White House deputy chief of staff Stephen Miller surprised many in the MAGA movement with his definition of President Donald Trump’s motto, “America First.”
“No, ‘America First’ means America will be the greatest, most unquestioned, unmatched power in the world, and it means we will defend American lives, and yes, we will avenge American blood,” Miller told Fox News’ Sean Hannity on Wednesday. “Iran has waged war against the American people, this regime, for 47 years.”
Miller said Trump has made it clear that America’s “awesome military might should be used to protect and defend America’s interests.” This comes days after the United States launched Operation Epic Fury against Iran in collaboration with Israel.
“Not to surrender the world to our adversaries, to our enemies, to those who would do us harm,” Miller added. “Not to surrender the world’s resources, lanes of commerce, or capacity to keep our citizens safe.”
Some conservative voices have said the military operation is not in line with an “America First” agenda, arguing that Iran did not pose a direct threat to the United States and warning of a protracted conflict.
Trump has said in the past that he is the one who decides what “America First” means.
“Well, considering that I’m the one that developed ‘America First’ and considering that the term wasn’t used until I came along, I think I’m the one that decides that,” he told The Atlantic in an interview over the summer.
“For those people who say they want peace—you can’t have peace if Iran has a nuclear weapon,” he added. “So for all of those wonderful people who don’t want to do anything about Iran having a nuclear weapon—that’s not peace.”
