MAGA Faithful Cheer Trump For Pausing Ukraine Weapons/ Newslooks/ WASHINGTON/ J. Mansour/ Morning Edition/ President Trump defends pausing key U.S. weapons shipments to Ukraine, insisting America must replenish its own stockpiles. The move wins applause from his MAGA supporters but alarms GOP hawks as Russia intensifies attacks. Trump’s call with Putin underscores shifting U.S. foreign policy priorities.

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Quick Look: Trump’s Ukraine Weapons Pause:

• Trump defends pausing weapons to Ukraine amid Russia’s new offensive.
• MAGA influencers cheer move, citing “America First” promises.
• GOP hawks warn pause risks Ukraine’s fight against Russia.
• Trump, Putin discuss Ukraine but find no breakthrough.
• Pentagon cites stockpile review and focus on Asia security.

MAGA Base Applauds Trump for Pausing Ukraine Weapons After Frustration Over Iran Strikes

Deep Look

WASHINGTON (AP) — President Donald Trump is earning praise from his core MAGA supporters for putting a temporary halt on weapons shipments to Ukraine—a move that comes just weeks after some in his base questioned whether he was staying true to his pledge to keep America out of foreign wars.

The pause affects critical supplies like Patriot air defense missiles, precision-guided artillery, and other military equipment, even as Ukraine faces intensified attacks from Russia. Overnight strikes rattled Kyiv once again, with missile warnings and explosions echoing through the capital.

Trump spoke publicly about the pause for the first time Thursday before boarding Air Force One en route to Iowa. He blamed his predecessor for depleting U.S. stockpiles.

“Biden emptied out our whole country giving them weapons, and we have to make sure that we have enough for ourselves,” Trump said. “We’ve given so many weapons. We are working with them and trying to help them.”

Relief Among MAGA Allies

The decision was welcomed by prominent figures in Trump’s “America First” movement, who had grown uneasy after he ordered U.S. strikes on Iranian nuclear facilities last month. That military action fueled speculation among far-right influencers about whether Trump might drag the U.S. deeper into overseas conflicts.

Dan Caldwell, a conservative foreign policy commentator, posted on X that the choice was between equipping American forces with scarce munitions or sending them “to a country where there are limited U.S. interests.”

Far-right activist Jack Posobiec, who had warned that bombing Iran could “disastrously split the Trump coalition,” quickly cheered the Ukraine news. “America FIRST,” he posted.

The White House and Pentagon officials insisted Trump’s move fits with his long-held campaign promises to scale back U.S. involvement in foreign conflicts.

“The president was elected on an America First platform to put America first,” said Pentagon chief spokesman Sean Parnell.

GOP Divided Over Ukraine Support

Still, the pause has triggered alarm within the more hawkish wing of the Republican Party. Some GOP lawmakers argue now is the worst time to reduce support for Ukraine, especially as Russian forces escalate their offensive.

Rep. Brian Fitzpatrick, a Pennsylvania Republican from a swing district, wrote to Trump and the Pentagon expressing “serious concern” over the halt and demanded an emergency briefing.

Rep. Michael McCaul, a Texas Republican, echoed the worries on social media. “We can’t let Putin prevail now. President Trump knows that too and it’s why he’s been advocating for peace. Now is the time to show Putin we mean business,” McCaul posted.

Trump, Putin Talk But Find No Breakthrough

On Thursday, Trump held his sixth call this year with Russian President Vladimir Putin. The Kremlin described the discussion as “frank and constructive,” touching on Ukraine, Iran, and broader Middle East tensions. However, Putin’s adviser Yuri Ushakov said they did not specifically discuss the suspension of U.S. weapons shipments to Ukraine.

Putin reiterated that Moscow remains open to negotiations but will not back down from its objectives in Ukraine. He insists any peace deal must include Ukraine dropping its NATO ambitions and recognizing Russian territorial gains—a stance rejected by Kyiv and its allies.

Meanwhile, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, speaking in Denmark after meetings with EU backers, said he hopes to speak with Trump soon about the weapons pause.

“I hope that maybe tomorrow, or close days, these days, I will speak about it with President Trump,” Zelenskyy said.

Pivot Toward Asia

The administration described the weapons pause as part of a broader review of U.S. military stockpiles, following nearly $70 billion in arms aid to Ukraine since Russia’s invasion in February 2022.

The pause was coordinated by Pentagon policy chief Elbridge Colby, who has advocated for shifting America’s strategic focus toward countering China. Colby previously warned that the U.S. military isn’t large enough for multiple simultaneous conflicts.

“This is the restrainers like Colby flexing their muscle and saying, ‘Hey, the Pacific is more important,’” said retired Navy Adm. Mark Montgomery of the Foundation for Defense of Democracies.

Analysts who favor a more restrained U.S. foreign policy argue that stretching U.S. resources further could jeopardize preparedness for unforeseen crises elsewhere.

“You’re really coming up to the point where continuing to provide aid to Ukraine is putting at risk the U.S. ability to operate in future crises,” said Jennifer Kavanagh of Defense Priorities. “And you don’t know when those crises are going to happen. So you have to be a little bit cautious.”

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