President Joe Biden on Tuesday lambasted former President Donald Trump’s comments that he would “encourage” Russia to “do whatever the hell they want” to NATO-aligned countries that are “delinquent” — calling it “shocking” and “un-American.”
“The former president has set a dangerous, and shockingly, frankly un-American signal to the world,” Biden said in a speech at the White House.
Trump made the comments over the weekend, saying he wouldn’t protect a NATO nation that didn’t contribute enough defense funds.
President Joe Biden delivers remarks urging Congress to pass the Emergency National Security Supplemental Appropriations Act in the State Dining Room at the White House, Feb. 6, 2024.
Evelyn Hockstein/Reuters, FILE
“You don’t pay your bills, you get no protection. It’s very simple,” Trump said at a campaign event in Conway, South Carolina. “Hundreds of billions of dollars came into NATO, and that’s why they have money.”
Biden said there is a “sacred commitment” among NATO countries.
“The whole world heard it. The worst thing is, he means it,” Biden said — a scathing comment from the president who typically refrains from mentioning Trump by name in his remarks.
“No other president in our history has ever bowed down to a Russian dictator. Let me say this as clearly as I can: I never will. For god’s sake, it’s dumb, it’s shameful, it’s dangerous.”