Speaking at the White House, Biden said Trump's comments sent a dangerous and “shameful” signal to the world. Mr. Biden was referring to a speech Mr. Trump gave at a campaign rally in South Carolina in which he imagined him asking whether the United States would protect him from a Russian attack if NATO members didn't pay up. said.
“I said, 'You didn't pay. You're a delinquent.' He said, 'Yes, let's say that happened.' No, I won’t protect you,” Trump told the crowd at the time. “In fact, I would encourage them to do whatever they want to do.”
Biden said Tuesday that the worst part of President Trump's speech was “he means it.”
“Can you imagine a former president of the United States saying something like that? The whole world heard it,” Biden said. “No president in the history of our country has ever capitulated to a Russian dictator. Well, let me be as clear as I can. I would never do that. Just to be clear, that's stupid. It's embarrassing. It's dangerous. It's un-American.”
Biden said Trump does not understand that the NATO alliance is America's “sacred promise.”
“Donald Trump looks at this like it's a burden. When he looks at NATO, he doesn't see an alliance that will protect America and the world. He's taking protection payments,” Biden said. Ta. “He doesn't understand that NATO is built on fundamental principles of freedom, security, and national sovereignty. Because principles never matter to Trump. Everything is transactional.”
Biden also noted that NATO Article 5 (which states that an armed attack against one or more NATO members “shall be considered an attack against all States”) has only been invoked once, in September. He also mentioned that from the 9th onwards, he would be on the side of the United States. 11 attacks.
America's adversaries have long wanted the NATO alliance to collapse, the president added.
“I have no doubt that everyone cheered when they heard Donald Trump's words, and what he said. I know this: I will not walk away. No more presidents will walk away. I can't imagine it,” he said. “As long as I'm president, [Russian leader Vladimir] President Putin will attack NATO allies, but the United States will defend every inch of NATO territory. ”
Asked for comment on Biden's remarks, the Trump campaign pointed to a weekend statement from Trump adviser Jason Miller.
Miller derided concerns about President Trump's NATO comments as concerns raised by “pearl-grabbers in the Democratic Party and the media,” saying Trump was effective in making NATO countries “pay a price” during his presidency. Ta.
“If we don't pay for defense, it shouldn't be surprising that there are more wars,” Miller said.
Biden reiterated Tuesday that history will see what Congress does.
“Our nation is at a tipping point, and the decisions we make now will determine the course of our future for decades to come,” Biden said. “Congressman, I say to all House Republicans: You must decide whether you will stand for freedom or take the side of terror and tyranny.” Are you going to support Ukraine? , or are you going to support Putin? Which side do you stand with, America or Trump? ”
Azi Paybarah contributed to this report.