Republicans say Trump call for Russia to attack Nato allies was just fine, actually

Tom Cotton echoes fellow GOP senators, saying former president was simply ringing the warning bell'

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A leading Republican senator said Donald Trump was simply ringing the warning bell" when he caused global alarm by declaring he would encourage Russia to attack Nato allies who did not pay enough to maintain the alliance, as Trump's party closed ranks behind its presumptive presidential nominee.

Nato countries that don't spend enough on defense, like Germany, are already encouraging Russian aggression and President Trump is simply ringing the warning bell," Tom Cotton of Arkansas, a former soldier, told the New York Times.