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Expanded US Military Airstrike Protocols Eased Under Trump Administration

U.S. military commanders are now given greater authority by the Trump administration to carry out airstrikes against potential militant dangers.

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U.S. military commanders given expanded authority for airstrikes against perceived militant...
U.S. military commanders given expanded authority for airstrikes against perceived militant dangers, under Trump administration approval.

Expanded US Military Airstrike Protocols Eased Under Trump Administration

U.S. Military Airstrike Policy Shifts Under Trump and Biden Administrations

The Trump administration significantly altered the U.S. military's airstrike policy, granting commanders more autonomy to launch strikes against suspected militant threats, as opposed to the more stringent sign-off processes under the Biden administration. This shift became evident in military operations in countries like Somalia and Yemen.

Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth confirmed the new policy on social media in late February. The policy change allows U.S. military commanders greater flexibility to conduct airstrikes without seeking case-by-case approval from Washington, a departure from the Biden era, where high-profile airstrikes often required senior White House and Pentagon officials' approval.

Under the Trump administration, the U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) directed airstrikes in Syria against the Hurras al-Din (HaD) group, an al-Qaida affiliate. CENTCOM has been striking what it described as high-level militants as part of its mission against the Islamic State group to prevent a resurgence. Since Trump took office, at least four CENTCOM strikes against Hurras al-Din have been conducted, with the latest, on Feb. 15, receiving a public endorsement from Trump on his social media platform.

On Feb. 23, CENTCOM conducted a drone strike on a leader of Hurras al-Din, with footage of the engagement released on March 1. The airstrike appears to have been conducted using a drone firing an AGM-114 R9X Hellfire, a sophisticated weapon known for its blades that deploy before impact, designed to minimize civilian casualties.

U.S. Africa Command (AFRICOM) has also increased its airstrikes against ISIS in Somalia. The first military action undertaken during the second Trump administration was a round of airstrikes against ISIS-Somalia on Feb. 1. Trump and the Pentagon said that these airstrikes were conducted in the President's direction.

AFRICOM also conducted a Feb. 16 airstrike against multiple leaders of ISIS-Somalia and has carried out multiple "collective self-defense" airstrikes against the terrorist group al-Shabaab in collaboration with Somalia's government since Trump took office.

In comparison, the Biden administration adopted a more measured approach, authorizing only 39 declared airstrikes in Somalia between 2021 and 2024, and opting for diplomacy and coalition-building to reduce the U.S. military footprint in ongoing conflicts.

This shift in airstrike policy and operational tempo reflects differing strategic priorities and operational philosophies between the two administrations, with Trump favoring more frequent and expansive airstrikes, and Biden opting for restraint, coalition-building, and targeted actions.

  1. During the Trump administration, the U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) altered its airstrike policy, allowing commanders greater flexibility in Syria, unlike the Biden era where high-profile airstrikes required senior White House and Pentagon officials' approval.
  2. CENTCOM, under the Trump administration, directed airstrikes against the Hurras al-Din (HaD) group, an al-Qaida affiliate, using sophisticated weapons like the AGM-114 R9X Hellfire to minimize civilian casualties.
  3. U.S. Africa Command (AFRICOM), under the Trump administration, increased airstrikes against ISIS in Somalia, with the first military action undertaken on Feb. 1, 2017, and multiple subsequent "collective self-defense" airstrikes against al-Shabaab in collaboration with Somalia’s government.
  4. Interestingly, the Biden administration sported a more measured approach, authorizing only 39 declared airstrikes in Somalia from 2021 to 2024, and opting for diplomacy and coalition-building to reduce the U.S. military footprint in ongoing conflicts.
  5. This contrast between the two administrations' airstrike policies and operational tempo signifies differing strategic priorities and operational philosophies, with Trump advocating for more frequent and expansive airstrikes, and Biden promoting restraint, coalition-building, and targeted actions.

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