Trump admin considers giving up NATO command that has been exclusively American since Eisenhower

[BumRushDaShow]

Source: NBC News

Mar. 18, 2025, 5:18 PM EDT


For nearly 75 years, it has been a distinctly American responsibility to have a four-star U.S. general oversee all NATO military operations in Europe — a command that began with then-World War II hero and future president Dwight D. Eisenhower. But the Trump administration, according to two defense officials familiar with the planning and a Pentagon briefing reviewed by NBC News, is considering changing that.

The Pentagon is undertaking a significant restructuring of the U.S. military’s combatant commands and headquarters. And one of the plans under consideration, the two defense officials said, would involve the U.S. giving up the role of NATO's Supreme Allied Commander Europe — known within military parlance as the SACEUR. The general now in this role, who also serves as the head of U.S. European Command, has been the primary commander overseeing support to Ukraine in its war against Russia.

It is not clear how long such a reorganization could take, and it could by modified by the time it is complete. Congress could also weigh in, using the power of the purse should members oppose any aspect of the initiative. Giving up SACEUR would, if nothing else, be a major symbolic shift in the balance of power in NATO, the alliance that has defined European security and peace since World War II.

“For the United States to give up the role of supreme allied commander of NATO would be seen in Europe as a significant signal of walking away from the alliance,” retired Adm. James Stavridis, who served as SACEUR and head of European Command from 2009 to 2013, said in an email.

Read more: https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/national-security/trump-admin-considers-giving-nato-command-exclusively-american-eisenho-rcna196503

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Where are all those neocons? Still throwing barbs at "the libs"?

[Walleye]

1. Well, he did have a long conversation with Putin today

[Botany]

2. Surrendering to Putin by Trump end of story.

I wonder how much he got paid to do this?

This is shameful act by a man who has no shame.

[ck4829]

3. NATO to me comes before the Republican Party

I'll come out against "respecting the office of President" before I question the legitimacy of NATO.

[bob4460]

4. Unbelievable that the Republicans are letting this go

Giving up on NATO is incredibly stupid.

[DENVERPOPS]

6. Unless

he hands command of NATO over to Putin, which I could believe is something Trump would do.......
Of course, maybe Trump is recognizing he may need the general here when Trump needs a subservient pawn to run his Martial Law Program.....

[PortTack]

8. He can't leave NATO with an EO. It now takes 2/3rds of both house and senate

Giving up command good…. Who wants our worthless input with idiots like hogsbreath in charge

Best left to the real leaders of the free world.

[BumRushDaShow]

10. As PortTack noted - there was a law passed by Congress explicitly requiring approval

Under a 2023 law, a president can’t unilaterally withdraw from the alliance without a two-thirds supermajority in the Senate or an act of Congress.

This was the bill that was inserted in the NDAA (National Defense Authorization Act) back in late 2023 -

S.J.Res.37 - A joint resolution requiring the advice and consent of the Senate or an Act of Congress to suspend, terminate, or withdraw the United States from the North Atlantic Treaty and authorizing related litigation, and for other purposes.

Here is the NDAA (for FY24) -

H.R.2670 - National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2024

In part, what was inserted in the above -

SEC. 1250A. LIMITATION ON WITHDRAWAL FROM
THE NORTH ATLANTIC TREATY
ORGANIZATION.

(a) Opposition of Congress to Suspension, Termination, Denunciation,
or Withdrawal From North Atlantic Treaty.--The President shall not
suspend, terminate, denounce, or withdraw the United States from the
North Atlantic Treaty, done at Washington, DC, April 4, 1949, except by
and with the advice and consent of the Senate, provided that two-thirds
of the Senators present concur, or pursuant to an Act of Congress.
(b) Limitation on the Use of Funds.--No funds authorized or
appropriated by any Act may be used to support, directly or indirectly,
any decision on the part of any United States Government official to
suspend, terminate, denounce, or withdraw the United States from the
North Atlantic Treaty, done at Washington,

(snip)

[Snarkoleptic]

5. maga is all in on Pro-Putin anti-Americanism.

n/t

[Grins]

7. Go on - try to convince me Trump isn't a Russian asset.

I can’t imagine being that American General coming to work after the Zelenskyy horror in the White House, and facing all those allied staff officers.

Must have suddenly become a very cold room.

[underpants]

9. There's no way to deny it. Especially now.

It’s blatantly obvious. Almost immediately talking of relieving sanctions to the blow up in the Oval to stopping monitoring Russian activity to shutting down election interference programs.

Trump never gets upstaged and he’s clearly cowing to Putin.

[NNadir]

11. They should, since the US may eventually be expelled, and European troops deployed on the Canadian border to defend...

...Canada.