Here & Now Anytime What happens if the U.S. pulls out of NATO?
Apr 1, 2026
Julianne Smith, former U.S. NATO envoy and geostrategic adviser, warns about transatlantic security risks if the U.S. pulls back. Muzaffar Chishti, migration policy expert, reflects on the Supreme Court oral arguments and presidential presence. Kim Wehle, former assistant U.S. attorney and law professor, analyzes 14th Amendment debates. Rick Hasen, election law scholar, breaks down the controversial mail-in ballot order.
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U.S. Rhetoric Is Driving NATO Allies To Hedge
- U.S. threats to leave NATO are eroding European trust and pushing allies to hedge toward alternatives.
- Julianne Smith warns repeated threats and unpredictable diplomacy have allies planning for a world without an engaged U.S. transatlantic partner.
NATO Exit Could Invite Russian Aggression
- A U.S. pullout from NATO would create security vacuums that Russia could exploit with gray zone tactics or direct intervention.
- Smith says that absence of U.S. support could trigger broader conflict in Europe with global consequences.
Legal Barrier Exists But Presidential Power Could Be Tested
- Congress passed a law to block unilateral presidential withdrawal from NATO, but enforcement is uncertain.
- Smith notes President Trump has shown willingness to assert executive authority to try to bypass congressional limits.