Dem lawmaker makes Trump a memo with ‘pictures and colors’ to remind him of US allies

Rep. Ted Lieu (D-Calif.) on Wednesday made President Trump a one-page memo to “remind” him of U.S. allies after Trump hammered NATO members at the group’s annual summit earlier on Wednesday.

“Dear POTUS: In light of your comments about #NATO today, here’s a simple one page memo with pictures and colors to remind you who our allies are,” Lieu said a tweet.

Lieu attached a photo of the memo addressed to the president with the subject line, “Allies of the U.S.” to his tweet.

The lawmaker placed Germany and “NATO Allies” under the “Allies of the U.S.” category in the memo along with the subtext: “Also, did not attack us during the 2016 elections.”

He then placed Russia underneath the “NOT allies of the U.S.” category with the subtext: “Attacked us during the 2016 elections.” 

Dear @POTUS: In light of your comments about #NATO today, here’s a simple one page memo with pictures and colors to remind you who our allies are. pic.twitter.com/IpDxN78jqi

— Rep. Ted Lieu (@RepTedLieu) July 11, 2018

Lieu’s remarks came after the president took aim at Germany — one of America’s closest allies — at the NATO summit over a pipeline deal with Russia. Trump claimed the agreement made Berlin “captive to Russia” and urged NATO to assess the situation. 

“I have to say, I think it’s very sad when Germany makes a massive oil and gas deal with Russia, where you’re supposed to be guarding against Russia, and Germany goes out and pays billions and billions of dollars a year to Russia,” the president said during a meeting with the NATO secretary-general.

{mosads}

“If you look at it, Germany is a captive of Russia because they supply,” Trump continued. “They got rid of their coal plants. They got rid of their nuclear. They’re getting so much of the oil and gas from Russia. I think it’s something that NATO has to look at. I think it’s very inappropriate.” 

The comments came mere hours after Trump arrived at the summit.

Trump on Wednesday demanded that NATO members increase their defense spending immediately, citing the need to meet a 10-year goal ahead of the alliance’s deadline.

“What good is NATO if Germany is paying Russia billions of dollars for gas and energy? Why are there only 5 out of 29 countries that have met their commitment?” Trump tweeted on Wednesday. The comments followed his earlier remarks slamming allies for not spending more on their own defense and relying too heavily on the U.S. for protection.

The president is facing backlash for his repeated criticism of NATO alliance members in contrast to his apparently friendly rhetoric toward Russia and its president, Vladimir Putin.