Matt Whitaker, former acting attorney general under President Donald Trump, has emphasized that the US commitment to NATO remains “ironclad” during his confirmation hearing for the role of NATO ambassador.
Whitaker reassured the Senate Foreign Relations Committee on Tuesday that, despite Trump’s prior criticism of NATO, the United States continues to strongly support the alliance. A key part of Whitaker’s role, he said, would be ensuring NATO’s 32 member states meet Trump’s heightened defense spending targets, which have now been raised to 5% of GDP.
Trump’s past remarks have rattled the alliance, with the former president threatening to withdraw US support for NATO if European members fail to meet their defense spending obligations. Whitaker, however, rejected concerns that the US’s commitment to NATO was in doubt, asserting, “President Trump has been clear, the United States remains committed to NATO and the principle of peace through strength.”
One of the central points raised during the hearing was NATO’s defense spending. Trump’s earlier criticism led many European allies, such as Poland, to increase military expenditures, with some countries already exceeding the alliance’s previous target of 2% of GDP. However, Trump now seeks to raise the bar, demanding a 5% contribution from member states.
While Democratic senators pushed Whitaker to directly address Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, he avoided specifics but reiterated his firm support for NATO’s Article 5, which commits all member states to defend one another in case of an attack.
Whitaker also expressed his belief that European NATO members and Canada are capable of increasing their contributions to defense spending to ensure NATO’s future strength. “I fully expect they will do what’s necessary to make NATO the strongest alliance ever,” he stated.
NATO’s defense spending has become a focal point of US foreign policy under Trump, who has continually pushed member states to contribute more. Whitaker’s nomination aims to bolster US influence within NATO, ensuring alignment with Trump’s broader defense objectives.
Trump’s pick of Whitaker for the NATO position was announced in November, with the president describing him as a “strong warrior and loyal patriot,” signaling a continued focus on advancing and defending US interests within the alliance.