Washington (CNN)President Donald Trump on Monday approved plans to significantly reduce the number of US troops in Germany after being briefed by top Pentagon officials on the move, which was directed by Trump and has drawn bipartisan criticism that it would weaken the US military’s ability to deter Russia. “The Secretary of Defense and Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff briefed the President yesterday on plans to redeploy 9,500 troops from Germany,” Chief Pentagon Spokesman Jonathan Hoffman said in a statement Tuesday, adding that Trump approved the plan. Multiple current and former officials previously told CNN that Defense Secretary Mark Esper, who has avoided criticizing the move publicly, had significant concerns about it. Germany troop withdrawal highlights rising fortunes of two White House allies amid Esper’s isolation Hoffman claimed that “the proposal that was approved not only meets the President’s directive, it will also enhance Russian deterrence, strengthen NATO, reassure Allies, improve US strategic flexibility and U.S. European Command’s operational flexibility, and take care of our service members and their families.” However the plan to cut US forces from Germany, where there are currently some 34,500 personnel, has drawn opposition from both Republican and Democratic lawmakers as well as… Read full this story
- U.S., Turkish officials say Trump's decision on Syria troops was made without consulting national security team, U.S. allies
- Court allows Trump ban on transgender troops in US forces
- Why is Donald Trump pulling out US troops from Syria and has ISIS been defeated?
- US Defence Secretary Jim Mattis resigns just 24 hours after Donald Trump says he will be pulling troops from Syria
- Donald Trump declares victory over ISIS in Syria and ‘plans complete troop withdrawal’ despite 14,000 fanatics still at large
- Trump to withdraw 'significant' troops from Afghanistan
- Is Trump Really Withdrawing US Troops From Syria?
- US government shutdown 'could stretch into New Year' says Trump's acting chief of staff
- Daesh Not Defeated, US Commanders Warned Trump Ahead of Syria Troop Pullout
- Iraqi President Says Trump Didn't Ask for Permission to 'Watch Iran'
Pentagon says Trump has approved plans to cut troops in Germany have 335 words, post on edition.cnn.com at June 30, 2020. This is cached page on VietMaz. If you want remove this page, please contact us.