President Donald Trump has reversed Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth's decision to cancel the deployment of 5,000 US troops to Poland, following a controversy that sparked criticism from lawmakers and allies. Trump announced on Truth Social that the troops would be sent, citing the election of President Karol Nawrocki, who is aligned with Poland's right-wing Law and Justice party.
The reversal came after Hegseth's Pentagon had ordered a halt to the planned rotation of the 2nd Armored Brigade Combat Team of the 1st Cavalry Division to a US base in Poland. That decision was part of a broader move to withdraw 5,000 US personnel from Germany in response to Chancellor Friedrich Merz's criticism of US handling of the war with Iran.
The cancellation drew bipartisan criticism in Congress, with lawmakers expressing surprise and frustration over the lack of consultation. Representative Mike Rogers, chair of the House Armed Services Committee, said his committee was 'not happy' about the decision. Poland, which has the highest defence budget in Europe as a percentage of GDP, had not criticised the US over Iran.
Vice President J.D. Vance downplayed the controversy, calling it 'a very small and very minor thing' and accusing European media of overreacting. He insisted that the move was merely a delay, not a reduction in troop levels. However, days later, Trump reportedly overruled Hegseth in a phone call, telling the defence secretary that the US should not mistreat a strong ally like Poland.
White House deputy press secretary Anna Kelly stated that Trump 'appreciates all the secretary has done' in executing the America First agenda, while Pentagon spokesperson Sean Parnell insisted that Trump and Hegseth are 'in lockstep' on troop movements in Europe.
