Erin Kelly

USA TODAY

As President Trump heads home this weekend after a controversial speech to NATO allies in Brussels, the No. 2 Democrat in the House announced Friday that he will travel to Europe next week to reaffirm the importance of America's relationship with those allies and "reassure" them that the U.S. has their back.

Rep. Steny Hoyer, D-Md., did not mention Trump in his announcement Friday, but Hoyer was very critical Thursday of the president's speech at the North Atlantic Treaty Organization headquarters in Brussels on Thursday.

During that speech, which was not well-received by the Europeans, Trump did not specifically endorse a core tenet of the alliance's treaty that countries will treat an attack on one NATO member as an attack on all. Instead, the president chastised European allies for failing to pay their fair share to the alliance. The White House has declared the visit a success, citing pledges from NATO countries to increase their defense spending.

On Thursday, Hoyer blasted Trump's comments as "condescending."

"The President of the United States should not be lecturing our closest and most steadfast allies but reaffirming our common defense and our commitment to stand with them," Hoyer said in a statement. "I was appalled by his condescending remarks to NATO leaders today, which were an embarrassment for our country. President Trump’s call for NATO members to pay for common defense as though the NATO alliance were a transactional relationship, along with his repeated insistence on banning immigration, risk undermining the alliance and the principles for which it stands."

Hoyer is traveling to Denmark, Belgium, Lithuania and Estonia "to reaffirm the importance of the United States’ relationship with NATO member countries in light of Russia’s interference across Europe and as we confront the rising threat of terrorism."

Hoyer was referring to Russia's interference in the recent election in France and to its military incursions into the Ukraine.

"As Russia continues its nefarious activities and as we’ve seen terrorist attacks across the continent, I believe it is critical to reassure our European allies that we stand with them,” said Hoyer, who serves as the Democratic whip. "In my meetings with heads of state and cabinet officials, I will convey the support of the U.S. Congress as we combat these threats together."

In Copenhagen, Hoyer will meet with Danish Defense Minister Claus Hjort Frederiksen, former NATO secretary general Anders Fogh Rasmussen and Prime Minister Lars Loekke Rasmussen. He will then travel to Brussels, where he will meet with officials at the U.S. Mission at NATO headquarters and with European parliamentarians at the European Parliament.

Hoyer also will meet with leaders in Lithuania and Estonia.

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