Cheney blasts Trump move to draw down troops in Germany: ‘Dangerously misguided’

Rep. Liz Cheney (R-Wyo.) slammed President Trump’s decision to draw down troops in Germany, warning the decision was “dangerously misguided.”

“This is a dangerously misguided policy. If the United States abandons allies, withdraws our forces, and retreats within our borders, the cause of freedom—on which our nation was founded & our security depends—will be in peril,” Cheney, the No. 3 Republican in the House and a top foreign policy hawk, tweeted Saturday.

This is a dangerously misguided policy. If the United States abandons allies, withdraws our forces, and retreats within our borders, the cause of freedom—on which our nation was founded & our security depends—will be in peril. https://t.co/AGViEJRvTP

— Liz Cheney (@Liz_Cheney) June 6, 2020

The rebuke comes after Trump directed the Pentagon to send 9,500 troops home from Germany, which would bring the total stationed there down to 25,000.

A defense official told The Wall Street Journal the plan, which was ordered by national security adviser Robert O’Brien, has been underway since September and is not related to rising tensions between Trump and German Chancellor Angela Merkel.

“The United States remains committed to working with our strong ally Germany to ensure our mutual defense, as well as on many other important issues,” said National Security Council spokesman John Ullyot.

Democrats have come out in force against the withdrawal, saying it could further strain relations with Berlin and pave the way for Russian President Vladimir Putin to have more sway in Europe. 

“This order is petty and preposterous. It’s another favor to Putin and another leadership failure by this Administration that further strains relations with our allies,” Sen. Jack Reed (D-R.I.), the ranking member of the Senate Armed Services Committee, said in a statement.

“Vladimir Putin must be delighted that the American president is gutting our own deterrent against Russian aggression in Europe. And the President’s insulting dismissal of one of our most important relationships because of a personal vendetta confirms that he lacks moral leadership, respect for our allies, and understanding of our national security interests,” added Rep. Eliot Engel (D-N.Y.), the chairman of the House Foreign Affairs Committee.