WASHINGTON — The head of the Senate Armed Services Committee has taken a strong stance against what he perceives as flawed intentions by certain Pentagon leaders to diminish the U.S. military presence in Europe. However, the Defense Department has not revealed any such plans officially.
Senator Roger Wicker, representing Mississippi, voiced his concerns during a session that included leaders from the U.S. European Command and the U.S. Africa Command. “There are individuals advocating for a significant reduction of our military forces in Europe,” Wicker stated. “Such views are deeply misguided and present a potential risk. The fact that some mid-level officials within the Defense Department are considering this retreat is troubling, especially as they often bypass collaboration with the secretary of defense.”
Wicker did not specify who these “mid-level bureaucrats” are, leaving some uncertainty about his references.
Since the onset of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, the presence of U.S. troops in Europe has expanded by roughly 20,000 under the leadership of Democratic President Joe Biden. These forces have assisted with training operations, logistics involving arms shipments, and have served as a reassuring presence to NATO allies situated along the eastern territory that the U.S. stands ready to defend them.
Currently, around 100,000 U.S. soldiers are stationed in Europe, including the Navy’s 6th Fleet and nuclear capabilities, thereby ensuring that NATO maintains a credible deterrent stance against Russian aggression.
NATO members have voiced apprehensions about potential downsizing of American forces or diminishing support in Europe. Secretary of State Marco Rubio is presently in Brussels, reaffirming to NATO allies the strong commitment of the United States to the alliance under Republican President Donald Trump’s administration.
These assurances were cast into doubt when Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth, during his inaugural visit to NATO and the Ukraine Defense Contact Group in February, indicated that the U.S. would reevaluate troop deployments, potentially shifting more focus toward China.
Meanwhile, President Trump has attempted to negotiate a peace agreement between Russia and Ukraine, although such diplomatic efforts have yet to yield substantial outcomes.