Trump’s South Korea drawdown gets rough reception 

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White House Headlines - August 17, 2026

White House Headlines - August 17, 2026

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It’s Monday. It’s the first day of school for some counties across the U.S., so depending on where you’re reading this from, it might feel extra Monday-ish today. Parents, may the force be with you.

Trump gets flak over South Korea order

Trump gets flak over South Korea order

Supreme Court rejects Trump’s Carroll appeal

Supreme Court rejects Trump’s Carroll appeal

Schumer caught in the middle

Schumer caught in the middle

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Are progressives more relatable?

Programming note: Hello! We are Elliott Davis and Steff Danielle Thomas filling in for Cate. Please send your tips, comments and story ideas to edavis@thehill.com or sthomas@thehill.com. 

Trump’s South Korea scaleback:

AP | Jacquelyn Martin

President Trump on Sunday said he ordered Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth to “substantially reduce” the country’s joint military exercises with South Korea, nodding to his “very good relationship” with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un in announcing the move.

While noting it is “somewhat unrelated,” Trump also wrote on Truth Social that South Korean President Lee Jae Myung was apparently uninterested in helping the U.S. with the “denuclearization” of Iran.

Rough reception at home: Some lawmakers and retired military officials slammed Trump’s move. Sen. Mark Kelly (D-Ariz.), a retired U.S. Navy captain, wrote on social media that “hollowing out these joint exercises is shortsighted and a mistake.” Meanwhile, retired Air Force Col. Cedric Leighton described the order as an “unforced error,” telling CNN that it could damage the U.S.-South Korean relationship.

But support in South Korea?: While The Associated Press reported that Trump’s announcement baffled many in South Korea, Lee’s office said Monday that it hopes a “friendly relationship” between Trump and Kim would lead to “meaningful dialogue” between the U.S. and North Korea and start discussions on promoting peace and stability on the peninsula.

What (and when) are the joint U.S.-South Korea exercises? They are annual large-scale defense drills that occur in spring and summer to help strengthen the alliance between the two countries and the readiness to fight against regional threats, The Hill’s Mallory Wilson writes. 

The 11-day Ulchi Freedom Shield exercises began Monday as scheduled, per........

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