Jewish and Thinking of Voting for Trump? Foreign Policy as a Stand-In for Security at Home

"The only thing we have to fear is fear itself—nameless, unreasoning, unjustified terror which paralyzes needed efforts to convert retreat into advance."

— Franklin Delano Roosevelt, First Inaugural Address, March 4, 1933

Around twenty years ago, I lived in a small town with a Jewish community of about 200 people in a population of 30,000. Though most of us had no direct ties to Israel, discussions at community gatherings often circled back to Israel and the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Many regularly expressed frustration toward Palestinians or the broader Middle Eastern political climate. With time, it became clear that these conversations were, in part, a form of projection—a way of channeling a sense of vulnerability and powerlessness from living in a town where antisemitism simmered under the surface.

During these discussions, Israel represented strength and resolve, a form of psychological security that was lacking in our day-to-day lives. It was easier to fixate on an external enemy and a distant struggle rather than address the complexities of our immediate social landscape—something that involved confronting uncomfortable realities much closer to home. I see a similar pattern now among some American Jews who are willing to overlook Trump’s authoritarian behavior in favor of what they believe will be his reliable support for Israel.

Many Jewish Americans hold legitimate frustrations with the Democratic Party’s approach to Israel and Middle Eastern policy. From the Obama administration’s handling of the Iran nuclear deal to concerns over party attitudes toward Israel’s security, these issues have led some Jewish voters to rethink their political allegiances. This understandable anger and disappointment can drive individuals to seek alternatives, even if it means overlooking significant red flags. I, too, felt this frustration—enough to register as a Republican in this presidential election so I could support Nikki Haley in the primaries. My decision reflected a growing dissatisfaction with the Democratic Party’s recent behavior, from the rise in antisemitism within its ranks to its inconsistent stances on key security issues.

Additionally, concerns about anti-democratic tendencies within the Democratic political machine have grown, with critics pointing to dynastic patterns that elevate established families and longstanding political figures, limiting fresh perspectives and fair competition for office. Allegations of targeting political opponents have also emerged under the Biden administration, adding to perceptions that the party uses its influence to control dissent rather than encourage diverse voices. For many voters, the Democratic Party’s inconsistencies and actions have generated real distrust.

Is Trump’s First Term a Predictor of His Second Term?

While I share some of these concerns, especially regarding the Democratic Party’s handling of foreign policy, I would like to push back on Jewish support of Donald Trump. The argument often goes that, despite his faults, Trump delivered on Israel policy during his first term. But if “past is prologue,” we should also consider an insider’s view of his time in office in our considerations of how to approach the future.

Warnings from former members of Trump’s administration, such as his former Chief of Staff, General John Kelly, along with many other prominent Republicans, have described Trump as a threat to democracy. These warnings caution that his return to office could lead to the erosion of democratic norms and expanded threats against minorities. Protecting American democracy at home is vital for the well-being of Jewish communities.

Right now, we are witnessing an erosion of rights guaranteed to Jews in the United States since the middle of the last century. Warnings from more than 200 members of the Republican Party about Trump’s threat to democracy should be heeded. His anti-democratic behavior is part and parcel of his first term and is a window into the future. Republicans endorsing Harris caution that his return to office could accelerate this erosion of democratic norms and expand threats against minorities.

What’s at Stake for Jewish Safety

These harsh dynamics are an essential part of Jewish history. Many Jews came to the United States for better economic opportunity and to escape political persecution, two concerns that are often deeply intertwined. Across Europe in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, economic hardship and rising antisemitism forced families to make difficult choices. In Russia, the May Laws of 1882 restricted Jewish settlement, property ownership, and employment, intensifying poverty and isolation. Pogroms erupted in places like Ukraine in 1905, with violence driving many Jewish families from their homes.

In the Austro-Hungarian Empire and Romania, Jews faced social and legal discrimination that limited educational and economic opportunities, making emigration one of the few viable paths to stability and safety. These dynamics reached an extreme in Austria in 1938-1939, when Adolf Eichmann’s emigration office rapidly intensified both economic and social pressures, stripping Jews of property and resources while forcing them to flee.

Choosing Democracy at Home

This history can be repeated in the United States, and Jewish communities have felt an intensifying strain over the past year as they navigate rising antisemitism and shrinking protections. While Trump may appear supportive of Israel now, there is no guarantee his support will extend to the Jewish community at home in the future, especially under authoritarian rule. In dictatorships, avenues for influence disappear quickly, and minorities are left vulnerable to shifting policies and unchecked power—something that the Jewish community has experienced under monarchies and empires. Unchecked power isn’t necessarily the best guarantee for safety. This is what General John Kelly and other Republicans are warning about.

Supporting a candidate who openly attacks democratic norms and therefore threatens minority protections may feel like a shortcut to security, but history suggests otherwise. As the NY Times Editorial Board wrote last week, we should believe everything Trump says since it is already borne out in his record. If the ultimate goal is to ensure safety and stability for Jewish communities, then we must protect the democratic principles that secure these freedoms for all. American democracy, as imperfect as it is, has been a success for Jews and can continue to be.

Instead of projecting our fears onto distant issues or choosing to support authoritarian figures out of a desire for safety, we need to continue to ensure a democratic system that allows for greater exercise of influence, even if it is particularly imperfect right now.

Winston Churchill Gives the V for Victory Sign, December 4, 1942