Two prime Republicans share fears over Trump withdrawing 5,000 troops from Germany saying it should ‘ship incorrect sign to Putin’
Two top Republican congressmen have drawn concern over President Donald Trump‘s wish to pull 5,000 troops from Germany.
Senator Roger Wicker and Representative Mike Rogers, who chair the Senate and House Armed Services Committees, said pulling troops from the European country will give the ‘wrong signal to Vladimir Putin.’
‘Germany has stepped up in response to President Trump’s call for greater burden sharing, significantly increasing defense spending, and providing seamless access, basing, and overflight for US forces in support of Operation Epic Fury,’ they said in a joint statement on Saturday.
‘Prematurely reducing America’s forward presence in Europe before those capabilities are fully realized risks undermining deterrence and sending the wrong signal to Vladimir Putin.’
The congressmen begged the president to reconsider withdrawing forces, as it is in ‘America’s interest to maintain a strong deterrent in Europe by moving these 5,000 US forces to the East.’
They also reiterated that European allies have increased their investments to host US troops, which helps cut costs for US taxpayers and helps strengthen NATO‘s front line.
Wicker and Rogers also reminded the president that a significant change to the US military would prompt a review process by Congress and the US’ allies.
‘We expect the Department to engage with its oversight committees in the days and weeks ahead on this decision and its implications for US deterrence and transatlantic security,’ the men said.
Representative Mike Rogers and Senator Roger Wicker said pulling troops from the European country will give the ‘wrong signal to Vladimir Putin.’ They both chair the Senate and House Armed Services Committees
It was announced on Friday that the US will withdraw 5,000 troops from Germany in the next six to 12 months, the Pentagon said. It is fulfilling President Donald Trump’s threat as he clashes with the German leader over the US war with Iran
It was announced on Friday that the US will withdraw 5,000 troops from Germany in the next six to 12 months, the Pentagon said.
It is fulfilling President Donald Trump’s threat as he clashes with the German leader over the US war with Iran.
Trump had threatened to withdraw some troops from the NATO ally earlier this week after Chancellor Friedrich Merz said the US was being ‘humiliated’ by the Iranian leadership and criticized Washington’s lack of strategy in the war.
Pentagon spokesman Sean Parnell said in a statement that the ‘decision follows a thorough review of the Department’s force posture in Europe and is in recognition of theater requirements and conditions on the ground.’
Germany hosts several US military facilities, including the headquarters of its European and Africa commands, Ramstein Air Base, and a medical center in Landstuhl, where casualties from the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq were treated. US nuclear missiles are also stationed in the country.
The number of troops leaving Germany would be 14 percent of the 36,000 American service members stationed there.
German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius called it ‘foreseeable’ that the US would withdraw troops from Europe and Germany, while he sought to stress mutual benefit from the US military presence on the European continent.
The President ripped into Merz earlier on Friday, saying ‘he’s doing a terrible job and he’s got a big problem with Ukraine, because they’re in that mess.’
German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius called it ‘foreseeable’ that the US would withdraw troops from Europe and Germany
Pistorius, with Trump in March, said Germany was expanding its military efforts, but it would take years to meet for the region to meet its own security needs
A senior Pentagon official, speaking on condition of anonymity, said recent German rhetoric had been ‘inappropriate and unhelpful.’
‘The president is rightly reacting to these counterproductive remarks,’ the official said.
Pistorius responded by saying ‘Germany is on the right track,’ pointing to the expansion of its Bundeswehr armed forces, greater and faster procurement of equipment, and the construction of infrastructure.
In response to heavy criticism from Washington over defense spending, European NATO members, including Germany, have pledged to take on more responsibility for their own defense.
But with tight budgets and vast military capability gaps, it will take years for the region to meet its own security needs.
‘The presence of American soldiers in Europe, and especially in Germany, is in our interest and in the interest of the United States,’ Pistorius said.
The Pentagon said the drawdown would bring US troop levels in Europe back to roughly pre-2022 levels, before Russia’s invasion of Ukraine triggered a buildup by then-President Joe Biden.
