Trump Floats Withdrawal From NATO: ‘I Don’t Need Congress’

President Donald Trump said Tuesday he is considering a dramatic shift in U.S. foreign policy, signaling that the United States could potentially withdraw from NATO—and insisting he does not need congressional approval to do so.

Speaking to reporters, Trump voiced frustration with the alliance, arguing that the United States has carried a disproportionate financial burden for decades.

“Well, I’m disappointed in NATO, that we spend trillions of dollars on NATO. Think of it, trillions over the years. Many trillions of dollars,” Trump said. “It’s one of the reasons we have deficits and we help other countries.”

Trump went further, suggesting that the decision to exit the alliance could be made unilaterally by the executive branch.

“I don’t need Congress for that decision, as you probably know. I can make that decision myself,” he said. “I’d always deal with Congress anyway, but I don’t need Congress for that decision.”

“Frankly, Ukraine would have been over in the first day,” he added.

WATCH:

JUST IN: President Trump says he is thinking about leaving NATO, says he doesn’t need approval from Congress.

Reporter: Are you rethinking the United States’ relationship with NATO? Possibly getting out?

Trump: I’m disappointed in NATO that we spend trillions of dollars on… pic.twitter.com/zNVkPrZQOa

— Collin Rugg (@CollinRugg) March 17, 2026

The remarks come amid growing tensions between the United States and several NATO allies over military operations in the Middle East, particularly involving Iran. In a post on Truth Social earlier Tuesday, Trump sharply criticized NATO countries for what he described as a lack of support for recent U.S. military action against Iran.

“The United States has been informed by most of our NATO ‘Allies’ that they don’t want to get involved with our Military Operation against the Terrorist Regime of Iran,” Trump wrote. “I always considered NATO… to be a one way street — We will protect them, but they will do nothing for us, in particular, in a time of need.”

“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 added.

The president went on to expand that view beyond Europe, stating that the United States does not rely on traditional allies such as Japan, Australia, or South Korea.

“Speaking as President of the United States of America… WE DO NOT NEED THE HELP OF ANYONE!” Trump wrote.

Trump’s comments are likely to reignite debate in Washington over the scope of presidential authority in foreign alliances. While treaties like NATO are ratified by the Senate, the question of whether a president can unilaterally withdraw from such agreements remains unresolved and has been the subject of legal and constitutional debate.

For now, Trump has not formally initiated any withdrawal process. But his comments—and his insistence that he could act without Congress—signal that the future of America’s role in NATO may once again be on the table.

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