Obama and Biden Slam Trump for Suggesting Russia Should Attack NATO Members

On Feb 10, Trump suggested he would only assist NATO allies that actually met their funding target. Biden slammed Trump for the comment, and Obama backed him up.

Free rein

Trump was speaking at a campaign rally in South Carolina when he recounted an interaction between himself while he was still in the White House and “one of the presidents of a big country.” The unnamed president asked Trump if he would protect them from an attack by Russia even if they failed to meet their funding goal.

Not happening

“I said, ‘You didn’t pay? You’re delinquent?’” Trump recalled. “He said, ‘Yes, let’s say that happened.’ No, I would not protect you.” Trump continued, saying, “In fact, I would encourage [Russia] to do whatever the h…ll they want.”

Outrage

“If my opponent, Donald Trump, is able to regain power, he is making it clear as day that he will abandon our NATO allies if Russia attacks and allow Russia to ‘do whatever the hell they want’ with them,” Biden stated. “Freedom and democracy itself are on the ballot in November,” he added.

Key promise

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“The promise of NATO — that an attack on one is an attack on all — keeps American families safe,” Biden posted on X. “It’s that simple. Any individual who calls into question the durability of that vow is a danger to our security.”

Agreeing

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“President Biden is absolutely right,” Obama wrote in a Feb 14 post on X. “The last thing we need right now is a world that is more chaotic and less secure; where dictators feel emboldened and our allies wonder if they can count on us. Let’s keep moving forward.”

Serious danger

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Though Obama himself has largely avoided directly confronting Trump, those close to him have expressed deep anxiety about the looming election. Michelle Obama said she was “terrified” about its outcome, and a close friend said there would be “incalculable damage” if Trump returned to the White House.

Shared view

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The friend told USA Today that Obama “absolutely” shared this view. “I don’t think [there’s] a question about that.”

Dangerous situation

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“Any suggestion that allies will not defend each other undermines all of our security, including that of the US, and puts American and European soldiers at increased risk,” NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg said in a statement. “I expect that regardless of who wins the presidential election, the US will remain a strong and committed NATO ally.”

The nitty-gritty

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According to the NATO charter, members are requested to spend at least 2 percent of their GDP on defense. However, many do not meet this requirement.

All for one

NATO’s charter also requires member nations to assist others in the event of an attack. That assistance does not necessarily have to be military. This article was invoked to help the US after the Sept 11 terrorist attacks.

Unacceptable opposition

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“encouraging invasions of our closest allies by murderous regimes is appalling and unhinged,” White House spokesperson Andrew Bates said. “It endangers American national security, global stability, and our economy at home.”

Walking the line

“Now, we do want NATO allies to pull their weight,” Nikki Haley said on CBS. “But there are ways you can do that without sitting there and telling Russia, have your way with these countries.”

Concerning support

Over the years, Trump has been repeatedly criticized for expressing admiration and support for dictators around the world, from China’s Xi Jinping to Russia’s Vladimir Putin. He also drew widespread criticism for suggesting he would be a dictator on “Day One” of his presidency, should he be re-elected to the White House.