Senator Mike Lee, a Republican from Utah, recently introduced the “Not A Trusted Organization (NATO) Act, calling for the U.S. to withdraw from NATO, arguing that the alliance is outdated and unfairly burdens American taxpayers.
Lee has described NATO as a “Cold War relic” that benefits Europe more than the U.S., echoing sentiments he has expressed since at least 2024, when he criticized NATO’s financial imbalances and opposed Ukraine’s potential membership. President Trump, during his first term, reportedly privately floated the idea of withdrawing from NATO, though he has recently expressed support for the alliance while pushing for higher defense spending from members.
Lee’s push aligns with some Republicans and figures like Elon Musk, who argue that the U.S. shoulders too much of NATO’s financial and military load. The U.S. contributes about 68% of NATO’s total defense spending, significantly more than other members, with only six countries, including the U.S., spending over 2.5% of their GDP on defense. NATO’s core purpose is collective defense, primarily through Article 5, which treats an attack on one member as an attack on all, invoked only once after the 9/11 attacks. Lee’s legislation, supported by Senators Rand Paul and Marsha Blackburn, demands transparency on allies’ contributions and aims to address perceived “freeloading” by European nations.
However, bipartisan measures in Congress, like the 2023 National Defense Authorization Act, require Senate approval or an act of Congress for withdrawal, making Lee’s bill’s passage uncertain. Critics argue that withdrawing could weaken Western security, especially amid tensions over Ukraine and Russia, while supporters see it as prioritizing American interests. NATO’s ongoing relevance is debated, with Lee asserting that Europe must fund its own security, while others emphasize its role in deterring Russian aggression.
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