A departure from NATO by the US would significantly affect six states with a substantial military presence, defense sector involvement, and ties to European security: Virginia, California, Texas, Florida, Washington, and Georgia. These regions host military commands connected to NATO, such as Allied Command Transformation in Virginia, leading defense firms, and the highest numbers of active-duty troops stationed in Europe. Legal experts highlight that to officially leave NATO, Trump would require a two-thirds supermajority in the Senate — a challenging feat — but a practical exit through budget reductions and troop withdrawals doesn't necessitate a congressional vote, and the Pentagon's scaling back of involvement in NATO advisory groups is already in progress.
