Donald Trump threatened, if re-elected in the November 5 presidential election, to no longer guarantee the protection of NATO member countries from Russia and promised a massive wave of expulsions at the border with Mexico during a meeting, Saturday, February 10, in South Carolina.
The former president regularly criticizes his allies in the Atlantic Alliance for not sufficiently funding the institution. During this meeting, Mr. Trump reported a conversation with one of the NATO heads of state, without naming him. “One of the presidents 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?’ “, says the billionaire before revealing his answer: “No, I would not protect you. In fact I would encourage them to do whatever they want to you. You must pay your debts. »
This statement comes after Mr. Trump, likely Republican candidate against Democratic President Joe Biden, put pressure on Republican elected officials in Congress to bury a bill providing for the payment of new aid to Ukraine as well as a reform of migration policy. The billionaire has often been doubtful, and sometimes hostile, about continued American aid to Ukraine and even threatened to leave NATO if he returned to the White House.
“Appalling and insane”
The White House responded to Mr. Trump’s statements by touting Mr. Biden’s efforts to strengthen alliances around the world. “Encouraging the invasion of our closest allies by murderous regimes is appalling and senseless,” responded Andrew Bates, White House spokesperson, in a statement released Saturday evening. Rather than calling for war and promoting chaos, President Biden will continue to support American leadership. »
The agreement blocked in Congress provided for an additional aid package to Ukraine and Israel. Amounting to $95 billion (€88 billion), it will be debated next week and includes funds for Israel’s fight against Hamas and for a strategic ally, Taiwan. The lion’s share, however, would help Ukraine replenish its weapons and ammunition stocks, as the country enters a third year of war.
Mr. Trump also once again took up the burning issue of immigration, another major controversial subject in the electoral campaign. Under his pressure, Republican elected officials seem to have decided to block any reform of migration policy before the presidential election. “Let’s not forget that this week we also won a big victory that all conservatives should celebrate. We crushed that crook Joe Biden’s disastrous plan on open borders,” the billionaire said.
The former president, who built his popularity by promising the construction of a wall between the United States and Mexico, assured that the expulsion of migrants would be one of his priorities if he returned to the White House . “I will end all open border policies of the Biden administration and we will launch the largest domestic deportation operation in American history,” he said.
Attacks on Nikki Haley’s husband
During his meeting, Mr. Trump also took a dig at Nikky Haley, former governor of the state of South Carolina and her rival for the Republican nomination, ironically about the absence of her husband at her side during countryside. “Where is her husband? Oh, he’s gone, he’s gone. What happened to her husband? », he said with voice effects.
Largely left behind in the race for the nomination, the former United States ambassador to the UN responded dryly on deployed in the service of our country, something you know nothing about. Someone who continually disrespects the sacrifices of military families has no business being commander in chief. »
