Democratic lawmakers are traveling to this week’s Munich Security Conference to send a message to European allies: Congress still sees the transatlantic alliance as a core U.S. interest, even if President Donald Trump doesn’t always seem to.
At least 50 U.S. lawmakers are expected to attend the conference, which runs Friday through Sunday in Munich, provided a funding lapse at the Department of Homeland Security doesn’t keep them in Washington. The lawmakers headed to Munich come from both parties, and Trump administration officials, including Secretary of State Marco Rubio, are expected to attend. California Gov. Gavin Newsom is making the trip as well.
Democrats are particularly focused on what they see as a crucial reassurance mission to allies. Several lawmakers told NOTUS they want to meet privately with European leaders to calm rattled nerves.