I’m ex-special forces. We veterans back Trump—he’ll stop World War III

In November 2019, while I was still serving in the British Army’s tier 1 Special Operations Unit, the SAS, I first met President Donald J. Trump.

As I walked into the president’s private study in the West Wing of the White House, President Trump came up to me and greeted me with a big handshake. The first words out of his mouth were: “Thank you for saving American lives.”

We chatted for several minutes about various subjects and then it was time to leave. Before I left his office, we stood together and posed for the official White House photographer.

Trump gave the thumbs up and beamed alongside me. I stood with my hands clasped in front of me, a smile creasing my face. I remember thinking back to my earliest days as a poor, skinny 13-year-old in the Army Cadets.

Never in my wildest dreams did I imagine my career in the army would take me to the inner sanctum of the White House.

The meeting was completely unplanned. I happened to be visiting the White House to meet with Secret Service agents and to share some of the operational lessons I learned whilst I was working in Africa.

There were no press or media present, nor did the British government know about this meeting with the president. For Trump, there was nothing to gain from this. And yet, the most powerful man on the planet took time out of his incredibly busy schedule to thank me, someone of no importance or influence, for saving American lives.

It is this demonstration of character that has left a lasting impression on me.

I supported Donald Trump long before I met him in 2019. Almost all of the people I have worked with since retiring in 2020—whether serving or retired U.S. military, members of three letter agencies or law enforcement personnel—also overwhelmingly support Trump.

Why is that? I believe the reason Trump appeals to the warrior class is because of his strength and fortitude. Never afraid to upset people or challenge the establishment, Trump’s no-nonsense approach to difficult issues and how he deals with situations sets him apart as the kind of man who has the guts to do and say the right or necessary thing.

When America’s adversaries see weakness or poor leadership, they are emboldened. When they see American strength, they are restrained and seek diplomacy. Under President Trump, the U.S. saw one of the most stable and peaceful times in the world’s history. Rather than taking the U.S. into new wars, Trump forged trade deals and made peace accords that grew the economy and secured American jobs.

When you look at the world right now, all you can see is conflict. Trump knows the cost of this and is warning us of the cataclysmic direction the U.S. and the world is heading.

Many believe, as do I, that a strengthened and supported U.S. military with Trump at the helm is desperately needed right now to avoid World War III.

In August 2024, Trump attended a memorial service at Arlington National Cemetery. He had been invited by Gold Star families who had lost loved ones during the disastrous Afghanistan withdrawal created by Vice President Kamala Harris and President Joe Biden.

Trump demonstrated the utmost respect, believing in the importance of remembering and honoring the families’ loss.

Nevertheless, his principled actions drew criticism from political opponents, the state and elements of the media. His critics accused him of breaking Arlington’s rules around political campaigning.

But both Presidents Barack Obama and Biden have visited and had photographs taken at Arlington cemetery (including Section 60 for the Iraq and Afghanistan wars) while in office.

Therefore, I would argue that the main reason for the criticism of Trump was because his support for the Gold Star families reflected badly on Harris and Biden and their apparent lack of respect for the fallen.

Almost everyone I have dealings with, in all walks of American life, has had nothing but praise for Trump and his support and respect to the Gold Star families. The real criticisms I hear are always directed at Harris and Biden.

You may think I live in an echo chamber of like-minded people, but I frequently hear these views also expressed by people I encounter in my everyday life. For the record, my circle of friends, acquaintances and co-workers represents a diverse mix of U.S. society.

Trump is far more popular than most care to acknowledge. The last time I was privileged to spend time with Trump is a story of grit, leadership and humility.

In May 2024, I had the honor of speaking at the Trump rally in Wildwood, New Jersey. Being the speaker before Donald Trump and to tens of thousands of people was an amazing experience for me, but I want to tell you instead about what happened en route to New Jersey, onboard the aircraft known as Trump Force 1.

I was sat across from the president, feeling somewhat apprehensive about addressing so many people at the rally. Not for the first time in my life was I operating well outside my comfort zone and wondering how the hell I ended up in this spot.

A few minutes after taking off from LaGuardia airport in New York City, Trump announced to everyone in earshot: “Christian ran into a hotel by himself to take on a load of terrorists. Can you imagine that? It’s not something I would do, I wouldn’t have been much help. Thank God we have people like him.”

Although this praise from the president made me feel very uneasy, he did achieve what I think was his aim. Sensing my nervousness, he made me feel a lot more at ease and more comfortable in my surroundings, which were totally alien to me. Even more, by playing down what he would have done in the midst of the terrorist attack I had found myself in January 2019, he demonstrated humility and grace.

Two months later, Trump came under live fire himself when an assassin tried and failed to end his life. Trump was shot in the ear, narrowly escaping death, and was quickly secured by Secret Service agents.

In my 28 years of active military service, I’ve seen a few highly trained individuals fold when placed under pressure. In your moment of crisis and extreme pressure, no one knows how they are going to react. Some people fold and some people focus. Sometimes it’s a matter of training, but most of the time, it’s a matter of character.

On that fateful day in July, instead of folding under pressure, Trump focused. He showed the world—and dare I say it, much to the chagrin of the mainstream media and the DNC—that he could hold his nerve under the most extreme of pressure.

While he was being led from the stage, he raised a fist shouting “fight!” to all who would hear it.

This demonstration of strength and courage sums up why I, as well as most other people in the warrior class, admire Trump and would love to see him as the 47th president and saving American lives.

Christian Craighead served 28 years in the British military, including as a senior and highly decorated member of 22 SAS, the British Army’s Special Mission Unit known for covert reconnaissance, counter-terrorism and hostage rescue. In 2019, he single- handedly shifted the outcome of a terrorist attack on a hotel complex in Kenya. Craighead retired in 2020 and now resides in Texas.

All views expressed are the author’s own.

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