Defense &
National Security
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Defense &
National Security
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Trump considers reduction of US troops in Germany |
President Trump said on Wednesday that he is reviewing a possible reduction of U.S. troops in Germany, with the determination to be made over the “next short period of time.”
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“The United States is studying and reviewing the possible reduction of Troops in Germany, with a determination to be made over the next short period of time,” the president wrote in a Truth Social post. “Thank you for your attention to this matter!”
The review of the number of U.S. service members stationed in Germany comes as relations between Washington and Berlin have gone astray in recent weeks.
Trump has hammered German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, arguing he has miscalculated the threat posed by Iran amid the U.S. war against Tehran.
“He doesn’t know what he’s talking about! If Iran had a Nuclear Weapon, the whole World would be held hostage. I am doing something with Iran, right now, that other Nations, or Presidents, should have done long ago,” Trump said Tuesday on Truth Social. “No wonder Germany is doing so poorly, both Economically, and otherwise!”
Previously, Merz has said that the U.S. had been “humiliated” by Iran amid the closure of the Strait of Hormuz.
The U.S. has more than 35,000 troops in Germany and its largest air base located near the city of Ramstein.
The president has questioned NATO’s usefulness after the alliance’s members did not join Washington in its conflict against Iran and European allies are worried the Trump administration could withdraw service members from the continent.
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Welcome to The Hill’s Defense & National Security newsletter, I’m Filip Timotija — your guide to the latest developments at the Pentagon, on Capitol Hill and beyond.
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How policy will affect defense and national security now and in
the future:
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House Democrats came out firing during Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth’s first hearing since the Iran war started, peppering the Pentagon chief with questions on his characterization of the conflict and recent high-profile firings of top military officials. Their Republican counterparts were notably conflict-averse, apart from a couple of supportive comments toward Gen. Randy Goerge, the accomplished Army chief of staff …
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Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth on Wednesday said $400 million in Ukraine support was released after Sen. Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) penned an angry op-ed criticizing the stall in funding. “The department recognizes that $400 million was allocated for European capacity building, and as of yesterday, it has been released,” Hegseth said in response to a question about the aid from Rep. Sarah Elfreth (D-Md.). Elfreth followed …
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Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth sparred with Democrats throughout a House hearing on Wednesday, with tensions flaring over the Iran war, the Pentagon’s whopping $1.5 trillion budget request and his ouster of top military officials. Rep. Chrissy Houlahan (D-Pa.), a former Air Force officer and member of the Armed Services Committee, pressed Hegseth on his firing of Gen. Randy George, the widely respected Army chief of staff. …
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The Pentagon’s acting chief financial officer told members of the House Armed Services Committee on Wednesday that the U.S. war against Iran has cost $25 billion so far. “So approximately, at this day, we’re spending about $25 billion on Operation Epic Fury. Most of that is ammunitions,” Jules Hurst III said in response to a question from ranking member Rep. Adam Smith (D-Wash.) during a hearing on the Pentagon’s $1.5 …
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Upcoming things we’re watching on our beat:
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- The Senate Foreign Relations Committee will hold a hearing tomorrow morning at 10 a.m. ET on "Sabotage in the Baltic Sea, implications for European security, and lessons for the Indo-Pacific."
- The Senate Armed Services Committee will hold a hearing tomorrow at 11 a.m. on “The Department of Defense Budget Request for FY2027 and the Future Years Defense Program."
- The Henry L. Stimson Center will hold a discussion tomorrow at 11 a.m. ET on "A Conversation with H.E. Ambassador Taher El-Sonni: Libya’s Strategic Outlook."
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Branch out with a different read from The Hill:
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House approves reauthorization of warrantless spy powers
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The House on Wednesday approved the renewal of the nation’s warrantless spy powers in a 235-191 vote that cleared the chamber with support from lawmakers on both sides of the aisle. The bill, which would renew Section 702 of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (FISA), still has to clear the …
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News we’ve flagged from other outlets:
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Two key stories on The Hill right now:
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The Virginia Supreme Court will allow a lower court order temporarily blocking the commonwealth from certifying the results of a redistricting referendum … Read more
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A new poll shows President Trump’s approval rating has slipped to the lowest level of his second term, with more Americans pointing toward his … Read more
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Op-eds related to defense & national security submitted to The Hill:
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You’re all caught up. See you tomorrow!
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