NEW: Trump Publicizes Vital Troop Withdrawals From Europe
President Donald Trump announced Saturday the United States plans to reduce its troop presence in Germany by substantially more than the approximately 5,000 troops announced by the Pentagon the previous day. Speaking to reporters in Florida, Trump stated, “We’re going to cut way down. And we’re cutting a lot further than 5,000.”
The Pentagon announced the initial withdrawal of roughly 5,000 troops on May 1. “The Secretary of War has ordered the withdrawal of approximately 5,000 troops from Germany,” Chief Pentagon spokesman Sean Parnell said in a statement.
“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. We expect the withdrawal to be completed over the next six to twelve months,” he added. War Secretary Pete Hegseth ultimately issued the order.
Approximately 35,000 to 36,000 U.S. service members are currently stationed in Germany, the largest U.S. military presence in Europe.
A reduction of 5,000 troops would represent about 14 percent of that total. The United States maintains roughly 80,000 troops across Europe in total.
Germany hosts major U.S. facilities, including Ramstein Air Base, Grafenwöhr training area, and installations in Frankfurt. Reports indicate the initial drawdown may involve the 2nd Cavalry Regiment, the only permanent brigade combat team based in Germany, along with the cancellation of a prior plan to add artillery units equipped with Tomahawk missiles.
The announcement follows a period of tensions between the Trump administration and German officials regarding the U.S. involvement in the conflict with Iran. German Chancellor Friedrich Merz had publicly criticized aspects of the U.S. approach to the conflict.
Earlier in the week, Trump had indicated on social media that the administration was reviewing troop levels in Germany.
German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius addressed the initial 5,000-troop withdrawal, describing it as anticipated.
“We work closely with the Americans, in Ramstein, in Grafenwöhr, in Frankfurt and elsewhere, for peace and security in Europe, for Ukraine and for common deterrence,” he said.
The USA also bundles other military functions here, for example, for its security policy interests in Africa and the Middle East.” Pistorius added that Europe must “take more responsibility for our security” and noted coordination with allies including the United Kingdom, France, Poland, and Italy.
During Trump’s first term as president, the administration had planned to withdraw around 9,500 troops from Germany, a decision that was later reversed by the Biden administration before implementation.
The current reduction would return U.S. troop levels in Europe to those in place prior to Russia’s 2022 invasion of Ukraine.
NATO is assessing the details of the withdrawal.
A NATO spokesperson said the alliance is working with the U.S. to understand the details of their decision on force posture in Germany. Some senior Republican lawmakers in the United States have expressed criticism of the broader plan to reduce troop numbers, however.
Trump has previously criticized the arrangement under which the United States maintains a large military presence in Germany while calling on European NATO members to increase their own defense spending.
The Pentagon has not released further specifics on the additional reductions referenced by Trump or a timeline for any withdrawals beyond the initial 5,000 troops. No official statements have been issued detailing the full scope or exact units involved in any further cuts either.