Defense Secretary Hegseth cancels 4,000-troop Poland deployment without Pentagon or congressional notice

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth unilaterally canceled the scheduled deployment of the 2nd Armored Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division to Poland on May 14, 2026, halting a nine-month NATO rotation of more than 4,000 soldiers. Pentagon officials said they had no advance warning, and some personnel already in transit were ordered to return to Fort Cavazos, Texas. House Armed Services Committee Chairman Mike Rogers cited the lack of legally required congressional consultation under NDAA Section 1249. The cancellation came two weeks after Hegseth withdrew 5,000 troops from Germany.