OAN Staff Addie Davis
2:11 PM – Monday, May 4, 2026
The Pentagon has confirmed the withdrawal of 5,000 United States troops from Germany following critical comments made by German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, who claimed America is being “humiliated” abroad.
On Friday, Pentagon spokesperson Sean Parnell revealed that the pull-out would be completed in the next six to 12 months.
Last week, Merz criticized President Donald Trump’s handling of the Iranian conflict, claiming the U.S. is “being humiliated” by the current stalemate. A fragile ceasefire between the two countries began on April 8th, followed by ongoing negotiations that have so far been unsuccessful.
On Thursday, Trump stated that the German chancellor should focus on a conflict closer to the European nation.
“The Chancellor of Germany should spend more time on ending the war with Russia/Ukraine (Where he has been totally ineffective!), and fixing his broken Country, especially Immigration and Energy, and less time on interfering with those that are getting rid of the Iran Nuclear threat, thereby making the World, including Germany, a safer place!” the U.S. commander-in-chief said.
The day before, Trump hinted at the withdrawal, saying in a Wednesday social media post that the U.S. “is studying and reviewing the possible reduction of troops in Germany.”
While speaking to reporters outside of Air Force One in Palm Beach, Florida, on Saturday, the president revealed that the initial announcement may not reflect the final number.
“We’re going to cut way down, and we’re cutting a lot further than 5,000,” Trump said.
On Sunday, Merz claimed that the decision had “no connection” with the recent dispute, media outlets reported.
Trump has long been critical of the U.S. partnership in the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO), describing it as one-sided, and has repeatedly voiced a desire to withdraw from the alliance. However, a U.S. departure from NATO would require congressional approval.
The chairmen of the Senate and House Armed Services Committees, Senator Roger Wicker (R-Miss.) and Representative Mike Rogers (R-Ala.), released a joint statement on Saturday criticizing the troop withdrawal. They pointed to Germany’s increased defense spending and its support during Operation Epic Fury, the U.S.-led campaign against the Islamic Republic, including allowing U.S. use of its airspace and bases.
Instead of withdrawing the service members entirely, the chairmen suggested that they be moved east.
“Rather than withdrawing forces from the continent altogether, it is in the U.S. interest to maintain a strong deterrent in Europe by moving these 5,000 US forces to the east,” the statement said.
“Those allies there have made substantial investment to host U.S. troops, reducing costs for the U.S. taxpayer while strengthening NATO’s front line to help deter a far more costly conflict from ever beginning,” it continued.
Wicker and Rogers also said they expected the decision to undergo congressional review through oversight committees.
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