Politics
Liz Cheney calls out Trump’s ‘appalling’ NATO comments
By Jake Beardslee · February 12, 2024
In brief…
- Cheney strongly condemned Trump's comments on X
- Other Republicans including Haley and Christie also criticized Trump
- Experts warn Trump's rhetoric could undermine NATO unity
Former President Donald Trump is facing bipartisan criticism for recent comments encouraging Russian President Vladimir Putin to attack NATO allies. At a rally in South Carolina over the weekend, Trump recalled a conversation with an unnamed world leader where the person asked if the U.S. would protect their NATO country from a Russian attack. “I said, ‘You didn’t pay, you’re delinquent?’” Trump told the crowd, adding that he would “encourage them to do whatever the h—l they want.”
In a post on X, former Wyoming Representative Liz Cheney strongly condemned Trump’s remarks. “NATO is the most successful military alliance in history. It’s essential to deterring war & defending American security,” Cheney wrote. “No sane American President would encourage Putin to attack our NATO allies,” she added.
Other prominent Republicans also spoke out against Trump. Nikki Haley, a potential 2024 challenger, said siding with Russia is “the last thing we ever want to do,” Newsweek reported. Meanwhile, Chris Christie called Trump’s comments “absolutely inappropriate.”
Experts warn Trump’s rhetoric could undermine NATO unity. Javed Ali from the Gerald R. Ford School of Public Policy told Newsweek that Trump’s remarks are “the most disparaging regarding the viability of NATO from any U.S. president.”