WASHINGTON — President Trump has fundamentally altered America’s global stance after just one month — alienating key allies, dismantling vital treaties, and embracing America’s adversaries. As the damage unfolds, Democrats must prepare now for the consequences of four years of weakened U.S. leadership.
In response, the Progressive Policy Institute (PPI) today released “Five Pillars of Freedom: First Steps Toward a New Democratic Foreign Policy,” a report by Peter Juul, PPI’s Director of National Security Policy. The report outlines a principled, proactive, and pragmatic Democratic foreign policy that prioritizes defending freedom, strengthening alliances, and advancing strategic economic engagement in a world reshaped by a second Trump presidency.
“Any Democrat who succeeds Donald Trump in 2029 will inherit a world that is more dangerous, more unpredictable, and more hostile to American interests than at any time in recent history,” said Juul. “This roadmap provides a path for Democrats to rebuild America’s standing, defend democracy, and protect our national security in an increasingly unstable world.”
Juul argues that Democrats must abandon outdated approaches and embrace a bold, forward-looking strategy rooted in five key pillars:
Juul warns that a second Trump presidency is already dismantling U.S. alliances, emboldening autocratic regimes, and undermining international institutions that have safeguarded global stability for decades. In his first weeks back in office, Trump has already bullied NATO allies, cozied up to Vladimir Putin, and proposed dangerous policies that weaken America’s strategic position.
Read and download the report here.
Founded in 1989, PPI is a catalyst for policy innovation and political reform based in Washington, D.C. Its mission is to create radically pragmatic ideas for moving America beyond ideological and partisan deadlock. Learn more about PPI by visiting progressivepolicy.org. Find an expert at PPI and follow us on X.
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Media Contact: Ian O’Keefe – iokeefe@ppionline.org
