Trump Orders US To ‘Substantially Reduce’ Joint Military Exercises, Citing ‘Unthreatening And Respectful’ Foe

August 16, 2026 9:35 PM ET President Donald Trump has ordered a sharp cutback to the long-running military drills the United States conducts alongside South Korea.The Republican president announced the decision Sunday in a Truth Social post, directing Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth to “substantially reduce the Joint Military Exercises!” Trump said the timing left no room to scrap the drills outright, writing that “it is too late to cancel.”The exercises in question are the Ulchi Freedom Shield drills, which were scheduled to start Monday and run for 10 days, according to CNN. The Hill reported that the drills happen every year on a large scale during spring and summer to sharpen the U.S.-South Korea alliance and its readiness against regional threats.Trump tied the order to his rapport wit