With the deployment of a second aircraft carrier, Trump aims to rain hell on Houthis

The Trump administration has escalated American naval presence in the Middle East by deploying a second aircraft carrier to the region. It is aimed at intensifying pressure on Yemen’s Iran-backed Houthi rebels.

This strategic manoeuvre involves extending the USS Harry S. Truman’s deployment in the Red Sea by at least a month, as ordered by Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth, and redirecting the USS Carl Vinson from the East China Sea to join it. The dual-carrier presence, a rare occurrence last seen in August and September 2024, aims to bolster American efforts against the Houthis. Recent escalation involved over 50 precision airstrikes targeting Houthi infrastructure, leadership and drone capabilities since last weekend. The strikes seek to weaken the group and secure Red Sea shipping lanes, which have faced over 100 Houthi attacks on merchant vessels since November 2023, resulting in two ships sunk and four sailors killed.

The Truman, originally deployed from Virginia in September 2024, was nearing the end of its mission when extended, having operated across the North Sea, Eastern Mediterranean and Red Sea. Meanwhile, the Vinson, which left San Diego in November 2024 and carries advanced F-35C fighters, will take two to three weeks to reach the region, ensuring an overlapping presence.

This significant allocation of naval resources underscores a shift from the Biden administration’s more cautious approach, which prioritised Asia and required senior-level approval for strikes, often sparing Houthi leadership targets. Trump’s strategy grants commanders greater autonomy, widens target scope and reinstates the Houthis’ terrorist designation—lifted by Biden in 2021—to isolate them financially and deter attacks.

Secretary Hegseth is spearheading this sustained campaign, contrasting with Biden’s cautious approach towards retaliation. The intensified tempo aims to halt Houthi aggression against US interests, not to topple their regime, though concerns persist about civilian casualties and dwindling munitions stockpiles despite enhanced production. The naval buildup is also a warning to Iran, the Houthis’ primary backer, amid their stated goal of ending Israel’s Gaza campaign.

However, redirecting the Vinson from the Indo-Pacific—previously a Trump priority—raises questions about resource strain, with ship maintenance likely delayed at overstretched Navy yards. While this military pressure may degrade Houthi capabilities, experts argue a broader diplomatic strategy is vital for lasting stability. The campaign’s duration and the Houthis’ response remain uncertain, but the dual-carrier deployment provides commanders with enhanced strike and patrol options.

There is the clear risk of overextension, yet the Trump administration frames this as a decisive response to a persistent threat, balancing immediate security with long-term regional dynamics.