Graham to Trump: Consider removing ‘US bases from countries who won’t let us fly from them’

[240B]

Graham to Trump: Consider removing ‘US bases from countries who won’t let us fly from them’

The Hill
by Sophie Brams
03/21/26

Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.) on Friday urged President Trump to consider removing U.S. military bases from countries “who won’t let us fly from them,” again lashing out at European allies over their refusal to assist the U.S.-Israeli military operation in Iran.

Graham reupped the suggestion after Trump told reporters earlier on Friday that the senator was “right about asking that.”

“Mr. President, one of the things I like about you most is that, now, our allies take America for granted at their own peril,” the South Carolina Republican wrote in a post on social platform X.

“As to my suggestion, I meant it then and I’ll repeat it now: We should consider removing U.S. bases from countries who won’t let us fly from them as we confront the world’s largest state sponsor of terrorism who has been hellbent on developing a nuclear weapon and was extremely close to achieving that goal,” the senator added.

Trump and Graham have slammed NATO allies in recent days for their reluctance to support U.S. military operations to reopen the Strait of Hormuz, a vital chokepoint that has been effectively closed to shipping traffic since the start of the conflict on Feb. 28.

The continued Iranian blockade and escalating attacks on vessels and oil and gas facilities have rattled the global economy, sending fuel prices sharply higher. 

The president said last Sunday that he requested seven countries to send warships to help secure the strait, but so far none have agreed to lend military assets.

(more)
https://thehill.com/homenews/senate/5794447-graham-trump-iran-us-bases-middle-east/

[MeganC]

Dammit. Now Lindsay has me respecting him a bit more.

[Free Vulcan]

He makes a point.

[libertybele]

Dammit. Now Lindsay has me respecting him a bit more.

Graham may be a little light in the loafers and I don't see as an overwhelming conservative, but he is a patriot and pretty hawkish.

However, wouldn't removing U.S. bases from those countries put us at a disadvantage in the area??

[IsailedawayfromFR]

We have no bases in countries who we are enemies with.

There are only three types of countries:

Those who support us
Those who do not support us(commonly called enemies)
Those who are neutral in supporting us(commonly called neutral)

Q: Do we have any bases in the last category?

[MeganC]

Graham may be a little light in the loafers and I don't see as an overwhelming conservative, but he is a patriot and pretty hawkish.

However, wouldn't removing U.S. bases from those countries put us at a disadvantage in the area??

Bases we cannot use are useless to us. At this rate , the only reason these particular Europeans want American bases in their countries is so they can get access to the payroll money. And they want us to defend them when it suits them.

[MeganC]

We have no bases in countries who we are enemies with.

Cuba.

[jafo2010]

At the top of my list is Germany.  I would close all the bases in Germany but one.  I would focus on countries further east, closer to Russia, i.e. Poland.  Poland has grave concerns about Russia and I would put our forces there, closer to the would be front to serve as a deterrent.

Germany is a feckless, dead beat country if there ever was.  I would be damned if I would risk American lives defending the damn Germans.  Same with the French and Spanish.  Worthless so called allies.

[IsailedawayfromFR]

Cuba.

True.  You brought up a 4th category.

When the base was opened, the US was friends with Cuba as we freed it from Spanish control and deeded the perpetual lease we enjoy there.

Cuba has zero jurisdiction over that base, unlike other countries in which we have military bases.

[MeganC]

At the top of my list is Germany.  I would close all the bases in Germany but one. 

In for a penny , in for a pound. Close them all. Build new bases in Poland. That helps support a friendly nation , and it sends a message to the Soviets.

[Timber Rattler]

Not a bad idea at all.  What's the point of having those bases if the U.S. can't use them.

[240B]

Cuba.
Iraq.
Syria.
and many more ...