Trump intervened in Hegseth’s decision regarding sending troops to Poland – WSJ
Photo: US President Donald Trump (Getty Images)
US President Donald Trump opposed the decision by Pentagon chief Pete Hegseth to cancel the planned rotation of US troops in Poland, according to The Wall Street Journal.
What is known about the troop dispute
Last week, the US unexpectedly canceled a planned deployment of 4,000 service members to Poland.
On Friday, Trump announced his intention to send troops to Poland after all — this time, 5,000 soldiers.
According to US officials, during a phone call, the president asked the Pentagon chief why the troop deployment had been canceled.
Trump also told Hegseth that the US should not treat Poland poorly, as it is an ally of America with close ties to the White House.
Hegseth’s decision sparked sharp criticism from lawmakers — both Republicans and Democrats. It surprised some officials: criticism of the US strategy in the war with Iran came from Germany, not Poland.
In early May, Trump, in response to remarks by German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, ordered the withdrawal of 5,000 troops from Germany.
The US Department of Defense assured that Trump and Hegseth coordinate decisions regarding military presence.
Pentagon spokesperson Sean Parnell said that US President Donald Trump and Secretary Pete Hegseth are in constant communication and coordinating their actions regarding the movement of US troops in Europe.
What preceded it
Earlier, the US canceled plans to deploy more than 4,000 troops from the 2nd Armored Brigade Combat Team of the 1st Cavalry Division to Poland, along with equipment. Some soldiers had already been in the country, but a full deployment was ultimately not carried out.
The Pentagon insisted that the decision was not "sudden" and was the result of a "complex, multi-layered process." The cancellation took place amid a US Army budget shortfall. Earlier, Poland had itself proposed that the US deploy additional troops near the borders with Russia after the announcement of the withdrawal of the American contingent from Germany.
