Republican Senator McConnell backs NATO membership amid Trump exit threat

Mitch McConnell joined Democratic lawmakers in support of continued U.S. membership in North Atlantic Treaty Organization after Donald Trump said he is considering withdrawing from the military alliance.

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In a joint statement released Wednesday with Chris Coons, McConnell said NATO has long played a central role in protecting American security.

McConnell and Democrats defend alliance

“NATO is the most successful military alliance in history,” McConnell said, adding that the organization has supported U.S. security for more than seven decades.The United States is among the 12 founding members of the alliance, which was created in 1949 to provide collective defense among Western nations.

Trump questions value of NATO

Trump renewed criticism of the alliance in an interview with the British newspaper The Telegraph published Wednesday. He said a potential U.S. withdrawal from NATO was “beyond reconsideration.”

“I was never swayed by NATO,” Trump said in the interview. He described the alliance as a “paper tiger” and argued that Vladimir Putin, Russia’s president, holds the same view.

Trump has frequently criticised NATO members for what he says is insufficient support for U.S. military actions, including recent operations against Iran.In a post on the social platform Truth Social last month, Trump said NATO countries refused to join U.S. efforts to confront Iran’s nuclear ambitions. He accused allies of failing to back Washington during the campaign.

“They didn’t want to join the fight to stop a Nuclear Powered Iran,” Trump wrote, adding that the conflict had been won militarily with little risk to other countries.

Lawmakers warn against weakening NATO

McConnell and Coons argued that disagreements between allies are not unusual and should not undermine the alliance.Both senators serve on the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Defense, with McConnell as chair and Coons as ranking member. In their statement, they said U.S. security benefits from a united NATO and urged member states to preserve cooperation.

“Alliance disputes are as old as the alliance itself,” they said. “Americans are safer when NATO is strong and united.”

Separately, Mark Warner also voiced support for the alliance. Warner, vice chair of the United States Senate Select Committee on Intelligence, said NATO has remained central to U.S. national security for more than 70 years.He said the alliance deters conflict in Europe, strengthens U.S. influence globally and ensures the country does not face crises alone.

Warner rejected Trump’s criticism, saying NATO has proved its value repeatedly since its creation.

“It is not a ‘paper tiger’,” Warner said, calling Trump’s suggestion that the United States might leave the alliance “reckless” and warning that such a move would benefit Washington’s rivals.

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Adapted by ASEAN Now. Source 3 April 2026

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