Turner supports Trump on NATO: ‘Rallies ≠ Policies
House Intelligence Committee Chairman Defends Trump’s Remarks on NATO
In a recent interview on “Meet The Press,” House Intelligence Committee Chairman Mike Turner (R-OH) passionately defended former President Donald Trump’s stance on NATO countries needing to fulfill their financial obligations in order to receive protection against Russian aggression.
During the interview with Kristen Welker, Turner responded to Trump’s rally statement where he emphasized that NATO countries must pay their fair share into the alliance or risk losing protection. Turner highlighted Trump’s anecdote about a president of a NATO country questioning whether they would be defended if attacked by Russia:
“One of the presidents of a big country stood up, 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?’ He said, ‘Yes, let’s say that happened.’
‘No, I would not protect you. In fact, I would encourage them to do whatever the hell they want. You got to pay. You got to pay your bills.’ And the money came flowing in. If I said, ‘Yes, I will. You don’t have to pay. Yes, I will.’ Most politicians have said to that, ’Yes, we will protect you under any circumstances.’ Well, then they’re never paying up. I said, ‘No, no. You have to understand you don’t pay your bills, you get no protection.’ It’s very simple. Hundreds of billions of dollars came into NATO, and that’s why they have money today because of what I did.”
When asked if he was comfortable with Trump’s comments, Turner firmly stated that Trump had actually increased funding to NATO during his presidency. He emphasized that Trump consistently pushed countries to meet their 2% commitment and that his efforts had already resulted in increased spending by NATO countries.
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When pressed again about his comfort level with Trump’s remarks, Turner reiterated that Trump’s political rallies should not be taken as a direct reflection of his policies. He pointed out that Trump’s record included increased funding for NATO, the European Reassurance Initiative, and being the first president to provide lethal weapons to Ukraine.
Watch the interview below:
WATCH: Trump said he’d “encourage” Russia to invade NATO countries that haven’t paid their bills. @RepMikeTurner (R-Ohio) says, “Trump’s rallies don’t really translate into … [his] actual policies.”
“I think his record is strong, and I think that’s what’s important.” pic.twitter.com/3l2G6M48rZ
— Meet the Press (@MeetThePress) February 18, 2024
What are the criticisms of Trump’s approach and how does Turner counter them?
Ot going to pay.”
Turner argued that Trump’s approach was necessary in order to ensure that NATO countries fulfill their financial commitments and contribute their fair share to the alliance. He emphasized that it is not fair for the United States to bear the majority of the financial burden for protecting NATO countries while others fail to meet their obligations.
This defense of Trump’s remarks comes amidst ongoing debates and discussions on the importance of burden-sharing within NATO. Trump’s statements during his presidency put a spotlight on the issue and sparked discussions on the need for all member countries to meet their financial obligations.
Critics of Trump’s approach argue that it undermines the unity and collective defense principle of NATO. They argue that the alliance is based on mutual support and solidarity, and each member’s contribution should not be solely measured in financial terms. They caution against turning NATO into a mere transactional relationship based on monetary contributions.
However, Turner countered these criticisms by arguing that financial commitments are a fundamental part of any partnership or alliance. He emphasized that it is not about creating a transactional relationship, but rather about ensuring that all NATO countries are equally invested in the alliance’s success.
Turner also pointed out that Trump’s approach yielded positive results. After Trump pushed for increased defense spending by NATO countries, there was a significant increase in contributions from member states. This increase in financial commitments demonstrates that Trump’s tactics were effective in addressing the issue of burden-sharing within the alliance.
While some may disagree with Trump’s rhetoric or style, Turner believes that his focus on burden-sharing was an important and necessary aspect of his presidency. He argued that it is essential for NATO to address imbalances in financial contributions, as it strengthens the alliance’s unity and credibility.
In conclusion, House Intelligence Committee Chairman Mike Turner passionately defended Trump’s remarks on NATO and the importance of financial obligations. He argued that Trump’s approach was necessary in order to address the issue of burden-sharing within the alliance. While critics may have concerns about turning NATO into a transactional relationship, Turner emphasized that financial commitments are a fundamental part of any partnership or alliance. Despite differing opinions on Trump’s style and rhetoric, Turner believes that his focus on burden-sharing was an important aspect of his presidency that contributed to the alliance’s success.
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