Trump Threatens Troop Cuts in Germany, Italy and Spain
Trump said a decision will be made "over the next short period of time," with about 36,400–36,436 active-duty US troops based in Germany as of December 2025.
MEDIAitePentagon Reportedly Blindsided by Trump’s Call To Reduce U.S. Troops in Europe
Raw StoryFurious US ally pleads for 'adults' in DC as Trump blindsides them with troop pullout
Epoch TimesTrump Says He May Consider Withdrawing Troops From Italy, Spain
Military TimesTrump says ‘probably’ when asked if he might pull US troops out of Italy, Spain
Overview
President Donald Trump said the United States is "studying and reviewing" a possible reduction of troops in Germany and said he would "probably" consider pulling troops out of Italy and Spain, Trump said.
The moves come amid a spat over the U.S.-led war in Iran, allied refusals to let U.S. forces use some bases and the closure of the Strait of Hormuz on February 28, according to reports.
Pentagon officials said they were blindsided by Trump's announcement, a Pentagon spokesperson said the department plans for every scenario, and German officials expressed outrage and pleaded for "adults" in Washington.
U.S. Defense Manpower Data Center data showed just over 68,000 active-duty U.S. personnel permanently in Europe as of December 2025, with roughly 36,400–36,436 in Germany, about 12,000–12,600 in Italy and about 3,800 in Spain.
Trump said a determination would be made "over the next short period of time," while European officials have discussed reopening the Strait of Hormuz without U.S. leadership and Pentagon officials scramble to assess next steps.
Analysis
Center-leaning sources frame the story skeptically, using colloquial and evaluative language ("got cranky," "attack on NATO"), foregrounding a pattern of Trump inconsistency, and juxtaposing his ceasefire claim with context and a Kremlin comment. Editorial choices emphasize doubt about feasibility and portray Trump as confrontational toward allies while preserving source quotes.