(Washington) Donald Trump welcomed the failure of the bill on aid to Ukraine and immigration on Saturday. If re-elected, he threatened to no longer guarantee NATO protection against Russia and promised a massive wave of expulsions at the border.
The former American president regularly criticizes his allies in the North Atlantic Treaty Organization for not sufficiently funding the institution. At a rally in South Carolina, Mr. Trump reported a conversation with one of the NATO heads of state, without naming him.
“One of the presidents of a big country stood up and said: well, sir, if we don’t pay and we’re attacked by Russia, will you protect us? “, says the billionaire before revealing his answer: “No, I would not protect you. In fact I would encourage them to do whatever they want to you. You must pay your debts.”
PHOTO JULIA NIKHINSON, AGENCE FRANCE-PRESSE
Donald Trump in front of his supporters in Conway, South Carolina
This statement comes after Mr. Trump, likely candidate against Democratic President Joe Biden in the November presidential election, put pressure on Republican elected officials in Congress to bury a bill providing for the payment of new aid to Ukraine as well as a reform of migration policy.
The White House responded to Mr. Trump’s statements by touting Mr. Biden’s efforts to strengthen alliances around the world.
“Appalling and insane”
“Encouraging the invasion of our closest allies by murderous regimes is appalling and senseless,” responded Andrew Bates, White House spokesperson, in a statement published Saturday evening.
“Rather than calling for war and promoting chaos, President Biden will continue to support American leadership,” Bates added.
The agreement blocked in Congress provided for additional aid to Ukraine and Israel.
Totaling $95 billion, it will be debated next week and includes funds for Israel’s fight against Hamas and for a key strategic ally, Taiwan.
The lion’s share, however, would help Ukraine replenish its stocks of munitions, weapons and other essential needs, as the country enters a third year of war.
Donald Trump has often been doubtful, sometimes hostile, about continued American aid to Ukraine and even threatened to leave NATO if he returned to the White House.
“The largest expulsion operation in history”
Mr. Trump also once again took up the burning issue of immigration, another major controversial subject in the electoral campaign. Under his pressure, Republican elected officials seem to have decided to block any reform of migration policy before the presidential election.
“Let’s not forget that this week we also won a big victory that all conservatives should celebrate. We crushed the disastrous project of this crook Joe Biden on open borders,” launched the billionaire. “The whole group did a great job at Congress. We crushed it. »
The former president, who built his popularity by promising to build a wall between the United States and Mexico, assured that the expulsion of migrants would be one of his priorities if he returned home. White.
“On day one, I will end all of the Biden administration’s open border policies and we will launch the largest domestic deportation operation in U.S. history. We have no choice,” he said.