For a president who built his brand on avoiding foreign entanglements, Donald Trump's surprise strike on Iranian nuclear facilities may seem like a political curveball. But beneath the surface of fiery backlash from some corners of the MAGA movement lies a more nuanced reality: The operation fits a long-running pattern of calibrated force.
This was not a reversion to Bush-era interventionism, and it was not a pivot away from Trump's "America First" doctrine. Rather, "Operation Midnight Hammer" — the June 21 assault on Fordo, Natanz, and Isfahan — was designed to signal strength without inviting escalation.
Receive Unlimited Access to ALL Newsmax Platinum Reports!
By becoming an exclusive Newsmax Platinum member, you receive:
- special investigative reports
- breaking political insider news, including VIP interviews from Washington
- in-depth interviews with A-list celebs driving the day's headlines
- thousands of articles you won't find anywhere else!
All just by becoming a Newsmax Platinum Member today!
Sign Up for Platinum AccessLogin
Jerry McGlothlin ✉
Jerry McGlothlin is a writer, media consultant, and CEO of Special Guests Publicity, a firm specializing in booking guests on major media platforms. With decades of experience in communications, he focuses on exploring political and societal issues from a conservative perspective.