Wicker slams White House

Wicker slams White House attacks on foreign allies

It was the sharpest rebuke yet from the Senate Armed Services Committee chair following months of Trump administration criticism of NATO and European allies.

Leo Shane III

The Republican chair of the Senate Armed Services Committee condemned administration officials on Tuesday for their recent attacks on U.S. foreign allies, saying the partnerships are crucial to the long-term security of America.

“It is not helpful when American leaders speak of our alliances with derision,” said Sen. Roger Wicker (R-Miss.) in a statement before a hearing on the posture of U.S. forces in the Indo-Pacific region. “We must be clear about the numerous political, strategic and moral benefits that our country receives from its alliances.”

Numerous GOP leaders — including President Donald Trump — have sharply criticized NATO allies’ decision not to assist in America’s war against Iran. And while Wicker has admonished the administration for previous saber-rattling against European allies, such as threats to withdraw U.S. forces from the continent, Tuesday’s remarks were his sharpest criticism yet.

Still, in keeping with his past statements. Wicker did not specifically criticize Trump. Instead, he more broadly condemned skeptics within his party who have labeled foreign partners as drains on America rather than assets — a rare public rebuke of the White House by a GOP Senate stalwart.

“For decades, our alliance bonds, including NATO, have provided a comparative advantage over authoritarian states like China, North Korea, Russia and Iran,” Wicker said. “These alliances continue to pay dividends for the United States. People need to stop saying otherwise.”

Both Wicker and House Armed Services Committee Chair Mike Rogers (R-Ala.) have backed provisions in the annual defense authorization bill to strengthen ties with NATO and other foreign allies, even as Trump has suggested pulling back from those partnerships.

Wicker also voiced support for maintaining overseas military bases, saying the forward deployed troops provide a strategic advantage for America. Trump has suggested drawing down personnel from European and Pacific bases.

“Skeptics argue that the United States must shift the burden, and that word shift is what I have a problem with,” Wicker said. “I’m glad to see America’s allies stepping up, as they are doing all over the world. There’s a difference between burden shifting and burden sharing. The president has called for increased burden-sharing, and I support that.”

Adm. Samuel Paparo Jr., head of Indo-Pacific Command, testified at the hearing that U.S. troops in the region conducted more than 100 exercises with partner militaries last year, calling them key for military readiness and deterrence efforts. He lauded partner nations without directly responding to Wicker’s concerns about the administration’s stance.