The Pentagon said it was halting the deployment of 4,000 troops to Poland after President Donald Trump’s administration said it would withdraw thousands of troops from Germany, according to US officials.
The 4,000 soldiers in question belong to the Army’s Second Armored Brigade Combat Team.
What did US officials say on the decision?
Gen. Christopher Laneve, acting chief of staff of the U.S. Army, said the head of U.S. European Command “has received instructions on force reductions.”
Laneway, who was conducting the hearing before the US House Armed Services Committee, said, “It would be most appropriate for that brigade not to deploy to the theater” but he did not provide much reasoning for the decision.
Army Secretary Dan Driscoll was also at the House hearing and said the deployment was made “a few days ago.”
Joe Courtney, a Democratic congressman from Connecticut who sits on the committee, said the move sends a “terrible message” and said colleagues “are paying attention.”
Congressman Mike Rogers, a Republican from Alabama who is the ranking member of the House Armed Services Committee, said, “We don’t know what’s going on here, but I can tell you, we are not happy with what’s being talked about, especially since we have had no legislative consultation.”
Republicans say Polish officials ‘blinded’ by ‘reprehensible’ decision
Don Bacon, a Republican congressman from Nebraska, said Polish officials were “blindsided” by the move. He described the decision as “reprehensible” and said that “it is an embarrassment to our country what we did to Poland.”
Bacon said the House Armed Services Committee should hold US Pentagon chief Pete Hegseth responsible for the move – “that’s wrong.”
Pentagon spokesman Joel Valdez said that “the decision to withdraw troops follows a comprehensive, multistep process” and that it was “not an unexpected, last-minute decision.”
Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk said at a press conference that he was “reassured” that “these decisions are of a logical nature and will not directly affect deterrent capabilities and our security.”
Troop numbers cut after Russia launches deadly new attacks on Ukraine
The reduction in troop deployment comes as Russia’s invasion of Ukraine continues, with Russia carrying out deadly attacks in recent days.
Trump had said earlier this month that the US would withdraw 5,000 troops from Germany.
It came as German Chancellor Friedrich Merz said the US was being “humiliated” by Iran’s leadership amid the ongoing war. Trump criticized Merz over the comments, saying the German chancellor should focus on “fixing our broken country.”
At a security event in Estonia, US Under Secretary of State for Arms Control and International Security Thomas G. DiNano said that America’s return to Europe is “right there in black and white,” but he also said that “America is not going anywhere.”
Edited by: Shawn Sinico