Trump Blocks Hegseth's Europe Troop Cuts as 68,000 US Forces Remain Deployed
Updated
Updated · The Independent · Jul 3
Trump Blocks Hegseth's Europe Troop Cuts as 68,000 US Forces Remain Deployed
3 articles · Updated · The Independent · Jul 3
Summary
Trump stepped in before Pete Hegseth could tell NATO military chiefs last month that Washington was preparing further troop cuts in Europe, according to the Wall Street Journal.
A backlash over earlier withdrawals and intervention by Marco Rubio and other senior officials led Hegseth to shelve the announcement and instead launch a six-month review of troop levels, bases and military access.
68,000 US troops are currently deployed in Europe, and Pentagon officials have warned that shifting soldier numbers without clear guidance could cost taxpayers millions.
The reversal exposes divisions inside the administration as Trump pressures allies to spend more, after threats to pull 5,000 troops from Germany were followed by a surprise plan to send 5,000 to Poland.
NATO members have pledged defense spending of 5% of GDP by 2035, but European allies remain uneasy about any rapid US drawdown while Russia's war in Ukraine continues.