Civil-military norms and professionalism: A comparative analysis of the biden and trump administrations

Civil-military relations are crucial to the functioning of democratic governance, particularly in the United States, where civilian control over the military is a fundamental principle. This paper examines the approaches of Presidents Donald J. Trump and Joseph R. Biden to civil-military relations, focusing on their impact on military autonomy, professionalism, and institutional integrity. Through a comparative analysis, it explores how Trump’s confrontational and politicized stance contrasted with Biden’s efforts to restore traditional civil-military norms and reinforce the military’s nonpartisan role. The study examines their differing views on U.S. leadership in global security, with particular attention to NATO, burden-sharing, and the Ukraine crisis. By analyzing these two administrations, this paper highlights the evolving dynamics of civil-military relations in a complex international landscape, offering insights into how presidential leadership shapes military policy and the broader strategic direction of the United States.