Over Trump’s claim that he fought in Afghanistan, British lawmakers are all angry.
During the conflict, President Trump stated, NATO soldiers remained “a little off the front lines.” The response was swift in Britain, which lost 457 soldiers in the war. On Friday, politicians from across Britain’s political spectrum came together to denounce President Trump’s claims that NATO troops had remained “a little off the front lines” during the Afghanistan war.
Mr. Trump during an interview with Fox Business in Davos, Switzerland, Trump made the remarks. Trump wondered if other North Atlantic Treaty Organization members would assist the United States in an emergency. Mr. said, “We’ve never needed them.” Trump said. We haven’t really asked them anything. They’ll say that they sent some troops to Afghanistan or something else. And they did. They stayed a little back, little off the front lines.”
Article 5 of NATO’s collective security agreement states that an attack on one NATO member is an attack on all. It has been invoked only once in the history of the alliance — after the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks on the United States.
During the subsequent two decades of fighting in Afghanistan, Britain, which lost 457 soldiers, responded to Mr. The claims made by Trump were swift and universally criticized. On social media, Britain’s defense secretary, John Healey, wrote, “The U.K. and NATO allies answered the U.S. call.” Additionally, over 450 British personnel perished in Afghanistan. Those British troops should be remembered for who they were: heroes who gave their lives in service of our nation.”
Kemi Badenoch, the leader of the main opposition Conservative Party, also wrote about Mr. Trump’s assertions are “outright nonsense.” She went on to say, “For 20 years, British, Canadian, and NATO troops fought alongside the United States and died.” This is not an opinion but a fact. Their sacrifice deserves respect not denigration.”
In a post, Ed Davey, the leader of the centrist Liberal Democrat party and a vocal opponent of the president, said that Mr. Trump said, “How dare he question their sacrifice?” referring to the five draft deferments he had received during the Vietnam War.
