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flamingdem

(40,916 posts) Wed Apr 1, 2026, 11:20 AM Apr 1

Tonight? Trump says he is strongly considering pulling out of NATO

The president will address the nation tonight to deliver an “important update” on the war, the White House said.

NATO TIES IN QUESTION: President Donald Trump says he is strongly considering pulling the United States out of NATO, the military alliance that has been a cornerstone of the international order since the end of World War II, after other members failed to join his war on Iran, according to Britain’s Telegraph newspaper. Trump will address the nation at 9 p.m. ET tonight to deliver an update on the war.

https://www.nbcnews.com/world/middle-east/live-blog/live-updates-iran-war-trump-address-nation-rcna266149

7 replies

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Tonight? Trump says he is strongly considering pulling out of NATO (Original Post) flamingdem Apr 1 OP

GD him. Since NATO treaty had to be ratified by Congress, can he do this legally unilaterally? hlthe2b Apr 1 #1

He's a madman flamingdem Apr 1 #2

Even if he can't Johonny Apr 1 #5

No, he can't. Ocelot II Apr 1 #3

If Republicans don't say no to this: Chasstev365 Apr 1 #4

EVERYONE NO EXCEPTIONS! flamingdem Apr 1 #6

He says this regularly. What an ass. Scrivener7 Apr 1 #7

hlthe2b

(114,057 posts)

1. GD him. Since NATO treaty had to be ratified by Congress, can he do this legally unilaterally?

Reply to flamingdem (Original post)

Wed Apr 1, 2026, 11:22 AM

Apr 1

I haven't had time to research, but I do know he has done so with other treaties. But, this is explosive, not just a trade agreement...

flamingdem

(40,916 posts)

2. He's a madman

Reply to hlthe2b (Reply #1)

Wed Apr 1, 2026, 11:29 AM

Apr 1

I can see him blaming Nato for his loss of face in the Middle East.

Johonny

(26,257 posts)

5. Even if he can't

Reply to hlthe2b (Reply #1)

Wed Apr 1, 2026, 11:31 AM

Apr 1

The president saying he won't enforce the articles signals essentially the end of the alliance and dooms USA to a much smaller place in the world. Isolationism is going to be expensive.

Ocelot II

(130,686 posts)

3. No, he can't.

Reply to flamingdem (Original post)

Wed Apr 1, 2026, 11:30 AM

Apr 1

In 2023, Congress enacted a law that prohibits the President from "suspend[ing], terminat[ing], denounc[ing], or withdraw[ing] the United States from the North Atlantic Treaty"—which established the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO)—without the advice and consent of the Senate or an act of Congress. See Section 1250A of the 2024 National Defense Authorization Act, Pub. L. No. 118-31. This provision emerged against the backdrop of debates concerning the United States' policy toward NATO and whether the President possesses the power to withdraw the United States from treaties without receiving the legislative branch's approval.

https://www.congress.gov/crs-product/R48868