Bipartisan Senators Reaffirm NATO Commitment After Trump Threatens to Abandon Alliance
A bipartisan group of senators has reaffirmed America's commitment to NATO, just one day after President Trump threatened to abandon the transatlantic alliance over what he calls inadequate European support for the Iran war.
Trump's Threat
- Trump called NATO a "paper tiger"
- Described U.S. membership as "beyond reconsideration"
- Cannot withdraw unilaterally — requires two-thirds Senate or congressional act
Senators' Response
Senators Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH) and Thom Tillis (R-NC), co-chairs of the Senate NATO Observer Group:
"Any President that contemplates attempting to withdraw from NATO is not only fulfilling Vladimir Putin and Xi Jinping's greatest dreams but would be undermining America's own national security interests."
"Congress will not allow the United States to withdraw from NATO."
The Dispute
Trump's grievance: European allies providing inadequate support for reopening the Strait of Hormuz
European perspective: Reluctance stems from Trump's failure to consult them before launching the operation, and the perception it was a "war of choice"
Constitutional Reality
- Article II, Section 2: Treaties can only be terminated by two-thirds Senate vote or congressional act
- Legal precedent: Trump cannot unilaterally withdraw from NATO
- Political reality: Strong bipartisan opposition makes withdrawal virtually impossible
Historical Parallels
The senators pointed to NATO's response after 9/11 — Article 5 invoked for the first time, with roughly 3,500 allied troops dying alongside Americans over 20 years in Afghanistan — as evidence the alliance is no "paper tiger."