U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio boards Air Force One at Joint Base Andrews, Maryland, on May 12, 2026, as he departs for a 3-day state visit to China. (Photo by Brendan SMIALOWSKI / AFP via Getty Images)
OAN Staff Addie Davis 10:37 AM – Thursday, May 14, 2026
Secretary of State Marco Rubio questioned the point of the United States remaining in the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) during an interview on Air Force One, citing denied basing rights.
Admitting he had been a supporter of the alliance previously, Rubio called into question the benefit it provides to the U.S. if basing rights are no longer allowed while speaking to Fox News‘ Sean Hannity on Wednesday.
“One of the reasons why I supported NATO was because it gave us basing rights. It allowed us to have bases in Europe that we could use in a contingency, like something in the Middle East,” Rubio explained.
“When you have NATO partners denying you the use of those bases — when the primary reason why NATO is good for America is now being denied to us by Spain, as an example — then what’s the purpose of the alliance?” he asked.
SECRETARY RUBIO: One of the reasons I supported NATO is because it gave us basing rights in Europe.
So when NATO partners like Spain deny us use of these bases, the primary reason for why NATO is good for America, then what is the purpose of the alliance? pic.twitter.com/ufJxRHkbeY
President Donald Trump and other administration officials have been critical of the agreement, viewing it as a “one-way street” primarily benefiting allied countries while the U.S. covers extensive costs. His rhetoric ramped up in recent months over his outspoken disappointment with allied countries’ responses to the conflict in Iran.
Although Trump has voiced a desire to leave NATO, the move would face significant hurdles, as U.S. law requires congressional approval for withdrawal from the alliance
On Wednesday, Rubio recognized the help of some NATO countries, including Portugal, Poland, Romania and Bulgaria, but described the lack of support from other nations, such as Spain, as “atrocious, just horrifying.”
“I do think there are some very legitimate questions to ask about NATO, and that is: What is the purpose of being in an alliance whose benefit to us is these basing rights if, in a time of conflict like the one we’ve had with Iran, they can deny us the use of those bases?” the secretary of state remarked.
“Why are we there for? Only to protect them but not to further our national interest? This is a very legitimate question that we need to address,” he continued.
SECRETARY RUBIO: Are we in NATO only to protect them and not to further our national interest? This is a very legitimate question that we need to address. pic.twitter.com/2IaRe1Dyy8
Illustrating the rift with NATO and tension with allied nations, the Pentagon recently announced that 5,000 troops would be withdrawn from Germany in the coming months, and Trump hinted this was only the beginning.
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