23:59 01-05-2026

Trump’s Germany Troop Cut Talk Jolts Pentagon

Trump’s remarks on reducing US troops in Germany surprised the Pentagon, with officials weighing whether new withdrawals could follow.

Donald Trump’s remarks about a possible reduction of the US military presence in Germany have caught the Pentagon off guard, according to Politico, which cited an unnamed German official familiar with the reaction to the US president’s comments.

The report says Trump’s statements caused confusion among military officials, who are now trying to assess whether the president’s position signals a serious policy shift. Politico’s sources in US military circles said discussions are underway over potential further steps that could lead to the withdrawal of hundreds, or even thousands, of American service members from Germany.

A US congressional staffer familiar with the talks said the Pentagon had not been preparing for such a scenario and had no plans to reduce the American contingent in Germany. Still, the staffer noted that Trump’s position should not be dismissed, given that he pursued similar decisions during his first term. In 2020, the United States announced the withdrawal of 11,900 troops from Germany.

Sean Parnell, the US assistant secretary of war for public affairs, said the Pentagon is reviewing different possible scenarios. He indicated that the department is prepared to follow the commander-in-chief’s orders on the timeline and at the location he chooses.