The Biden administration’s struggle to counter the persistent threat of Houthi militants in the Red Sea left the impression that these Iran-backed rebels were an insurmountable problem. However, President Trump’s approach has swiftly upended that notion.
Reversing Biden’s Strategic Missteps
One of Biden’s earliest and most controversial foreign policy moves was his decision to lift the Houthis' designation as a Foreign Terrorist Organization (FTO). This was part of a broader shift to penalize Saudi Arabia for its conduct in the Yemen conflict, despite Riyadh’s critical role in countering Houthi aggression. By removing the terror designation, Biden signaled weakness—allowing the Houthis to escalate their attacks on commercial and naval vessels without fear of significant consequences.
Trump, in contrast, wasted no time in correcting this mistake. Within days of taking office, he reimposed the FTO designation, sending a clear message that the United States would no longer tolerate unchecked maritime terrorism. The immediate effect was evident: the Houthis scaled back their attacks, claiming—without credibility—that this restraint was linked to events in Gaza rather than fear of U.S. retaliation.
A Decisive Military Response
Despite the initial pause, the Houthis soon resumed their aggressive campaign, threatening the stability of global shipping lanes. Unlike Biden, who relied on largely ineffective retaliatory strikes, the Trump administration adopted a more forceful strategy. Over the weekend, U.S. forces executed a series of precision strikes targeting both Houthi military assets and key personnel responsible for launching attacks.
This shift in approach is critical. Under Biden, the U.S. and its allies carried out over 260 strikes on Houthi positions between January 2024 and Inauguration Day. Yet, these limited and reactionary strikes failed to deter the group. Even Biden himself admitted their ineffectiveness, but rather than altering course, he continued the same fruitless pattern. The Trump administration, however, is not operating under the same constraints. Its broader, more assertive strategy aims not just to retaliate but to degrade the Houthis’ capacity to launch further attacks.
As Secretary of State Marco Rubio put it, “Some of the key people involved in those missile launches are no longer with us, and some of the facilities they used are no longer existing. And that will continue.” This approach—eliminating both the perpetrators and their infrastructure—represents a stark departure from Biden’s hesitant engagement.
Defending Core U.S. Interests
Critics of Trump’s military actions argue that Yemen is not a vital U.S. interest and that these strikes serve only to fuel the so-called “D.C. War Machine.” This argument, often championed by figures like Glenn Greenwald, ignores the reality that securing maritime trade routes is a fundamental American interest.
Biden’s failure to deter Houthi aggression forced shipping companies to reroute around the Cape of Good Hope, adding significant costs and disruptions to global trade. This directly contributed to higher prices and economic instability. Ensuring safe navigation through international waters has been a cornerstone of U.S. policy since the days of the Barbary pirates, and there is no viable alternative to American naval dominance.
Allowing the Houthis to continue their campaign of piracy and terrorism without consequence would send a dangerous message—not just to Iran, but to adversaries like China and Russia, who benefit from any weakening of U.S. maritime control. The stakes are clear: either the U.S. defends free trade and global stability, or it cedes influence to its enemies and risks further economic disruption.
Restoring Effective Deterrence
The Houthis’ unchecked aggression has served as a preview of what a post-American world could look like—one where global trade is at the mercy of terrorist groups and rogue states. The Trump administration understands that a strong and sustained deterrence strategy is the only way to restore order in the Red Sea.
While Biden’s reluctance to escalate allowed the Houthis to act with impunity, Trump’s willingness to use force demonstrates a clear commitment to American leadership. The message is simple: attacks on international shipping will not be tolerated, and those responsible will face decisive consequences.
