Politico: Trump may bypass Biden's ban on US withdrawal from NATO
US President-elect Donald Trump may circumvent the ban imposed by incumbent President Joseph Biden on the country's withdrawal from the North Atlantic Alliance.
The American publication Politico reports this.
How Trump Can Circumvent NATO Withdrawal Law
Last year, the United States passed a law requiring the head of state's decision to withdraw from NATO to be sanctioned by an act of Congress or approved by two-thirds of senators.
However, Politico reports, citing legal experts, that Trump may be able to circumvent Congress by taking advantage of a legal loophole: the presidential foreign policy powers clause.
According to Brookings Institution expert Scott Anderson, such actions by Trump would lead to a direct constitutional conflict with Congress.
University of Chicago professor Curtis Bradley notes that it remains unclear whether Congress will have legal grounds to sue Trump.
Politico recalls that Trump already took advantage of a similar legal loophole during his first term, when he withdrew the country from the Open Skies Treaty in May 2020.
Then-Assistant Attorney General Steven Engel issued an expert opinion that the president had the authority to decide to withdraw from the treaties.
However, Politico notes, even if Trump decides to pull the US out of NATO, it is unlikely to happen quickly.
According to the procedure, the country must first submit a notification. Only after one year from the date of the notification will the membership be considered officially terminated.
