Pence-founded group makes case for NATO amid some GOP skepticism

An advocacy group founded by former Vice President Mike Pence issued a memo Tuesday making the case for continued U.S. support for NATO as the organization faces skepticism from former President Trump and his allies.

In a memo titled “Stronger NATO, Stronger America” first shared with The Hill, Advancing American Freedom pushed back on a series of common arguments from skeptics of the alliance.

“While not perfect, NATO has been an irreplaceable part of American foreign policy since 1949,” the memo said. “Abandoning NATO would embolden our enemies and betray our allies. Despite some of its present shortcomings, a strong NATO remains critical to America’s global leadership and interests abroad.”

The memo pushed back on the claim the U.S. can’t maintain its commitments to NATO and counter China simultaneously, arguing a more stable Europe protected by NATO allows the U.S. to devote more attention to China rather than split its focus.

The memo also dismissed the idea NATO expansion led to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, arguing an expanded NATO “effectively ends Putin’s dream of a ‘Greater Russia.’” Instead, the memo blamed Russia’s invasion on the Biden administration’s “failure to project power and establish effective deterrence.”

The Pence-aligned group argued that moving forward, the U.S. should “find constructive ways to encourage NATO partners to uphold their commitments, such as prioritizing compliant NATO allies for future free trade agreements.”

Trump and some other Republicans have attacked NATO, questioning its use to the United States. Trump drew backlash earlier this year when he suggested he would let Russia do what it wanted to a member nation that was not meeting its commitment to contribute 2 percent of its gross domestic product toward military spending.

The memo from Advancing American Freedom reflects the latest effort by the former vice president to encourage Republicans to hew more closely to traditional conservative principles.

The group has pledged to invest $20 million this year to back candidates who embrace more traditional conservative principles, such as a strong military and limited government. It will also champion conservative legislation, such as the Trump-era tax cuts.

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