Defense committee leaders warn withdrawal could weaken deterrence and urge alternative deployment strategy in Europe.
By yourNEWS Media Newsroom
Roger Wicker and Mike Rogers voiced concern over plans to withdraw a U.S. military brigade from Germany, warning the move could affect stability in Europe and alter strategic messaging toward Vladimir Putin.
“We are very concerned by the decision to withdraw a U.S. brigade from Germany,” the two Republican leaders said in a joint statement.
The announcement follows a broader effort by Donald Trump to reduce the American military footprint abroad while continuing to press NATO allies to increase their defense spending and assume a larger share of regional security responsibilities.
Wicker and Rogers acknowledged that Germany has increased its defense contributions in response to those calls, citing expanded military spending and continued support for U.S. operations, including access and logistical cooperation tied to Operation Epic Fury.
Despite those developments, the lawmakers cautioned that increased spending alone does not immediately translate into operational capability. “The reality remains even as allies move toward spending 5% of GDP on defense, translating that investment into the military capability needed to assume primary responsibility for conventional deterrence will take time,” they said.
They warned that reducing the U.S. presence before allied forces are fully prepared could weaken deterrence. “Prematurely reducing America’s forward presence in Europe before those capabilities are fully realized risks undermining deterrence and sending the wrong signal,” their statement said.
As an alternative, the lawmakers suggested repositioning forces within Europe rather than removing them entirely. They proposed relocating approximately 5,000 U.S. troops to Eastern European countries, arguing that allies in that region have made significant investments to host American forces and strengthen NATO’s eastern flank.
The proposal reflects ongoing concerns among defense officials about vulnerabilities along NATO’s eastern boundary as tensions with Russia persist.
Wicker and Rogers also called for a more deliberate review process, emphasizing the importance of coordination with Congress and allied governments before making major changes to U.S. force posture. “Any significant change to U.S. force posture in Europe warrants a deliberate review process and close coordination with Congress and our allies,” they said.
They added that they expect the Department of Defense to brief lawmakers in the coming weeks regarding the rationale and potential consequences of the decision.
The planned withdrawal has prompted varied responses among policymakers and NATO partners, with some supporting efforts to encourage greater European self-reliance, while others warn that a rapid reduction in U.S. forces could create strategic gaps during a period of heightened geopolitical uncertainty.
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