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Trump’s NATO warning pushes Europe to face the cost of defending itself
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Speaking to global leaders in Davos, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy delivered a blunt warning to Europe. «Europe needs to know how to defend itself,» he said, arguing that the continent still isn’t ready to stand on its own without U.S. backing.
Zelensky’s remarks reflected a growing anxiety across Europe — that decades of reliance on American protection left the continent ill-prepared for a more dangerous era. While European countries have contributed troops, weapons and money to conflicts from Afghanistan to Ukraine, the ultimate backstop for NATO’s security has remained Washington.
President Donald Trump has openly challenged that assumption, repeatedly warning NATO allies that U.S. protection should not be taken for granted, and insisting the U.S. needed to take Greenland from Denmark
Before he ruled out the use of force to wrest control of the island, European officials had worried about a military dust-up between Western powers would mean the end of NATO.
«Maybe we should have put NATO to the test: Invoked Article 5, and forced NATO to come here and protect our Southern Border from further Invasions of Illegal Immigrants, thus freeing up large numbers of Border Patrol Agents for other tasks,» Trump mused on Truth Social Thursday.
«Europe needs to know how to defend itself,» Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy told European allies. (Danylo Antoniuk/AP)
Trump’s suggestion that the U.S. may not defend allies that fail to invest in their own security rattled the alliance and pushed European governments to pledge sharp increases in defense spending.
Even so, European leaders continue to acknowledge how central U.S. power remains to NATO’s defense. NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte has pointed to the American nuclear umbrella as the alliance’s «ultimate guarantor,» alongside a strong U.S. conventional presence in Europe.
«We are still having a strong, conventional U.S. presence in Europe,» Rutte said, «and, of course, the nuclear umbrella as our ultimate guarantor.»
TRUMP: EUROPE WILL ‘TAKE A LOT OF THE BURDEN’ IN PROVIDING SECURITY GUARANTEES FOR UKRAINE
Security analysts say that long-standing guarantee shaped Europe’s choices over time.
«For much of the post–Cold War period, it is fair to say that Europeans underinvested in defense, partly because threats were low, and partly because a series of U.S. presidents did everything they could to convince Europeans that we would stay there forever,» Barry Posen, a professor of political science at MIT, told Fox News Digital.
«Trump was right to argue that Europeans have been slow to fix up their forces as the situation changed — as Russia pulled itself back together and became more demanding and threatening, and as China also grew its power,» Posen said.
But Posen warned that driving a wedge inside NATO carries risks. «The problem Trump faces is that ‘conditional commitments’ make challenges more likely,» he said. «And then we would still have to decide what to do. As a great power, in the event of an actual challenge, we might not wish to look weak.»
Over time, those choices carried political consequences. With American power serving as the backstop, defense spending was easier to restrain than politically popular domestic subsidies such as healthcare, pensions and education, which became entrenched in European politics.
As defense demands rise, governments are running into those constraints. In Italy, officials have warned that boosting military spending to meet NATO commitments would strain an already tight budget, where pensions and social benefits account for a large share of public spending.
«We are still having a strong, conventional U.S. presence in Europe,» NATO chief Mark Rutte said, «and, of course, the nuclear umbrella as our ultimate guarantor.» (Denis Balibouse/Reuters)
ZELENSKYY BLASTS GLOBAL INACTION ON IRAN, CLAIMS EUROPE STUCK IN ‘GREENLAND MODE’
Germany found a way to buy time. After Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, Berlin created a €100 billion special defense fund — financed through new borrowing and kept outside the regular budget — to rebuild its military without immediately cutting other spending. The move jump-started rearmament while shielding popular social programs from near-term cuts. But the fund is temporary. Once it runs out, sustaining higher defense spending will require permanent budget decisions inside a system built around strict fiscal rules and expansive social commitments.
John Byrne of Concerned Veterans for America said Europe’s dependence on the United States runs deeper than defense budgets. Even as European governments pledge more spending, Byrne said they still lack the senior-level experience needed to run NATO operations without U.S. leadership.
John Byrne said they still lack the senior-level experience needed to run NATO operations without U.S. leadership. (REUTERS/Claudia Greco)
«They don’t have the experience,» Byrne said, pointing to the fact that large, multinational military commands have overwhelmingly been led by American generals for decades. «That institutional knowledge still sits almost entirely with the United States.»
Byrne said that gap matters in a crisis. Running complex, coalition military operations requires years of practice at the highest levels, he said — something that cannot be fixed quickly, even with higher spending.
«You can buy equipment,» Byrne said. «You can’t instantly buy command experience.»
During his address at Davos on Thursday, Zelenskyy questioned whether Europe has the power or the will to act independently if assumptions about U.S. protection change.
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«Europe still feels more like geography, history, tradition, not a real political force, not a great power,» Zelenskyy said.
He warned that European leaders continue to plan around expectations that may no longer hold. «To believe that the United States will act, that it will not stand aside and will help,» Zelenskyy said. «But what if it doesn’t? This question is everywhere in the minds of European leaders.»
nato,volodymyr zelenskyy,donald trump,conflicts defense
INTERNACIONAL
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Rompió el silencio el joven que atropelló y mató a su profesor en medio de una broma: “Profundo dolor”
El joven que atropelló a su profesor en medio de una broma que salió mal en Georgia, Estados Unidos, rompió el silencio y lamentó el hecho. En un comunicado emitido por su familia, aseguró estar atravesando un “profundo dolor” por la muerte del docente.
Jayden Wallace, de 18 años, se acercó a la casa de su maestro, Jason Hughes, de 40 años, junto a cuatro compañeros para tirarle rollos de papel higiénico, una tradición común en el país. Sin embargo, cuando el profesor salió corriendo para atraparlos, fue embestido por la camioneta del estudiante.
Leé también: Estados Unidos: un profesor de secundaria murió atropellado en medio de una broma de sus estudiantes
La familia del adolescente emitió un comunicado sobre lo ocurrido: “Somos una familia con profundo remordimiento y afligida por una pérdida tan tremenda en nuestra comunidad de North Hall. Jason Hughes significaba el mundo para nuestro hijo, Jayden”, expresaron en el escrito recuperado por 11Alive el martes.
“Se tomó el tiempo para invertir en Jay y derramó su amor en él, haciendo un impacto duradero. Junto con el resto de nuestra familia, Jay expresa su más profundo dolor y su más sincera disculpa a la familia Hughes”, agregaron.
Jason Hughes murió atropelldo por un alumno. (Foto: gentileza People).
Por su parte, el adolescente también expresó su dolor por el lamentable suceso: “Me comprometo a vivir el resto de mi vida de una manera que honre la memoria del entrenador Hughes ejemplificando a Cristo. Nunca será olvidado”.
Una broma que terminó de la peor manera
El trágico hecho ocurrió el viernes por la noche, cerca de las 23.40, en la localidad de Gainesville. Según informó la policía del condado de Hall, cinco adolescentes llegaron en dos autos a la casa de Hughes y comenzaron a lanzar rollos de papel sobre los árboles del jardín.
El profesor, que era padre de dos chicos, esperaba con ilusión este tipo de bromas, según contó su esposa. Esa noche, el hombre salió de la casa para sorprender a los chicos.
Leé también:Horror en Estados Unidos: un nene de 8 años se atragantó con un pedazo de ananá, la maestra lo mandó al baño y murió
En ese momento, los estudiantes se subieron rápidamente a sus vehículos para escapar. Estaba lloviendo; Hughes tropezó y cayó sobre la calle justo cuando una camioneta pickup arrancaba para huir. El conductor, Jayden Ryan Wallace, lo atropelló accidentalmente.
Los alumnos tiraron papel higiénico a la casa de Hughes. (Foto: gentilez Mirror)
Los otros estudiantes, identificados como Elijah Tate Owens, de 18 años, Aiden Hucks, de 18 años, Ana Katherine Luque, de 18 años, y Ariana Cruz, de 18 años, fueron arrestados en la escena. Bajaron enseguida del auto junto a Wallace para asistir a Hughes, pero el profesor fue declarado muerto mientras era trasladado al hospital local.
El conductor fue acusado de homicidio vehicular en primer grado, un delito grave en Georgia que puede significar entre tres y quince años de prisión, además de cargos por conducción imprudente.
Los otros cuatro estudiantes fueron detenidos y acusados de allanamiento ilegal y tirar basura en propiedad privada, aunque recuperaron la libertad bajo fianza.
La esposa de Hughes, que también es profesora en el mismo instituto, pidió públicamente que se retiren los cargos contra el joven conductor.
“Esta es una tragedia terrible, y nuestra familia está decidida a evitar que ocurra otra tragedia que arruine la vida de estos estudiantes”, expresó en declaraciones al New York Times.
La familia de Hughes difundió un comunicado en el que remarcaron que el profesor “conocía y apreciaba a los cinco estudiantes implicados y que procesarlos iría en contra de su vocación de ayudar a los jóvenes”.
Wallace y Hughes eran muy cercanos, declaró Matt Williams, amigo de Hughes, a abc News. “La familia quiere dejar claro que conocían a estos niños y los querían, y que estos niños querían a los Hughes. Esto no fue un acto malicioso”.
La decisión final sobre el futuro judicial de los estudiantes quedará en manos del fiscal del distrito, Lee Darragh.
Estados Unidos, atropello, Muerte, profesor
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Minnesota Department of Human Services (MNDHS) officials skipped a key hearing this week held by a state House fraud prevention panel, earning the ire of its chairwoman as Gov. Tim Walz separately promised reform.
MNDHS was expected to face tough questions at the hearing, which featured a former judge and Catholic diocesan official appointed by Walz to investigate «program integrity» in the state.
«I’m incredibly frustrated that they ghosted us,» House Fraud Prevention Committee Chair Kristin Robbins said, as she has since sent a letter to the department demanding answers.
Robbins, a suburban Minneapolis Republican who is also running for governor, previously said state leaders «knew this was going on and they allowed it to continue.»
YOUTUBER TO TESTIFY BEFORE CONGRESS ON MINNESOTA’S MASSIVE $9B FRAUD NETWORK INVESTIGATION
Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz and Attorney General Keith Ellison testify before Congress. (Graeme Sloan/Getty Images)
At the top of Monday’s hearing, Robbins verbally recognized the absence of MNDHS, as she introduced the session as one «discussing the roadmap to program integrity and fraud prevention, followed by an informational hearing and discussion of periodic data matching.»
«Before we begin, is there anyone in the Department of Human Services in the audience? I don’t see anyone,» she said. «So I just want to note for the record that [MN]DHS was invited to be available in the audience to answer questions today after Judge O’Malley’s presentation. And they have apparently declined to come, which is very frustrating.»
MINNESOTA ‘ON THE CLOCK’ AS HHS THREATENS PENALTIES OVER CHILDCARE FRAUD SCANDAL
Robbins said it was the second such hearing that MNDHS ignored, and that she would be contacting MNDHS Commissioner Shireen Gandhi.
«She may not always be able to attend, but there are a lot of employees at that agency [including] someone who especially can speak to periodic data matching should have been here for that portion of the hearing.»
Instead, Robbins moved on to testimony from Tim O’Malley, a retired judge and St. Paul archdiocesan official, who was recently appointed by Walz as state director of Program Integrity.
«Minnesota has experienced extensive, well-documented fraud in programs designed to serve the state’s most vulnerable residents. The state’s ineffectiveness in combating that fraud has wasted taxpayer dollars, enriched criminals, eroded public confidence, and impeded the delivery of essential services to Minnesotans in need,» O’Malley said.
Minnesota State Rep. Kristin Robbins, left, testifies before Congress. (Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images)
In a video interview with Fox News Digital, Robbins expounded on her earlier reported comments, saying it was «very disappointing» to see MNDHS no-show.
TAFOYA RIPS WALZ ‘DODGING’ ACCOUNTABILITY IN HEARING, UNVEILS PLAN TO FIGHT FRAUD: ‘FULL WEIGHT OF THE LAW’
«What was more shocking is, as we gaveled out, the next hearing was coming in, a Ways and Means Committee hearing, and all the [MN]DHS people walked in the door for the next hearing because they wanted to ask for money from the state … but they couldn’t bother to show up to react to the governor’s own program integrity report. It was unbelievable,» she said.
When reached for comment, an MNDHS spokesperson said «the department had a prior commitment Monday morning.»
«Monday marked the 19th hearing of the Minnesota House Fraud Prevention and State Agency Oversight Policy Committee since it began in February 2025. The Minnesota Department of Human Services has testified before the committee eight times. This was the second time the department was unavailable to attend at the chair’s request,» the spokesperson said, adding that the agency supports O’Malley’s work.
Asked about MNDHS’ response to the no-show, Robbins said «it’s not true» and said that when she left the hearing at its end, she ran into MNDHS staff coming in to testify at an ensuing hearing.
«[Ours] wasn’t just any run-of-the-mill hearing. It was the public hearing on the governor’s program integrity report with the guy the governor appointed: Judge O’Malley. So, absolutely, they should have been there to ask questions.»
Walz said during a press availability broadcast Tuesday that he and O’Malley are working to root out decades of institutional issues that he likened to a «Frankenstein» monster that saw additional «bolts» being soldered on it and complicating its structure instead of it being fixed.
MINNESOTA AG BLASTS HOUSE HEARING ON FRAUD SCANDAL IN HIS STATE : ‘A LOT OF BULLS— FROM REPUBLICANS’
«When I came here, the discussion was, if you recall clear back in 2019, that reforms around [MN]DHS as a large organization that does multiple things that we needed to think about modernizing… I talked to my fellow governors and we talked to commissioners in other states, Minnesota system of delivery around social services is a bit of an outlier in how it’s done,» Walz said.
The «topline» he said, will be to «moderniz[e] a proposal on how Medicaid is administered … Strengthening oversight of enrollment in these programs by centralizing eligibility decisions, and funding a comprehensive study to examine the role of state, counties, and tribal nations in the delivery of these to provide more transparency and effectiveness.»
Walz underlined he was not blaming counties for issues in attempting to restructure the system to a more state-centralized one.
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The governor did not respond directly to Fox News Digital’s request for comment.
Fox News’ Mike Tobin and Elise Oggioni con
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