The Pentagon has announced it will withdraw approximately 5,000 U.S. troops from Germany, a move that could trigger further reductions across Europe. The withdrawal is expected to be completed within the next six to twelve months, according to Pentagon spokesman Sean Parnell.
Parnell told NPR that the order was issued by Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and followed a review of the Department's force posture in Europe and current conditions on the ground. The reduction would leave more than 30,000 U.S. troops in Germany, reversing a buildup that began under the Biden administration following the 2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine.
President Donald Trump indicated on Thursday that the cuts might extend beyond Germany. When speaking to reporters, Trump said, "Yeah, I probably will…look, and why shouldn't I?" regarding potential troop reductions in Italy and Spain. He also told reporters on Saturday that the administration is prepared to cut "way down" and much further than the initial 5,000 troops.
U.S. and NATO reactions
German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius described the decision as "anticipated" during an interview with the dpa news agency. Pistorius stated that the presence of American troops in Europe and Germany is in the interest of both Germany and the United States, but noted that Germany must work to strengthen the European pillar within NATO to remain a transatlantic partner.
According to Reddit r/worldnews, Germany is currently planning to increase defense spending to over three percent of its GDP by next year. This expansion follows criticisms from Chancellor Friedrich Merz, who recently told the Associated Press that the U.S. was being "humiliated" by Iranian leadership.
In the United States, senior Republican lawmakers Roger Wicker and Mike Rogers, chairs of the Senate and House armed services committees respectively, issued a joint statement expressing concern. They argued that reducing the U.S. brigade in Germany before European allies fully realize their increased defense capabilities "risks undermining deterrence and sending the wrong signal to Vladimir Putin."
Rather than a full withdrawal, Wicker and Rogers suggested that the 5,000 forces should be relocated further east within the continent.
House Armed Services Committee Democrat Adam Smith criticized the decision, telling BBC World RSS that the move is "not grounded in any coherent US national security policy, strategy, or even analysis," alleging instead that it is based on the "hurt feelings of a president who is seeking political vengeance."
Republican Representative Clay Higgins offered a different perspective on X, suggesting the withdrawal targeted "arrogant Germans."
NATO spokesperson Allison Hart confirmed via X that the alliance is working with the United States to clarify the details of the withdrawal. The announcement follows a previous U.S. decision to reduce troop presence in Romania as part of a broader strategy to shift military focus from Europe to the Indo-Pacific region.
