For decades, NATO has been the sacred cow of U.S. foreign policy, treated as an untouchable pillar of Western security. But in reality, it has morphed into a bloated, outdated alliance that shackles America to Europe’s problems while doing little to advance U.S. interests. President Donald Trump has been right to criticize NATO, and now he should take the next logical step—leave it altogether.
America Carries NATO on Its Back
The original premise of NATO was simple: a mutual defense pact to deter Soviet aggression. But the Soviet Union collapsed over 30 years ago, and instead of dissolving or adapting to modern threats, NATO has only expanded, dragging the U.S. into unnecessary conflicts and demanding more American resources.
Let’s talk numbers. The United States contributes nearly 70% of NATO’s total military spending. Meanwhile, wealthy European nations—many of which enjoy high living standards, generous welfare systems, and economic prosperity—routinely fail to meet their own defense spending obligations. Germany, the EU’s largest economy, only recently pledged to increase military spending after years of freeloading off U.S. protection. The question is: Why should American taxpayers foot the bill for Europe’s security while European leaders prioritize climate policies and social programs over their own defense?
Endless NATO Expansion and Needless Provocation
Instead of sticking to its original mission, NATO has expanded eastward, antagonizing Russia and fueling tensions in Eastern Europe. Each new member-state brings more obligations for the U.S., including military commitments to tiny, strategically irrelevant countries that would be impossible to defend in a real conflict. Worse, NATO’s reckless behavior played a direct role in the current Ukraine crisis, with the alliance constantly dangling the prospect of Ukrainian membership in front of Moscow—something Russia repeatedly warned was a red line.
And what has NATO done in response to the Ukraine war? It’s turned the conflict into an endless money pit for American taxpayers, while European leaders feign unity but contribute little in comparison. Without NATO’s unnecessary provocations, Washington could have pursued a diplomatic solution to avoid the bloodshed entirely.
NATO Drags the U.S. Into Unwinnable Wars
NATO’s so-called “collective defense” doesn’t protect the U.S.; it entangles America in conflicts that have nothing to do with national security. Take the disastrous intervention in Libya in 2011, spearheaded by NATO under the Obama administration. The result? A collapsed state, jihadist militias, and a massive migrant crisis that destabilized Europe. The U.S. spent billions and got nothing in return.
Similarly, NATO’s involvement in Afghanistan—another American-led misadventure—ended in a humiliating withdrawal after 20 years of wasted lives and resources. The alliance follows Washington into conflicts but does little to ease the burden. If anything, it weakens U.S. strategic autonomy, forcing America to act as the world’s policeman.
Time to Put America First
Trump campaigned on putting America first, and that means reassessing outdated alliances that no longer serve U.S. interests. NATO locks America into defending countries that refuse to defend themselves, provokes unnecessary conflicts, and siphons resources away from domestic priorities. Leaving NATO wouldn’t mean abandoning strong bilateral relationships with allies—it would simply free the U.S. from an outdated Cold War-era entanglement.
The truth is, Europe is more than capable of handling its own security. With or without NATO, Russia isn’t about to march on Paris or Berlin. Meanwhile, the real challenges America faces—border security, economic competition with China, and domestic stability—have nothing to do with propping up European defense.
It’s time for Trump to follow through on his instincts. NATO isn’t the untouchable sacred institution it pretends to be. The U.S. doesn’t need NATO. NATO needs the U.S. And that’s exactly why it’s time to walk away.
