Trump Withdraws 5,000 U.S. Troops from Germany Amid Dispute with Chancellor Merz
President Trump ordered the Pentagon to withdraw approximately 5,000 active-duty troops from Germany over the next 6-12 months, following a public dispute with German Chancellor Friedrich Merz who criticized the U.S. war with Iran. The move affects roughly 14% of the U.S. military presence in the country.
Pentagon Announces Withdrawal
The Pentagon said on Friday the US will be withdrawing roughly 5,000 troops from Germany over the next year. The move would include one brigade combat team as well as other forces inside Germany.
Reason for Withdrawal
The move, which comes after President Donald Trump lashed out the German chancellor over his criticism of the US war with Iran, would still leave more than 30,000 US troops in the country. The decision was a direct response to comments made by Chancellor Friedrich Merz, but also reflected Trump's frustration that U.S. allies aren't doing enough.
Timeline Context
Trump foreshadowed the cuts earlier this week after German Chancellor Friedrich Merz said the US was being "humiliated" by Iran. During his visit to a school in central Germany on Monday, Merz accused US officials of entering a war without a clear strategy, saying the "whole affair is ill-considered to say the least."
Congressional Response
The withdrawal "suggests American commitments to our allies are dependent on the president's mood," said Sen. Jack Reed of Rhode Island, the ranking Democrat on the Senate Armed Services Committee. "The president should immediately cease this reckless action before he causes irreversible consequences for our alliances and long-term national security," Reed said.