Kelly on reduced joint exercises with South Korea: Trump should ‘read some history’
Kelly on reduced joint exercises with South Korea: Trump should ‘read some history’
Sarah Davis Tue, August 18, 2026 at 2:11 PM UTC
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Sen. Mark Kelly (D-Ariz.) suggested Monday that President Trump should brush up on his history after the president directed the Pentagon to reduce its joint exercises with South Korea.
“Trump needs to read some history and get his priorities straight,” the retired naval officer wrote on social media.
“I was part of joint military exercises when I was in the Navy,” Kelly continued. “They help us and our allies like South Korea stay well trained and coordinated. Scaling down those exercises only helps North Korea.”
The U.S. military has been participating in joint military exercises with South Korea for more than 70 years to bolster military readiness in the region.
Ulchi Freedom Shield is an annual drill that consists of “live, virtual, constructive and field-based training,” according to the U.S. military. This year’s exercises were scheduled to run from Aug. 17-27.
Trump instructed Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth to “substantially reduce” these joint military exercises in a Truth Social post on Sunday — a day before they were scheduled to begin. The president cited South Korea’s refusal to aid the U.S.’s ongoing military campaign against Iran and his “very good relationship” with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un.
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The commander in chief’s announcement followed a threat from North Korea last week ahead of the planned drills. The country’s military performed several ballistic missile tests after the U.S. and South Korea announced this year’s drill.
Other Democrats and foreign policy experts joined Kelly in criticizing the Trump administration’s decision to scale back the exercises.
New Jersey Sen. Andy Kim (D), whose parents immigrated to the U.S. from South Korea, said in a Sunday social media post that this move “suggests a disregard” from the Trump administration toward the historic alliance between the two countries.
“Decisions about joint exercises need to be made jointly - and not announced unilaterally by social media,” the senator wrote.
“I will continue to press this administration to strengthen our security, economic, trade, and technology ties - which all benefit the American people and the broader Indo-Pacific region,” Kim continued. “South Korea is an essential partner in peace and security in a part of the world filled with risk; we should treat them that way instead of venting frustration on social media.”
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