I am writing to express my deep concern over former President Donald Trump’s recent remarks during his meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky. After a tense exchange in which he accused Zelensky of being “disrespectful,” Trump dismissed reporters with the comment:
“I think we’ve seen enough. This is going to be great television, I will say that.”
At a time when global security is at stake, reducing a critical diplomatic discussion to a media spectacle is reckless and dangerous. Disrespecting our allies—especially those on the frontlines against authoritarian aggression—risks more than just strained relationships; it directly threatens U.S. national security and military readiness.
Losing the trust of our allies overseas has serious consequences for our troops and military operations. We rely on these partnerships for intelligence sharing, strategic coordination, and essential logistical support. A prime example of this fallout is Norway’s recent decision to refuse fueling U.S. Navy ships due to political tensions. If our alliances continue to weaken, we could see further restrictions on access to critical ports, airbases, and supply chains that our military depends on for global operations.
Furthermore, U.S. military bases stationed abroad depend on host nations for security cooperation, infrastructure support, and regional stability. Alienating these allies could lead to reductions in force posture, increased operational costs, and vulnerabilities that adversaries like Russia and China would be eager to exploit.
A president who prioritizes personal grievances and media spectacle over strategic diplomacy puts American service members at greater risk. Strong alliances are not just about diplomacy—they are essential to our military’s ability to operate, respond to crises, and deter threats worldwide.
I urge you and other responsible leaders to reaffirm our commitment to our allies, ensuring that U.S. foreign policy remains rooted in strategic leadership rather than divisive rhetoric. Our troops, our military bases, and our national security depends on it.