Republican senators in the U.S. Senate have joined their Democratic counterparts in criticizing President Donald Trump over his statements about a possible U.S. withdrawal from NATO. Senators called such ideas “the fulfillment of a dream” for Vladimir Putin and Xi Jinping. The statement was issued by Republican Senator Thom Tillis and Democratic Senator Jeanne Shaheen, who jointly lead the Senate NATO Observer Group.
“Any president who considers withdrawing from NATO not only fulfills the deepest dreams of Vladimir Putin and Xi Jinping, but also undermines America’s national security interests,” Tillis and Shaheen said in a joint statement.
They emphasized that NATO is “the strongest and most successful military alliance in history,” one that promotes economic stability, protects vital trade relationships, and serves as a “force multiplier” in a dangerous world. The senators recalled that NATO allies stood with the United States following the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks, and that their soldiers fought and died alongside American troops in Afghanistan.
Tillis and Shaheen also noted that Congress would not allow the United States to leave the alliance unilaterally. Under a previously passed bipartisan law — originally introduced by then-Senator Marco Rubio, now Secretary of State — withdrawal requires congressional approval rather than a decision by the president alone.
The criticism came a day after President Trump stated on April 1, 2026, that he was “seriously considering” withdrawing the United States from NATO. He cited allies’ refusal to join a joint military operation with Israel against Iran and called the alliance a “paper tiger.”
Earlier, another prominent Republican — Senator Mitch McConnell — had leveled similar criticism at Trump.