The Pentagon said it is halting the deployment of 4,000 troops to Poland, according to US officials, after President Donald Trump’s administration said it would pull out thousands of soldiers in Germany.
The 4,000 troops in question belong to the Army’s 2nd Armored Brigade Combat Team.
What did US officials say about the decision?
General Christopher LaNeve, the acting chief of staff of the US Army, said the head of US European Command “received the instructions on the force reduction.”
LaNeve, who was testifying before the US House Armed Services Committee, said “it made the most sense for that brigade to not do its deployment in theater” but did not give much rationale for the decision.
Secretary of the Army Dan Driscoll was also at the House hearing, and said the deployment was halted “a couple days ago.”
Joe Courtney, a Democratic lawmaker from Connecticut who sits on the committee, said the move conveys a “horrible message” and added that allies “are paying attention.”
Mike Rogers, a Republican congressman from Alabama who is the ranking member on the House Armed Services Committee, said, “We don’t know what is going on here, but I can tell you, we’re not happy with what’s being talked about, particularly since there’s been no statutory consultation with us.”
Republican says Polish officials ‘blindsided’ by ‘reprehensible’ decision
Don Bacon, a Republican congressman from Nebraska, said Polish officials were “blindsided” by the move. He called the decision “reprehensible” and called it “an embarassment to our country what we just did to Poland.”
Bacon said the House Armed Services Committee should hold US Pentagon chief Pete Hegseth accountable for the move — “it’s wrong.”
Pentagon spokesperson Joel Valdez said the “decision to withdraw troops follows a comprehensive, multilayered process” and added it was “not an unexpected, last-minute decision.”
Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk told a presser that he “received assurances” that “these decisions are of a logistical nature and will not directly affect deterrence capabilities and our security.”
Troop cuts come as Russia launches deadly fresh attacks on Ukraine
The slashed troop deployment comes as Russia’s invasion of Ukraine continues, with Russia carrying out deadly attacks in recent days.
Trump earlier this month said the US would pull out 5,000 troops from Germany.
It came after German Chancellor Friedrich Merz said the US was being “humiliated” by Iran’s leadership amid the ongoing war. Trump lashed out at Merz over the remarks and said the German chancellor should focus on “fixing his broken country.”
At a security event in Estonia, US Undersecretary of State for Arms Control and International Security Thomas G. DiNanno said the US drawdown in Europe is “right there in black and white,” but added that the “US isn’t going anywhere.”
Edited by: Sean Sinico
