WASHINGTON, April 2. /TASS/. US Representative Thomas Massie (R-KY) offered the US to withdraw from NATO.

"Hawaii is not covered by the NATO treaty. Some experts say that needs to change. I say, let’s get the other 49 states out," the lawmaker said on his X page.

He made this comment in regards to the CNN report that quotes David Santoro, head of the Pacific Forum think tank, who noted that the state of Hawaii is not covered by the North Atlantic Treaty, including the Article 5 on collective defense. According to the expert this is caused by the fact that the island is located in the Pacific and is not a part of the North American continent, covered by the treaty.

The US Department of State specified that the state of Hawaii is indeed not covered by the Article 5, but it is covered by the Article 4 about the consultations in case of a threat to territorial integrity, political independence or security.

Previously, US ex-President and current presidential candidate Donald Trump raised the issue of the US’ withdrawal from NATO. He expressed his frustration over the NATO operation and threatened to withdraw from the alliance, should he win the presidential election, if European partners fail to bear a greater financial responsibility for their own security.