Jeffries calls Trump's NATO threats 'reckless'

House Minority Leader says former president's withdrawal plan would undermine global security

Apr. 5, 2026 at 6:36pm

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-NY) criticized former President Trump's past threats to withdraw the United States from the NATO alliance, calling the proposal 'reckless' and warning it would undermine global security and America's standing in the world.

Why it matters

Trump's repeated threats to pull out of NATO during his presidency raised concerns among U.S. allies and foreign policy experts, who viewed it as an abandonment of a critical international alliance that has maintained stability in Europe since the end of World War II.

The details

In an interview on ABC's 'This Week,' Jeffries said Trump's plan to withdraw from NATO would have been a dangerous move that would have weakened America's global influence and damaged relationships with key European partners.

  • The interview with Jeffries aired on April 5, 2026.

The players

Hakeem Jeffries

The Democratic Congressman from New York who serves as the House Minority Leader.

Donald Trump

The former President of the United States who repeatedly threatened to withdraw the U.S. from the NATO alliance during his time in office.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“We must not let individuals continue to damage private property in San Francisco.”

— Robert Jenkins, San Francisco resident

The takeaway

Jeffries' comments highlight the ongoing political divisions over America's role in global institutions like NATO, with Democrats generally supporting continued U.S. participation and some Republicans, like the former president, favoring a more isolationist approach.