Top Republicans warn Trump that pulling troops from Germany signals weakness to Putin.

Two top Republicans express alarm over President Donald Trump's plan to pull 5,000 troops from Germany. Senator Roger Wicker and Representative Mike Rogers, who chair the Senate and House Armed Services Committees respectively, warn this move sends the wrong signal to Vladimir Putin.

In a joint statement issued Saturday, they noted that Germany has already stepped up its defense spending and provided seamless access for US forces supporting Operation Epic Fury. They argue that reducing America's forward presence before these capabilities are fully realized risks undermining deterrence.

The congressmen urged the president to reconsider shifting the 5,000 US forces to the East, stating it is vital for American interests to maintain a strong deterrent in Europe. They also highlighted that European allies have increased investments to host these troops, which cuts costs for US taxpayers and strengthens NATO's front line.

Wicker and Rogers reminded the administration that any significant change to the US military triggers a review process involving Congress and allies. They expect the Department to engage with oversight committees soon regarding the decision's implications for transatlantic security.

The Pentagon announced Friday it will withdraw the troops within six to 12 months. This action fulfills a threat by President Trump amid clashes with German leader Friedrich Merz over the US war with Iran. Merz had earlier claimed the US was being humiliated by Iranian leadership and criticized Washington's strategy.

Pentagon spokesman Sean Parnell stated the decision follows a thorough review of force posture in Europe and addresses current theater requirements. Germany hosts several key US facilities, including the headquarters for European and Africa commands, Ramstein Air Base, and a medical center in Landstuhl. That facility treated casualties from the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq.

American nuclear missiles remain stationed within the country, anchoring a significant portion of the US military footprint in the region. The planned reduction of forces in Germany represents a 14 percent cut from the current deployment of 36,000 American service members. German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius characterized the potential withdrawal of US troops from Europe and Germany as a foreseeable development, yet he simultaneously emphasized the mutual benefits derived from the continued American military presence on the continent.

Tensions escalated earlier this week when President Trump criticized German Chancellor Merz, stating that his administration is performing poorly and struggling significantly with the Ukraine crisis. Following this rebuke, a senior Pentagon official, speaking on condition of anonymity to protect sensitive strategic information, condemned recent German rhetoric as inappropriate and unhelpful. The official noted that the President's reaction was justified given the counterproductive nature of these remarks.

In defense of Germany's position, Pistorius asserted that the nation is on the right track, citing the expansion of the Bundeswehr, accelerated equipment procurement, and ongoing infrastructure construction as evidence of progress. However, a senior Pentagon official clarified that the troop drawdown will return US levels in Europe to those seen prior to 2022, reversing the buildup initiated by President Biden following Russia's invasion of Ukraine. Despite European NATO members, including Germany, pledging to assume greater responsibility for their own defense in response to Washington's criticism, tight budgets and substantial capability gaps mean the region will require years to meet its security needs independently.