Thousands of furious Americans are demanding that Barron Trump join the US military following airstrikes in Iran, but the 19-year-old is medically exempt.
Millions around the world are watching on in horror as tensions between nations escalate in ways we have not seen in decades.
Over the weekend (February 28) the US and Israel conducted military airstrikes in Iran, with the intention of killing the country’s Supreme Leader, Ali Khamenei.
President Trump later confirmed in a post on Truth Social that the mission had been successful, announcing Khamenei’s death, and Iran declared 40 days of mourning, as well as a seven-day national holiday following the news.
Why did America and Isreal strike Iran?
Both the US and Israel have, for some years, stated that they see Iran’s nuclear program and missile systems as a major threat to other nations, in particular the West.
They believe that if Iran develops advanced nuclear capabilities or long-range missiles, it could pose a danger to Israel, US forces in the region, and American allies.
Many countries have stated that the Iranian government under Khamenei was highly authoritarian and hostile to Western policies.
But it’s also true that many Iranians themselves were seeking freedom and reforms.
Human rights organizations and the United Nations have criticized Iran’s leadership for crackdowns on protests, limitations on free speech, arbitrary arrests, and harsh punishments for critics in years gone by.
Israel were seeking to weaken Iran’s government and influence in the Middle East, but critics say the reasoning is disputed and that the actions now risk a wider war.
Who would be drafted first?
Public anxiety about a third world war has reached levels not seen in decades.
A YouGov survey found that 41-55% of Western Europeans believe another world war is likely within 5-10 years, with 45% of Americans sharing this concern. Between 68-76% expect that such a conflict would involve nuclear weapons.
In the US, several people would be exempt or receive special consideration during any draft.
Women remain exempt from Selective Service registration, as no law has made registration mandatory despite their service in virtually all military roles.
Individuals with medical or mental health conditions, including chronic illnesses, disabilities, and serious psychological issues, are also likely be deferred or exempted entirely.
Full-time students have historically received deferments, particularly those close to completing degrees.
In America, all male US citizens and male immigrants ages 18-25 must register for the Selective Service System within 30 days of their 18th birthday.
If a war was to break, those whose 20th birthday falls during the lottery year would be called first, the SSS explains.
If insufficient, the system expands to ages 21, 22, 23, 24, and 25. Only after exhausting ages 20-25 would it move to 19-year-olds, then those 18 and a half.
Donald Trump exempt from Vietnam war
A young Donald Trump, 22 to be exact, was in seemingly good health as the United States was involved in one of the bloodiest years of the Vietnam War.
Trump, 6 feet 2 inches tall and an athlete, had already avoided the military draft four times in order to complete his college education at the University of Pennsylvania.
Yet as he was set to graduate in spring, he received a diagnosis that landed him a fifth draft deferment that would once again keep him out of the Vietnam War – bone spurs.
Put simply, his bone spurs were a calcium buildup on the heel bone, which made him unfit for service.
#SendBarron trending online
Over the weekend, thousands of US citizens were demanding that Barron should be sent to serve in the conflict, given his age and stature.
“I am not joking about drafting Barron, send him in first,” one wrote.
Another added: “Baron should be the first one to be drafted.”
“Baron’s name should be at the tippy-top of the list,” a third noted.
As a fourth said in response to his medical exemption: “Like father, like son.”
While somebody else said: “Don’t care, send him anyways.”
Another questioned: “Why not demonstrate that Trump family spirit of patriotism and sacrifice by sending Barron to fight Iran?”
Even a former South Park writer was vocal about calls for Barron to be drafted, as the President noted that there had been more American casualties than expected in the Iran strikes.
Why is Barron exempt?
The Irish Star reports that Barron would likely be too tall for many of the roles in the armed forces, standing at an imposing 6’9″.
Many of the military roles require confinement to smaller spaces such as tanks, armored vehicles, and aircraft.
The army typically sets a maximum height of 80 inches (6’8″) for certain roles, which could make Barron ineligible for those specific positions.
