Trump troop cuts in Europe could be blocked by Congress — here’s how he might get around it
About 53,000 U.S. service members are stationed across the three countries, serving as logistics hubs for the Middle East
By Morgan Phillips Fox News
Published May 2, 2026 11:37am EDT
President Donald Trump's effort to broadly pull U.S. troops from key NATO allies over resistance to the Iran war could run into new limits imposed by Congress, but the administration may have a way around them.
Trump ordered the withdrawal of 5,000 troops from Germany Friday, a drawdown which will happen over the next six to 12 months, according to Pentagon spokesperson Sean Parnell.
Lawmakers have restricted large-scale troop reductions in Europe below 76,000.
But Trump still retains broad authority as commander in chief to move forces between countries, opening the door to shifting troops away from allies like Germany, Spain or Italy without reducing the overall U.S. presence.
Pentagon orders withdrawal of 5,000 U.S. troops from Germany as Trump escalates feud with Merz
The warning follows pushback from allies including Spain and Italy, which have limited how U.S. forces can use key bases for Iran-related missions, highlighting tensions inside NATO as Washington presses partners for support during the escalating conflict.
Trump said Wednesday the U.S. is "studying and reviewing the possible reduction of troops" in Germany, comments that came after Chancellor Friedrich Merz said the U.S. was "being humiliated" by Iran.
Merz downplayed the spat between Washington and Berlin in a statement Thursday.
"On all these issues, we maintain close and trusting contact with our partners, including — and especially — those in Washington. We do so in the shared transatlantic interest. We do so with mutual respect and a fair sharing of burdens."
German foreign minister Johann Wadephul said in his own statement: "The Ramstein Air Base serves an irreplaceable function for both the US and us."
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