The Defense Department’s choice to withdraw approximately 800 soldiers stationed in Eastern Europe has sparked an uncommon, vigorous rebuke from Republican members of Congress, who declared Wednesday that the action conveys the “incorrect message” to Russia as the U.S. endeavors to compel Vladimir Putin to negotiate a cessation of hostilities in Ukraine.
In a combined declaration, the leading Republicans on the House and Senate armed services committees indicated they would not endorse alterations to the military’s presence in Europe without a “demanding interagency procedure,” encompassing collaboration with Congress.
“Regrettably, this seems to be precisely what is being attempted,” penned Sen. Roger Wicker of Mississippi and Rep. Mike Rogers of Alabama, who, as committee chairs, supervise defense policy matters pertaining to the Pentagon’s almost $1 trillion annual budget.
Senate Armed Service Committee Chairman Sen. Roger Wicker speaks to reporters following the Senate policy luncheon at the Capitol, Sept. 3, 2025.Kevin Dietsch/Getty Images
U.S. representatives affirmed Wednesday that the Army’s 2nd Infantry Brigade Combat Team of the 101st Airborne Division would go back to its home base in Fort Campbell, Kentucky, without a replacement. Romania’s defense minister, Ionut Mosteanu, mentioned the shift in an announcement, stating that the U.S. intends to decrease force size in NATO’s so-called “Eastern Flank” but would still maintain about 1,000 soldiers in Romania.
“This is not an American departure from Europe or a sign of reduced dedication to NATO and Article 5,” according to a statement from U.S. Army Europe and Africa, referencing the stipulation in the alliance’s treaty that mandates mutual defense.
“Instead, this is a favorable indicator of increased European capability and accountability,” expressed the command responsible for overseeing Army soldiers in Europe and Africa.
Wicker and Rogers directly countered the idea that Europe was prepared to bridge the voids concerning NATO security, observing that it requires duration to develop its defenses and asserting that the action endangers “prompting further Russian hostility.”
“This choice also transmits the incorrect message to Russia precisely as President Trump is applying stress to impel Vladimir Putin to reach the negotiating table to secure a durable peace in Ukraine,” the senators wrote. “The President has it precisely correct: now is the juncture for America to exhibit our determination against Russian aggression. Sadly, the Pentagon’s decision appears uncoordinated and in direct opposition to the President’s strategy.”
Flags of NATO members fly at the NATO headquarters in Brussels, Sept. 12, 2025.Simon Wohlfahrt/AFP via Getty Images
The Defense Department did not promptly acknowledge a request for a response, and it remained uncertain whether Trump was cognizant of the strategy.
A senior NATO military representative, speaking anonymously, conveyed that modifications to force disposition were commonplace in Europe and that the alliance trusts the U.S. and Trump maintain devotion to the alliance.
“Even considering this modification, the U.S. force layout in Europe stays larger than its size for many years,” the NATO representative stated. “There remain significantly more U.S. forces on the continent than before 2022. NATO and U.S. administrations are in intimate communication regarding our overall layout — to guarantee NATO sustains our resilient aptitude to dissuade and safeguard.”
Opposition against the Trump administration by congressional Republicans has been remarkably infrequent throughout the president’s second term, with the president preserving a steadfast hold over the GOP.
Sourse: abcnews.go.com
