King Charles Calls for Greater Commitment to NATO, European Alliances and Protections for the Environment at Congressional Address

King Charles III, in an historic address to Congress, called on the American government to recommit itself to the NATO alliance and its relationship with the European continent even as President Trump is putting additional strains on those partnerships. He also drew sustained applause from Democrats when he expressed the necessity of “checks and balances” in any free society. The king’s speech to a joint session of Congress marks the first time in 35 years that a British monarch has spoken to lawmakers in the House chamber. The last to do so was the king’s mother, Queen Elizabeth II. After arriving on Capitol Hill Tuesday, King Charles was greeted by members of congressional leadership who had a brief sit-down with him. Following a meeting with Speaker Mike Johnson, he and his wife, Queen Camilla, were ushered into the chamber for his speech. “In the immediate aftermath of 9/11, when NATO invoked Article V for the first time … we answered the call together, as our people have done so for more than a century,” his majesty said. “Today, Mr. Speaker, that same unyielding resolve is needed for the defense of Ukraine and her most courageous people.”He made a point to say that it was not enough for a nation like the United States to issue strong statements or proclaim ideals. The king said great leaders like President Lincoln understood that action was the most important thing. “America’s words carry weight and meaning, as they have since independence. The actions of this great nation matter even more,” his majesty told attendees. “President Lincoln understood this so well, with his reflection in the magisterial Gettysburg Address that the world may little note what we say, but will never forget what we do.”Earlier in his speech, King Charles made a point to highlight the shared legal traditions of the United States and the United Kingdom. He gave a special note to the Magna Carta, an 800-year old document signed by a former English king which declared that the monarch, too, was subject to the laws of the nation. “[The] Magna Carta is cited in at least 160 Supreme Court cases since 1789, not least as the foundation of the principle that executive power is subject to checks and balances,” the king told the crowd. After that remark, both Democrats and Republicans stood to applaud for more than 20 seconds, though Democrats made a point of cheering on the king. At the outset of his speech, his majesty also addressed this past weekend’s shooting at the White House Correspondents’ Dinner. He praised the first responders who kept attendees safe and proclaimed that “Such acts of violence will never succeed.”A lifelong environmentalist, King Charles called on Congress to not ignore the immediate threat of climate change. He says that the health of the planet is one of the most critical issues facing the world today. “We ignore, at our peril, the fact that these natural systems — in other words, nature’s own economy — provide the foundation for our prosperity and our national security,” the king said. The remarks on the European alliance and the importance of mutual defense may hit some lawmakers especially hard given Mr. Trump’s criticism and skepticism of the alliance. After bombing Iran in a joint campaign with Israel, which later led to the closure of the Strait of Hormuz, it was Mr. Trump who demanded that Europeans simply go take control of the critical shipping lane. On Tuesday, Mr. Trump lashed out at Chancellor Merz of Germany, a major NATO proponent, who criticized how the American president had been handling negotiations with Iran. “He doesn’t know what he’s talking about! If Iran had a Nuclear Weapon, the whole World would be held hostage. I am doing something with Iran, right now, that other Nations, or Presidents, should have done long ago,” Mr. Trump wrote of Mr. Merz on Truth Social. “No wonder Germany is doing so poorly, both Economically, and otherwise!”

King Charles Calls for Greater Commitment to NATO, European Alliances and Protections for the Environment at Congressional Address

More from the New York Sun

Unconditional Dictation

Can Courts Stop the War in Iran?

Fragile Lebanon Ceasefire Could Unravel, Reigniting the Iran War Too

More from the New York Sun

Unconditional Dictation

Can Courts Stop the War in Iran?

Fragile Lebanon Ceasefire Could Unravel, Reigniting the Iran War Too

Mayor Mamdani and Council Speaker Menin Square Off in Manhattan Special Election

‘Undress Now’: Weeping Aspiring Actress Tells Jury How Harvey Weinstein Ordered Her To Submit, Still Didn’t Give Her an Acting Role

Former FBI Director Comey Indicted Again — This Time for ‘8647’ Seashell Post

James Comey’s Fired Daughter Maurene Wins Permission To Sue Trump on Same Day Her Father Is Indicted Over Seashell Threat

The Beautiful Capitalist Game