WASHINGTON, D.C. – House Armed Services Committee Ranking Member Adam Smith (D-Wash.) released the following statement in response to President Donald Trump’s order to remove 5,000 U.S. troops from Germany.
"President Trump’s order that the Pentagon begin pulling 5,000 U.S. troops from our warfighting formations in Germany is not grounded in any coherent U.S. national security policy, strategy, or even analysis. It is counter to what is needed and will embolden Russia. Trump has directed this move simply because he got his feelings hurt by German Chancellor Friedrich Merz’s statements criticizing his war of choice with Iran.
"It doesn’t matter that our presence in Germany is essential to our national security. It doesn’t matter that Germany is an excellent ally and has actually continued providing access to bases that have supported operations in the Middle East despite not being consulted beforehand and despite the lack of a strategy for Trump's war. It doesn’t matter that withdrawing a brigade combat team from Europe runs counter to the intent of the law that Congress passed overwhelmingly last year. All that matters are the hurt feelings of a president who is seeking political vengeance.
"Cutting troops and harming alliances for personal reasons is dangerous and should be rejected by Congress. If President Trump and Secretary Hegseth won't reverse this decision, I hope my Republican colleagues will join us in enforcing the law and taking bipartisan actions to support our national security needs and force posture in Europe. "
"President Trump’s order that the Pentagon begin pulling 5,000 U.S. troops from our warfighting formations in Germany is not grounded in any coherent U.S. national security policy, strategy, or even analysis. It is counter to what is needed and will embolden Russia. Trump has directed this move simply because he got his feelings hurt by German Chancellor Friedrich Merz’s statements criticizing his war of choice with Iran.
"It doesn’t matter that our presence in Germany is essential to our national security. It doesn’t matter that Germany is an excellent ally and has actually continued providing access to bases that have supported operations in the Middle East despite not being consulted beforehand and despite the lack of a strategy for Trump's war. It doesn’t matter that withdrawing a brigade combat team from Europe runs counter to the intent of the law that Congress passed overwhelmingly last year. All that matters are the hurt feelings of a president who is seeking political vengeance.
"Cutting troops and harming alliances for personal reasons is dangerous and should be rejected by Congress. If President Trump and Secretary Hegseth won't reverse this decision, I hope my Republican colleagues will join us in enforcing the law and taking bipartisan actions to support our national security needs and force posture in Europe. "
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