WASHINGTON (AP) — Donald Trump’s claim that he once told a NATO ally that he would encourage Russia “to do whatever the hell they want” to “delinquent” members of the group sent shockwaves through Europe over the weekend.
But in Washington, most Republicans downplayed or defended remarks that seemed to invite Russian aggression.
“I was here when he was president. He didn’t undermine or destroy NATO,” said Florida Sen. Marco Rubio, a longtime defense hawk.
“I think I’ll look at what his actions are rather than what his words are,” said Sen. Mike Rounds of South Dakota, who has been a strong supporter of NATO and of sending additional aid to Ukraine as the country enters its third year of war after Russia’s invasion.
As he moves closer to winning the Republican presidential nomination a third straight time, Trump’s tightening grip on the GOP is reshaping the party’s traditional defense of longstanding military alliances and rejection of Moscow, positions that date back to the days of the Soviet Union. Many who once would have responded with alarm to the NATO remarks have largely fallen in line with Trump’s priorities or have chosen to retire as it has become clear his influence has not waned.
Trump has a long history of denigrating NATO, and former administration officials say he repeatedly threatened to withdraw the U.S. from the alliance that has been central to U.S. policy for decades. One former adviser said he expects Trump to move forward with his threats if he wins a second term.
But allies and supporters argue that, despite his denunciations, Trump did not ultimately abandon NATO while president and dismiss his claims as bluster or tough negotiating tactics.
“Just look what he did in four years,” said retired Lt. Gen. Keith Kellogg, who served in Trump’s administration and is now an outside adviser. “That’s the beauty of right now. Look at the track record.”
Some, including Sen. John Barrasso, R-Wyo., credited Trump with pressuring some countries to increase their defense spending. “He kept us in NATO. He didn’t leave NATO. He made them do what they needed to do,” he said.
Even outgoing Sen. Mitt Romney, R-Utah, a longtime Trump critic, questioned whether Trump’s comments were serious, while noting that “people in other nations read it with concern and make their calculations accordingly.”
“What Donald Trump says is often designed to…