The column below reflects the views of the author, and these opinions are neither endorsed nor supported by WisOpinion.com. 

Trump, strutting around the world like a 1930s tin-pot dictator, undermines NATO and the United Nations, appeases Putin, threatens Greenland-Denmark, relentlessly insults Canada, illegally attacks Iran and Venezuela, blockades Cuba and sinks “alleged drug trafficking boats” (Washington Post). “War is back in vogue and a zeal for war is spreading. The principle established after the Second World War, which prohibited nations from using force to violate the borders of others, has been completely undermined” (U.S. Catholic Cardinals Cupich, McElroy and Tobin). But top White House aide Stephen Miller demands use of “force,” not law or morality.

Wisconsin Democratic U.S. Sen. Tammy Baldwin has courageously and eloquently tried to block Trump’s increasingly delusional imperialism. Her counterpart, Wisconsin GOP U.S. Sen. Ron Johnson, has taken the opposite tack, mindlessly cheering on whatever Trump does and slandering Trump’s critics: opposes a congressional debate on the Iran War because it would show that Congress is “divided” and outrageously says war critics are “aiding and abetting the enemy.”

Same for all Wisconsin GOP representatives, no wisdom or guts. Derrick Van Orden has viciously attacked congressional military veterans for questioning Pentagon war planners. And, Tom Tiffany claimed in January that 2026 would see very low gas prices. However, there has been catastrophic economic fallout from the Iran War. Gas prices are way up as are grocery bills and higher mortgage rates. Farmers have been hit hard by soaring diesel and fertilizer prices. So now Tiffany says it’s time to “wrap up” the Iran War while still voting to continue it multiple times. Talking out of both sides of his mouth. Tiffany has the gall to run for governor, having demonstrated that he lacks independence, judgment and prudence.

Trump’s lawless, unnecessary Iran War is Exhibit A, showcasing delusional imperialism. The repressive, theocratic Iranian regime has not been forced to surrender as promised in a few weeks. A 6-month war looks endless and is widening to other countries. Thousands of civilians have died, to say nothing of U.S. casualties – 18 dead and 624 wounded. Moreover, it turns out that the Trump administration is trying to minimize the total number of U.S. casualties with reporting tricks. And, the CIA said Iran retains most of its drones and missiles and concluded that continued U.S. bombing will not end the war.

Then there is the U.S. blockade against ships carrying oil to Cuba. That and intensified existing trade sanctions have brought Cuba to its knees: limited electric power, growing hunger and deteriorating healthcare capacity. Cuba may not be a democracy but it’s no threat to the United States. If we can have investment and trade relations with communist China why not Cuba? Baldwin has shown leadership in opposing Trump’s immoral Cuban policies. And, Wisconsin Democratic Representative Mark Pocan deserves credit for his recent fact-finding trip to Cuba.

Finally, there is Trump’s bombing of “alleged drug trafficking boats” (Washington Post). Over 221 killed. However, “boat strikes failed to curb cocaine supply” (Washington Post). As usual, carnival barker Trump is hawking illegal military solutions. Americans are better than this. 

Kaplan wrote a guest column from Washington, D.C., for the Wisconsin State Journal from 1995 – 2009.