The White House has unveiled a new counter-terrorism strategy that sharply criticises Europe, describing the continent as an “incubator” for terrorism driven by mass migration. Released on Wednesday, the document marks the latest in a series of confrontational statements from President Donald Trump’s administration toward European allies.
The strategy, overseen by counter-terrorism coordinator Sebastian Gorka—a figure who has faced accusations of ties to far-right groups—states: “It is clear to all that well-organised hostile groups exploit open borders and related globalist ideals. The more these alien cultures grow, and the longer current European policies persist, the more terrorism is guaranteed.”
It calls on Europe to “act now and halt its wilful decline,” framing the continent as the birthplace of Western culture and values that must be defended. This rhetoric echoes Trump’s national security strategy from earlier this year, which warned that Europe faced “civilisational erasure” due to immigration.
Broader Targets: Left-Wing Groups and Drug Cartels
Beyond Europe, the strategy expands the scope of US counter-terrorism efforts to include what it terms “violent Left-Wing Extremists, including Anarchists and Anti-Fascists.” It specifically singles out groups it describes as “radically pro-transgender,” aligning with Trump’s broader conservative agenda. The document says US efforts will “prioritise the rapid identification and neutralisation of violent secular political groups whose ideology is anti-American, radically pro-transgender, and anarchist.”
It cites the alleged killing of Trump ally and conservative influencer Charlie Kirk by a person it claims “espoused extreme transgender ideologies.” Since returning to office last year, Trump has intensified his administration’s stance against gender diversity, signing an executive order that recognises only two genders and banning transgender women from women’s sports.
The strategy also places drug cartels in the Americas at the centre of counter-terrorism priorities, reflecting a shift in focus from traditional jihadist threats to a wider array of actors.
European Reactions and Context
The fresh criticism comes as Trump has recently lashed out at European NATO allies for what he sees as insufficient support for his military campaign against Iran. The strategy’s language is likely to alarm capitals from Berlin to Paris, given that many of the countries named are longstanding US partners. The document does not differentiate between EU member states, the UK, Switzerland, Norway, or the Balkans, treating the entire continent as a single entity.
This is not the first time the Trump administration has targeted Europe. Earlier this year, the national security strategy’s reference to “civilisational erasure” drew widespread condemnation from European leaders. The new counter-terrorism strategy reinforces that narrative, framing European migration policies as a direct security threat.
European officials have yet to issue a formal response, but the strategy is expected to complicate transatlantic relations further. The European Union has its own counter-terrorism framework, which emphasises cooperation with member states and international partners, including the US. However, the tone of the White House document suggests a growing rift.
For context, the strategy’s focus on left-wing extremism marks a departure from previous US counter-terrorism approaches, which concentrated on Islamist militant groups like Al-Qaeda and ISIS. Critics argue that this expansion risks politicising counter-terrorism efforts and alienating allies who view the threat differently.
As Europe grapples with its own security challenges—from energy security to the war in Ukraine—the Trump administration’s latest broadside adds another layer of tension. Whether European leaders will push back or seek to mend fences remains to be seen.
