President Donald Trump, via Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, has ordered the withdrawal of approximately 5,000 U.S. troops from Germany due to European allies' insufficient support for U.S. operations against Iran, including reopening the Strait of Hormuz. Pentagon spokesman Sean Parnell announced the move follows a force posture review and will occur over six to twelve months, primarily affecting a brigade combat team and halting a planned long-range fires battalion deployment. The decision fulfills prior threats and escalates tensions with German Chancellor Friedrich Merz over Iran's nuclear ambitions and the ongoing conflict.
The withdrawal brings U.S. troop levels in Europe closer to pre-2022 figures before the Ukraine surge, with about 39,000 troops remaining in Germany out of 86,000 across Europe. Officials emphasized it signals to Germany and other allies to take primary responsibility for Europe's defense amid a broader strategic realignment prioritizing the U.S. homeland, Western Hemisphere, and Indo-Pacific.
"This 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," Parnell said. A senior Defense official noted European allies failed to support U.S. efforts against the Iranian regime: "The Europeans have not stepped up when America needed them. This cannot be a one-way street."
The move builds on Trump's warnings last week to review troop presence in Germany, Italy, and Spain for refusing base access and support in the two-month Iran war. Tensions peaked after Merz accused the U.S. of being humiliated by Iran and lacking strategy; Trump retorted on social media that Merz "has no idea what he's talking about" and tolerates Iran's nuclear weapon, which would "hold the whole World hostage."
A Pentagon official called Merz's comments "unangemessen und nicht hilfreich" (inappropriate and unhelpful), though Merz insisted his relationship with Trump remains good. Trump is still considering similar cuts in Italy and Spain, but Congress limits prolonged drops below 76,000 troops in Europe Command.
