Donald Trump promises to replace 'randomness with purpose' in foreign policy speech

Trump turns focus to foreign policy.
(Image credit: Spencer Platt/Getty Images)

A more restrained Donald Trump appeared in Washington, D.C., on Wednesday, deviating from his usual off-the-cuff speeches to deliver a scripted address on foreign policy. "America first will be the major and overriding theme of my administration," Trump said.

Trump's vision was broad and lacked specific details, with one of his foreign policy advisers telling the media beforehand that Trump was "not going to say 'we're going to send three brigades to do the job.' No. He's going to confirm the principle that ISIS should be destroyed so that the other political settlements can work."

Indeed, Trump listed a number of his goals, including stopping ISIS and radical Islam while "working with our allies in the Muslim world." He additionally defended his Muslim ban as being "a pause for reassessment."

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Trump further named "rebuilding our military" as a goal of a Trump administration, as well as modernizing the nuclear program, restructuring NATO, and treating veterans "really, really well." Trump also adopted a non-interventionist message, assuring that, "If America fights, it must only fight to win."

While he primarily leveled criticisms at President Obama, Trump saved some shots for Hillary Clinton, too. "Our foreign policy is a complete and total disaster," Trump said, vowing to "replace randomness with purpose, ideology with strategy, and chaos with peace."

"We will win, if I become president," Trump said. "We want to bring peace to the world."

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Jeva Lange

Jeva Lange was the executive editor at TheWeek.com. She formerly served as The Week's deputy editor and culture critic. She is also a contributor to Screen Slate, and her writing has appeared in The New York Daily News, The Awl, Vice, and Gothamist, among other publications. Jeva lives in New York City. Follow her on Twitter.