The Pentagon is preparing to withdraw approximately 5,000 U.S. troops from Germany, senior defense officials confirmed Friday. The move is a direct signal of President Trump's frustration with European allies who have declined to join the U.S. military campaign against Iran.
Germany hosts over 36,000 active-duty American troops, the second-largest overseas U.S. force behind Japan. The country is also home to U.S. European Command, Africa Command, and Ramstein Air Base-a critical hub for operations.
Some withdrawn forces may return to the U.S. and subsequently deploy to the Indo-Pacific region or elsewhere. Officials stressed the change will not impact medical evacuations to Landstuhl Regional Medical Center, the largest U.S. military hospital abroad.
The decision follows public clashes between President Trump and German Chancellor Friedrich Merz. Merz recently accused the U.S. of lacking a strategy on Iran and said America was being "humiliated" by Iranian negotiators. Trump fired back on Truth Social, claiming Merz "doesn't know what he's talking about" and accusing him of interfering with efforts to eliminate the "Iran Nuclear threat."
Trump has long criticized NATO allies for insufficient defense spending. In recent years, he has also pushed European nations to take more responsibility for supporting Ukraine against Russia's invasion.
The president first proposed reducing forces in Germany near the end of his first term, a plan reversed by former President Joe Biden.