A Republican congressman is pressuring Donald Trump to keep Turkey banned from receiving F-35 fighter jets, sending a le...

A Republican congressman is pressuring Donald Trump to keep Turkey banned from receiving F-35 fighter jets, sending a letter to the president that is currently gathering signatures from other members of Congress. Rep. Mike Lawler of New York argues that Ankara's behavior makes the sale a threat to American national interests, not just a NATO ally dispute. He points to Erdogan's "continued aggressive posture" toward key U.S. partners, Turkey's defense cooperation with Washington's adversaries, and its ongoing military occupation of northern Cyprus. Lawler also highlights Turkey's actions against Greece and its increasingly hostile rhetoric toward Israel as further reasons to hold the line. He reminded Trump that it was his own first administration that removed Turkey from the F-35 program in 2019, after Ankara purchased Russia's S-400 air defense system. The congressman cites a legal framework passed by Congress in the 2020 defense budget that explicitly prohibits transferring F-35s to Turkey for as long as it retains the S-400. While acknowledging Turkey has been a NATO member since 1952, Lawler argues it cannot easily be considered a reliable partner under current conditions. He closes by warning Trump that reversing course would send the wrong message to Erdogan and to American allies across Europe and the Middle East. The letter is still collecting congressional signatures before it is formally submitted. #Greece #Turkey #F35