The Pentagon has suspended the deployment of about 4,000 US troops to Poland after the administration announced a reduction of forces in Germany, US officials said. The unit affected is the Army’s 2nd Armored Brigade Combat Team.
Acting Army Chief of Staff General Christopher LaNeve told the House Armed Services Committee that the head of US European Command “received the instructions on the force reduction.” LaNeve said it “made the most sense for that brigade to not do its deployment in theater,” but offered limited further rationale. Secretary of the Army Dan Driscoll told lawmakers the deployment was halted “a couple days ago.”
Members of the committee criticized the move. Democratic Representative Joe Courtney said the decision sends a “horrible message” and warned that allies are watching closely. Republican ranking member Mike Rogers said lawmakers had not been statutorily consulted and expressed frustration at the lack of clarity. Republican Representative Don Bacon said Polish officials were “blindsided,” called the decision “reprehensible,” and described it as “an embarrassment to our country.” Bacon urged the committee to hold Pentagon chief Pete Hegseth accountable.
A Pentagon spokesperson, Joel Valdez, said the withdrawal followed “a comprehensive, multilayered process” and was “not an unexpected, last-minute decision.” Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk said he had received assurances the moves were logistical in nature and would “not directly affect deterrence capabilities and our security.”
The announcement comes amid renewed Russian attacks on Ukraine. Earlier this month, President Trump said the US would pull about 5,000 troops out of Germany. The decision followed public tensions between Trump and German Chancellor Friedrich Merz; Trump criticized Merz and told him to focus on “fixing his broken country.” At a security event in Estonia, Undersecretary of State for Arms Control and International Security Thomas G. DiNanno said the drawdown is documented but stressed that “the US isn’t going anywhere.”
Edited by Sean Sinico