Don Bacon warns Trump abandoning NATO would severely damage the Republican Party’s future
WASHINGTON, DC: Republican Congressman Don Bacon warned that any move by President Donald Trump to pull the United States out of NATO would trigger a deep internal crisis within the Republican Party.
“If he broke up NATO on his own, it would be a civil war in the Republican caucus,” Bacon said, adding that such a decision would be “totally unacceptable” to a large section of GOP lawmakers.
He stressed that many Republicans remain committed to long-standing alliances and view them as essential to countering global powers like China and Russia.
Bacon warns ‘party would implode’ if US exits from NATO
Bacon warned that dismantling NATO could have lasting political consequences for Republicans.
“It would probably destroy the party for many years,” he said. “There would be many that will never forgive that.”
He later reiterated that the GOP could “implode” if the US were to exit the alliance, underlining the depth of divisions within the party over Trump’s foreign policy approach.
Trump doubles down on NATO criticism
The warning came after Trump launched a fresh attack on NATO allies, accusing them of failing to support US military operations against Iran.
In a Truth Social post, Trump argued that despite widespread agreement that Iran must not acquire nuclear weapons, allied nations had refused to participate in ongoing operations.
“Because of the fact that we have had such Military Success, we no longer ‘need’ or desire the NATO Countries’ assistance — WE NEVER DID!” he wrote.
He also extended the argument to key US partners in the Indo-Pacific, including Japan, Australia and South Korea, declaring that the United States does not require support from any nation.
Hormuz crisis adds pressure to the ongoing rift
The dispute comes against the backdrop of rising tensions in the Strait of Hormuz, a vital global trade route that has remained shut since the conflict began on February 28.
Trump has been pushing for an international coalition to escort commercial vessels through the waterway, which is critical for transporting oil, gas and other commodities.
He warned earlier that NATO faces a “very bad” future if member states fail to support such efforts, though he has not specified which countries have agreed to participate.
