General Discussion

President Donald Trump faces legislative obstacles if he wants to make good on threats to pull the U.S. out of NATO.

However, Trump could try to sidestep 2023 legislation preventing a president from unilaterally withdrawing from the security bloc, with one U.S. political expert telling Newsweek he could ensure the U.S. "quit NATO in all but name."

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Law Prohibits NATO Withdrawal Without Congressional Backing
Secretary of State Marco Rubio has also said this week that the U.S. may "reexamine" its role in NATO. However, a law that he spearheaded would mitigate against this.

In 2023, Rubio, along with Senator Tim Kaine (D-VA) authored legislation requiring that any presidential decision to exit NATO needed either two-thirds Senate approval or to be authorized through an act of Congress.

It prohibits the president from suspending, terminating, denouncing or withdrawing the U.S. from the North Atlantic Treaty, which established NATO, without the advice and consent of the Senate or an act of Congress.

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But there is a possibility that Trump could sidestep this legislation by citing presidential authority over foreign policy.