Hegseth orders 5,000 US troops to withdraw from Germany

WASHINGTON — Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has ordered the withdrawal of roughly 5,000 US troops from Germany over the next year, a spokesman confirmed to Breaking Defense.

“This decision follows a thorough review of the Department’s force posture in Europe and is in recognition of theater requirements and conditions on the ground,” Chief Pentagon Spokesman Sean Parnell wrote in a brief statement. “We expect the withdrawal to be completed over the next six to twelve months.”

The Pentagon did not respond to questions about plans for the approximately 30,000 troops that will remain in Germany, or if the withdrawal would impact US troops in other NATO countries. 

Reuters posted the decision on X this evening.

The announcement comes after months of upheaval between the US and NATO allies to include US President Donald Trump’s threat to invade Greenland, broader tariff disputes, and, more recently, US-Israel military operations against Iran. 

While Iran and the US are technically in a ceasefire, both nations are conducting a blockade of vessels through the Strait of Hormuz, while Trump has flip-flopped on calls from NATO allies to help intervene and clear potential mines in the waters below. 

While the US has taken aim at Spain and the UK, tensions between Berlin and Washington have been rising in recent days with leaders from both countries exchanging a series of barbs that included German Chancellor Friedrich Merz saying Iran has “humiliated” Washington, while Trump jabbed back that a troop withdrawal could be on the horizon.