Trump approves withdrawal of 9,500 U.S. troops from Germany, reducing force ceiling to 25,000

President Donald Trump approves a plan on June 30, 2020, to withdraw 9,500 of the 34,500 U.S. troops stationed in Germany, reducing the total force ceiling to 25,000. Defense Secretary Mark Esper announces some troops will redeploy to Belgium, Italy, and other NATO allies while others return home. Trump says Germany hasn't met its NATO spending obligations, calling the reduction punishment for a country that is "delinquent." Bipartisan Senate critics and former military commanders warn the withdrawal weakens deterrence against Russia and damages alliance credibility.