Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Gen. CQ Brown underscored on Monday that the credibility of the United States is on the line in the aftermath of former President Donald Trump’s remarks indicating he would support Russia taking aggressive actions against NATO partners failing to meet defense spending guidelines.
In an interview with “NBC Nightly News,” Brown emphasized the enduring strength of the alliance, which has been in existence for 75 years.
Brown responded to Trump’s admission that, if reelected, he would not adhere to NATO’s collective-defense clause, stating, “I think we have a responsibility to uphold those alliances.”
He highlighted the critical role of U.S. credibility in maintaining alliances, asserting that U.S. leadership remains essential, desired, and closely monitored.
Brown conveyed the commitment of the United States to its alliances, emphasizing that this message has been communicated and received.
Trump, currently the 2024 Republican front-runner, faced criticism for his comments over the weekend, where he suggested he would not defend NATO allies from a Russian attack if he were reelected.
At a rally in South Carolina, Trump recounted a conversation with the president of a significant country, stating that he would not protect them and would encourage Russia to act as they pleased unless they paid their dues.
Amid political discussions, Brown acknowledged varying dialogues at the political level but affirmed his focus on building and strengthening the military aspect of the relationship with NATO.
Serving as the principal military advisor to the president, Brown stressed his commitment to fulfilling his role in collaboration with NATO allies.
Brown’s remarks follow a history of strained relations between Trump and military leaders, including Gen. Mark Milley, Brown’s predecessor.
Milley, who served as Trump’s chairman of the Joint Chiefs, was frequently criticized by Trump, and the two exchanged verbal jabs after Trump left office. During a change of command ceremony, Milley asserted loyalty to the Constitution, indirectly referencing Trump as a “wannabe dictator.”
In response, Trump criticized Milley on social media. Brown, the current chairman, addressed recent criticisms of President Joe Biden’s memory, expressing surprise and stating that Biden has a good grasp of the issues, asking pertinent questions.
Brown emphasized that Biden’s performance is not characteristic of the criticisms mentioned in a report by special counsel Robert Hur, describing the president as “pretty sharp.”
