Defense & National Security Newsletter

Trump considers reduction of US troops in Germany

by Filip Timotija - 04/29/26 7:05 PM ET

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by Filip Timotija - 04/29/26 7:05 PM ET

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Trump considers reduction of US troops in Germany

President Trump said on Wednesday that he is reviewing a possible reduction of U.S. troops in Germany, with the determination to be made over the “next short period of time.”

“The United States is studying and reviewing the possible reduction of Troops in Germany, with a determination to be made over the next short period of time,” the president wrote in a Truth Social post. “Thank you for your attention to this matter!”

The review of the number of U.S. service members stationed in Germany comes as relations between Washington and Berlin have gone astray in recent weeks.

Trump has hammered German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, arguing he has miscalculated the threat posed by Iran amid the U.S. war against Tehran.

“He doesn’t know what he’s talking about! If Iran had a Nuclear Weapon, the whole World would be held hostage. I am doing something with Iran, right now, that other Nations, or Presidents, should have done long ago,” Trump said Tuesday on Truth Social. “No wonder Germany is doing so poorly, both Economically, and otherwise!”

Previously, Merz has said that the U.S. had been “humiliated” by Iran amid the closure of the Strait of Hormuz.

The U.S. has more than 35,000 troops in Germany and its largest air base located near the city of Ramstein.

The president has questioned NATO’s usefulness after the alliance’s members did not join Washington in its conflict against Iran and European allies are worried the Trump administration could withdraw service members from the continent.

 Welcome to The Hill’s Defense & National Security newsletter, I’m Filip Timotija — your guide to the latest developments at the Pentagon, on Capitol Hill and beyond.

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