Foreign Policy

Can We Ever Trust the Government To Be Honest About War?

Trump joins a long line of presidents unwilling to be transparent about the causes and goals of their adventurism abroad.

Alexander Langlois | 5.5.2026 12:27 PM

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For decades, the U.S. government has been willing to start wars but not strategically and transparently manage them, consistently misleading its citizenry to justify adventurism abroad. The conduct of the Trump administration in the current war with Iran is no exception. 

President Donald Trump's claims of "victory" as the war persists through a blockade and multiple troop surges without a clear win-case highlights how optics designed to mislead dictate Washington's approach to war today. This war could mark a crucial lesson and potential turning point, however, forcing the nation to come to grips with the real costs of violent conflict.

Narrative Wars at the Expense of Transparency

The wars in Iraq and Afghanistan that followed the 9/11 attacks in New York City produced an initial outpouring of support. While commenters often blame President George W. Bush and his administration for ill-conceived "adventurism," a lack of honesty with the American people regarding that adventurism played an equally damaging role. Just as officials lied about a range of issues—including Baghdad's possession of weapons of mass destruction—to justify their invasion of Iraq, the Trump administration has adopted similar thinking.

Consider Trump's claims to have already achieved "regime change" in Iran; his constant declarations that the United States has achieved "victory" in the war; Hegseth's ongoing press restrictions at the Pentagon........

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