington University Project for Media and National Security Defense Writers Group conversation: "Climate Security is National Security" with Brendan Owens, assistant secretary of defense for energy, installations and environment, and chief sustainability officer email [email protected]. 2 p.m. 1030 15th Street NW — Atlantic Council Global China Hub virtual discussion of new report: “Capture the (Red) Flag: An Inside Look Into China’s Hacking Contest Ecosystem," with Jessica Ruzic, CISA deputy associate chief of policy; Eugenio Benincasa, senior researcher, cyberdefense project on ETH Zurich Center for Security Studies Risk and Resilience Team; Dakota Cary, nonresident fellow, Atlantic Council Global China Hub; Devin Thorne, principal threat intelligence analyst for China geopolitics at Recorded Future; Anastacia Webster, lead of CISA’s Academic Partnerships and Outreach Sub-Division; and Melanie Hart, senior director, Atlantic Council Global China Hub https://www.atlanticcouncil.org/event/capture-the-red-flag-an-inside-look-into-chinas-hacking-contest-ecosystem/ 2 p.m. 2301 Constitution Ave. NW — U.S. Institute of Peace discussion: “The New Lives of Russians in Exile,” with Aron Ouzilevski, Institute of Current World Affairs fellow; Lyubov Sobol, Russian opposition politician; Anna Veduta, director of strategic communication, Free Russia Foundation; and Gregory Feifer, Institute of Current World Affairs executive director https://www.usip.org/events/new-lives-russians-exile | | | | "Every single day I will be fighting for you, and with every breath in my body, I will not rest until we have delivered the strong, safe and prosperous America that our children deserve and that you deserve. This will truly be the golden age of America. That's what we have, this is a magnificent victory for the American people that will allow us to make America great again." | | President-elect Donald Trump, declaring victory over Vice President Kamala Harris at the Palm Beach County Convention Center in West Palm Beach, Florida, early Wednesday morning. |
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