Trump, GOP could reprise Ronald Reagan's 'peace through strength' defense strategy in 2025

As the 2024 Reagan National Defense Forum kicks off this weekend, the tried and true "peace through strength" strategy is at the top of military experts' - and Americans' - minds, according to the head of the Ronald Reagan Presidential Foundation & Institute.

Leaders from across the political spectrum are gathering at the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library in Simi Valley, California, to discuss and assess policies aiming to strengthen America's military.

"The U.S. military is a treasured institution and it's very important that Americans feel that way. Obviously, the most fundamental purpose of government is to defend the nation and the population," Trulio said.

"Americans want America to be engaged in the world," he expanded. "And one way we do that is by having a strong military that can deter bad actors, but also be there for us if, God forbid, we ever come to blows."

"It's a very chaotic world. China has certainly been ascending militarily, obviously economically. The Chinese navy is bigger than the U.S. Navy now," Trulio pointed out. "So people are right to stop and think, do we have the military that's fit for purpose? Our own survey data over time shows that Americans want a military that could win two wars at the same time, not just one."

America's top adversaries "are people who don't share our values, don't share our worldview. And none of us as Americans who love freedom and democracy want to live in a world dominated by those people," the president and CEO added.

Though he expressed that "nobody should get a free lunch," Trulio also noted "bright spots" in the foreign policy sector with countries that can meet U.S. responsibility, engagement and ethics. 

Fox News' Caitlin McFall contributed to this report.