Senior Republican lawmakers in the United States have raised concerns over a Pentagon plan to reduce the American military presence in Germany, warning that the move could weaken NATO deterrence and send an encouraging signal to Russia.
The planned reduction involves the withdrawal of around 5,000 US troops currently stationed in Germany, which hosts the largest American military deployment in Europe. The decision was confirmed by Pentagon spokesperson Sean Parnell, who said it followed a detailed review of operational needs and conditions on the ground.
Two senior lawmakers, Senator Roger Wicker and Representative Mike Rogers, who lead the Senate and House Armed Services Committees respectively, argued that the troops should not be withdrawn from Europe entirely. Instead, they suggested that forces should be repositioned further east to strengthen deterrence against potential threats.
In a joint statement, they warned that reducing US military presence before allied capabilities are fully developed could weaken security in Europe and potentially embolden Russian President Vladimir Putin.
They stressed that maintaining a strong forward deployment in Europe remains in the strategic interest of the United States and its allies, particularly as European nations increase defence spending.
However, not all lawmakers opposed the move. Some Republicans expressed support for the decision, while others criticised Congress itself in response to the debate.
The senior Democrat on the House Armed Services Committee, Adam Smith, sharply criticised the withdrawal plan, arguing it lacked strategic justification and was driven more by political considerations than national security analysis.
The decision has also drawn attention from European allies. Germany’s Defence Minister Boris Pistorius described the move as “foreseeable,” while reaffirming that the presence of US troops in Europe is beneficial for both sides.
NATO has requested clarification from Washington regarding the scope and timeline of the withdrawal. The alliance currently relies heavily on US forces stationed across Europe, particularly in Germany.
President Donald Trump confirmed that further troop reductions could follow, although he did not provide details. The US currently maintains more than 36,000 active-duty troops in Germany, with additional deployments in countries such as Italy and the United Kingdom.
The US military presence in Germany is the largest in Europe, significantly higher than deployments in Italy and the UK. The Pentagon has indicated that the withdrawal is expected to be completed within six to twelve months.
The move comes amid broader discussions within NATO about burden-sharing and defence spending. Germany has increased its military budget in recent years and is projected to spend over €100 billion annually on defence in the coming years, including support for Ukraine.
Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk warned that internal divisions within NATO could pose a greater threat than external adversaries, urging alliance members to strengthen cooperation and defence commitments.
NATO spokesperson Allison Hart said the alliance is working with the United States to better understand the decision, while noting that European allies must continue increasing defence investment.
Tensions between Washington and Berlin have also contributed to the dispute. Recent exchanges between Trump and German Chancellor Friedrich Merz escalated after comments about US strategy and European security policy, further straining diplomatic relations.
The Pentagon said the troop withdrawal reflects a broader reassessment of global US military priorities, including a shift in focus toward the Indo-Pacific region. Similar adjustments have previously included changes to troop levels in Romania.
Despite the controversy, US officials insist that the review is part of a long-term strategic realignment rather than a disengagement from European security.
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