Rep. Robert Garcia (D-Calif.), an outspoken member of the House Oversight Committee, condemned this weekend remarks from GOP presidential primary front-runner Donald Trump, who suggested there was some scenario in which he’d encourage Russian military forces to attack members of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO).
“Donald Trump made clear this weekend that he would turn his back on NATO allies and begin rounding up immigrants with his own version of a state police system. This is insane talk from a dangerous man. Where is the wall to wall media coverage?” Garcia wrote on X.
NATO is a mutual defense alliance, operating on an agreement among members for mutual defense in the event a member is attacked. Trump claimed that while in office, he told a fellow world leader that he’d encourage Russia to fulfill any ambitions in the event a member fell short of ostensible financial obligations.
“The president of a big country stood up and said, ‘Well sir, if we don’t pay, and we’re attacked by Russia, will you protect us?’ I said, ‘You didn’t pay? You’re delinquent?’.. ‘No, I would not protect you. In fact, I would encourage them to do whatever the hell they want,’” Trump remarked. Trump has routinely taken the idea of NATO members falling short in such a manner to extremes.
Spotlighting an arguable dearth of focus on Trump’s antagonism, some have condemned the pace of media coverage around trumped up questions over incumbent President Joe Biden’s age, though there are no clear, specific indications of him falling short of physical or mental requirements for serving. Meanwhile, Trump also continues openly aligning himself with Capitol riot participants, characterizing detainees with criminal allegations originating in the day as “hostages.” He’s taken pride in the U.S. Supreme Court’s decision with three of his nominees on the bench to overturn Roe v. Wade, has argued again for draconian immigration policies, and more, creating high stakes for 2024.
