Republican lawmakers concerned about national security are alarmed by what they see as a growing divide between themselves and former President Trump over key issues, including the war in Ukraine, preserving the NATO alliance and protecting Taiwan from Chinese aggression.
Trump’s actions over the past three weeks have sparked confusion and concern among Republican senators who voted earlier this year to approve tens of billions of dollars to counter Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and to dissuade China from attacking Taiwan, a important US ally and trading partner.
Defense-minded Republican senators called Trump’s invitation to Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán to visit him at Mar-a-Lago after the NATO summit in Washington a worrying development, given Orbán’s close ties. with Russian President Vladimir Putin and his efforts to undermine NATO support. for the defense of Ukraine.
Republican senators who support U.S. involvement in the war in Ukraine were dismayed when Trump chose Sen. J.D. Vance (R-Ohio), who led opposition to the Ukrainian assistance package, as his running mate.
And Senate Republicans are feeling uncomfortable with Trump’s assertion that Taiwan should pay more for its defense and refusal to commit to defending the island.
A Republican senator, who requested anonymity, said “it’s a big question” whether Trump will support the war in Ukraine or come to Taiwan’s defense if it is attacked by China.
“I don’t think he wants to get into conflict or pay for conflicts around the world,” the senator noted.
“There’s no question where J.D. Vance stands,” the lawmaker said of Trump’s choice of the Ohio senator as his running mate.
And the senator called Trump’s meeting with Orbán at Mar-a-Lago “worrying.”
“I can’t tell you why he’s doing this,” the lawmaker noted.
‘Turned the corner‘
Senate Republican leader Mitch McConnell (Ky.) argued earlier this year that the GOP “turned the corner on the isolationist movement” within its ranks when a majority of Republican senators voted in favor of a US foreign aid package. US$95 billion, which included US$61 billion to Ukraine. .
But that is now in doubt after Trump picked Vance to join him on the Republican ticket.
Opponents of continued funding for the war in Ukraine applauded the pick and praised it as a sign that Trump would change course if elected in November.
“JD is probably one of the most outspoken people about continuing to fan the flames of this bloody standoff. I happen to agree with him. I think President Trump does as well,” said Sen. Ron Johnson (R-Wis.), who opposes sending more funding to Ukraine.
Johnson said Vance’s selection as Trump’s running mate “kind of confirms the position, hopefully, of the next administration.”
“The president said he would end it within 24 hours,” Johnson said, referring to Trump’s comments about the war.
Vance told The Hill in April that the $61 billion approved for Ukraine would be the last major assistance package of its kind to pass Congress.
“If Ukraine thinks it’s going to get an additional $60 billion from the United States Congress, there’s no way,” Vance said.
McConnell told reporters he will support the Republican ticket with Vance, but insisted he will continue to defend the importance of stopping the Russian invasion.
“I support the ticket. I also support Ukraine and will advocate, regardless of who is elected president, to deter Russian aggression, McConnell said. “It’s not just Ukraine, we have organized authoritarian regimes all over the world that talk to each other – China, North Korea, Russia, Iran and representatives of Iran.
“This is a serious challenge,” he warned. “This is the biggest problem facing the democratic world, regardless of who wins the election. And that’s what I’m going to work on over the next two years.”
McConnell did not explicitly criticize Trump for meeting with Orbán in Florida, but he made clear that he views the Hungarian strongman as the “weakest” member of NATO and someone who has undermined US security interests in Europe.
“He is the only NATO member who has essentially handed over his country to the Chinese and Russians. [He’s] has been looking for ways to undermine NATO’s efforts to defeat the Russians in Ukraine. Therefore, I believe that Viktor Orbán has made Hungary NATO’s latest problem,” McConnell said.
McConnell also spoke about the need to support Taiwan and other Far Eastern allies when asked about Trump’s reluctance to commit to defending the island nation, which is a major source of semiconductors for U.S. industry.
“We still don’t know who the new government will be. But it is quite clear that our allies in Asia, and now we can add the Philippines to the mix, are all concerned about Chinese aggression. They are closely watching what happens with Russia in Ukraine,” he said.
“This is the clearest example that the democratic world needs to stand up to these authoritarians,” he said. “Reagan was right. There is one thing that works. Peace you achieve through strength.”
Carlson’s guilt
Other Republican senators are balking at Trump’s choice of Vance as his running mate and cozying up to Orbán.
A second Republican senator who requested anonymity expressed hope that former Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, who served under Trump, would serve as defense secretary in a new Trump administration and convince him to stay the course on supporting Ukraine.
The lawmaker blamed the influence of conservative media personality Tucker Carlson in pushing Trump toward Vance and Orbán.
“Not the way I would,” the senator said.
A third Republican senator said McConnell and other GOP colleagues are not satisfied with how Trump’s recent moves show how he might conduct foreign policy outside the White House if he is elected in November.
“I think Trump comes in and tries to negotiate a deal [to end the war in Ukraine] where they cede certain territory to Putin knowing that Putin cannot leave as a loser. Putin’s only graceful way out is for Zelensky and company to cede some territory, the Russian-speaking parks of Ukraine,” the senator said, predicting that Trump will lean on Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky.
“My guess is this doesn’t sit well with McConnell at all. But Trump and McConnell have had a pretty rocky relationship,” the source said.
Sen. Thom Tillis (R-N.C.), an outspoken supporter of support for the war in Ukraine and an ally of McConnell, told reporters Wednesday that he thinks Trump is open to continued U.S. support for Ukraine.
“If you look at the fact that we approved a supplemental package of over $60 billion [for Ukraine], the House passed it, I have to believe there was some tacit support from Trump… or he could have blocked it,” Tillis said. “It’s up to us to convince President Trump why it’s in our national interest to support Ukraine.”
But other Republican senators are skeptical that Trump would support sending tens of billions of dollars in additional military aid to Ukraine if he returns to the White House.
“Your instinct is always non-intervention, caution. I don’t know if there is a well-formed philosophy about this. It’s just his instinct. He kind of does it on instinct, and his instinct is to not intervene,” said a fifth Republican senator who requested anonymity.
This story originally appeared on thehill.com read the full story
