President Joe Biden publicly shredded former President Donald Trump's comment that he would encourage Russia to "do whatever the hell they want" to U.S. allies who hadn't paid enough on defense.
"For God's sake, it's dumb," Biden said. "It's shameful, it's dangerous."
In his address from the White House Tuesday, Biden accused Trump of having "bowed down to a Russian dictator," President Vladimir Putin with his recent comments deriding the North Atlantic Treaty Organization, or NATO.
At a rally in South Carolina Saturday, Trump told attendees he would not protect NATO allies from Russia who "didn't pay."
Biden was quick to point out Tuesday that the military alliance of 31 nations, created to provide security against the then-Soviet Union, has been called upon just once to act on the mandate to assist should a member face armed attack.
"It was done to stand with America after we were attacked on 9/11," Biden said. "[Trump] doesn't see the alliance that protects America and the world — he sees a protection racket."
Biden, outraged that Trump should so address the Russian president, issued a warning to Putin and U.S. foreign adversaries he said likely "cheered" when they heard Trump's comment.
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"As long as I'm president, if Putin attacks a NATO ally, the United States will defend every inch of NATO territory," Biden said.
Biden then addressed House Republicans about to receive a long-awaited $95 billion Senate bill that includes aid to Ukraine, the nation that has been fighting off a Russian invasion since February 2022.
"You've got to decide, are you going to stand up for freedom or are you going to side with terror and tyranny?" Biden asked. "Are you going to stand with Ukraine, you're going to stand with Putin? Will you stand with America or with Trump?"
