Oppose U.S. Withdrawal from NATO

Trump has spent years criticizing the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO), and as President he has repeatedly floated the idea of U.S. withdrawal, prompting Congress to enact legislation in 2023 prohibiting the president from officially withdrawing from the treaty without approval from the Senate or an act of Congress.

In recent months, Trump’s anger over allies who refused to join his war with Iran has led him to carry out petty public feuds with European leaders and muse about cutting U.S. forces in Europe. At this week’s summit in Ankara, Turkey, Trump once again downplayed NATO’s worth even as members bend to his demands for higher defense spending, calling it a “paper tiger”, telling allies he needs their “loyalty” more than their money, and promoting his vision of “NATO 3.0." He also used the summit to reaffirm his desire to take control of Greenland, again suggesting that the U.S. could pull all of its troops out of Europe if NATO “wouldn’t go along with it.”

This turmoil comes at a critical moment for Ukraine, which is still fighting off a Russian invasion in its fifth year and has made a renewed appeal for NATO membership. A weakened or fractured NATO would leave Ukraine more exposed at a time when it can least afford it.

As Trump continues to sow discord and undermine U.S. commitment to NATO, Congress must use its power to preserve this important alliance, especially when unified support remains critical for Ukraine and broader European security.