6 ways Trump escalated military force in his second term
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President Trump watches a military demonstration at Fort Bragg, N.C., on June 10, 2025. Photo: Anna Moneymaker/ Getty Images
President Trump hasn't been shy about deploying the U.S. military during his second term.
Why it matters: Despite promoting himself as a president of peace, he's deployed the U.S. military in multiple American cities and across the globe, striking Iran and others, raiding Venezuela and striking suspected drug boats in the Caribbean.
- Trump's military actions may take another turn soon, with the possibility of war with Iran on the horizon.
Driving the news: The U.S. evacuated its embassy staff in Israel on Friday, signaling that a joint U.S.-Israeli military campaign against Iran could be imminent, Axios' Barak Ravid writes.
- There are many reasons why the U.S. may hit Iran again, including the damaging Israeli and U.S. strikes last year — a major escalation in Trump's use of military force.
What they're saying: "Under President Trump, America is respected again, and our military has restored its reputation as the strongest and most powerful on the planet. All of the President's actions have made our country safer and the world more stable," White House spokesperson Anna Kelly tells Axios.
Read more below about where Trump has sent the military.
Iran strikes last year
The U.S. joined the 12-day war between Israel and Iran in June 2025 by taking out Iran's underground nuclear facilities, which led to historic escalation in the Middle East, Axios' Barak Ravid reports.
- Trump said at the time that the strikes were a "spectacular military success" and claimed Iran's key uranium enrichment sites "have been completely and totally obliterated."
- The attack on Iranian nuclear facilities led to widespread backlash from Congress, with many arguing Trump needed congressional authorization for such a use of military force.
Nigeria on Christmas
Trump announced, on Christmas day, that the U.S. military "launched a powerful and deadly strike against ISIS."
- U.S. Africa Command (AFRICOM) said the strikes were in Sokoto State.
- "May God Bless our Military, and MERRY CHRISTMAS to all, including the dead Terrorists, of which there will be many more if their slaughter of Christians continues," Trump wrote on social media at the time.
Trump had previously warned about potential U.S. military action in Nigeria, pointing to violent attacks against both Christians and Muslims.
"Drug boat" strikes in the Caribbean
U.S. military forces started battering ships and alleged "drug boats" in the Caribbean and eastern Pacific with lethal airstrikes in late 2025.
- Many officials said the campaign aimed to curb the flow of drugs.
- The strikes then shifted toward pursuing oil and later seizing tankers as a part of a move against Venezuela.
- Some congressional backlash followed, with lawmakers calling for transparency and posing legal questions about Trump's authority.
Venezuela raid in January
Trump sent 150 aircraft into the skies in a stunning raid on former Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro's fortified compound in early January.
- The raid upended the Venezuelan government.
- Soon after, President Trump teased using military action against other countries across the world.
Worthy of your time: The U.S. military used Anthropic's Claude AI model during the operation, which has now led to a high-profile standoff between Anthropic and the Pentagon over military use.
Aircraft carriers to Iran
Trump recently sent two aircraft carriers to the region outside Iran, building speculation that another strike may happen.
- The U.S. sent the USS Gerald R. Ford aircraft carrier and its strike group to the Middle East in February.
- The Ford joined the USS Abraham Lincoln and its strike group in January.
Military in U.S. cities
Trump has deployed National Guard troops in D.C. and temporarily in Los Angeles and New Orleans amid his immigration crackdown and law enforcement surge.
- He also pushed for troops in Chicago and Portland, among other cities, but faced legal challenges that seemed to disrupt his plans.
What we're watching: The president has threatened to use the Insurrection Act — a rarely invoked power that lets him put soldiers on American streets. No president has used it since 1992.
Go deeper: 6 reasons the U.S. and Iran are on the brink of war
