Trump announces major US troop cut in 'delinquent' Germany

[Judi Lynn]

Last edited Tue Jun 16, 2020, 05:58 AM - Edit history (1)

Source: Associated Press

June 16 2020 09:22:00

WASHINGTON-The Associated Press

President Donald Trump said on June 15 he is ordering a major reduction in U.S. troop strength in Germany, a move widely criticized by members of his own party as a gift to Russia and a threat to U.S. national security.

"We're putting the number down to 25,000 soldiers,'' Trump said at the White House.

The U.S. currently has about 34,500 troops in Germany far fewer than during the Cold War, when Germany was the central focus of American and NATO efforts to deter invasion by the former Soviet Union. In recent decades, Germany has hosted key American military facilities and provided a transit point for troops deploying to and from the Middle East, including during years of conflict in Iraq.

Trump faulted Germany for failing to pay enough for its own defense, calling the long-time NATO ally "delinquent."

Read more: https://www.hurriyetdailynews.com/trump-announces-major-us-troop-cut-in-delinquent-germany-155696

[denbot]

1. I have no words..

.

[msongs]

2. revenge against merkel, a strong woman nt

[BigmanPigman]

4. Exactly.

I HATE him!

[irisblue]

5. Yep

[SunSeeker]

3. Putin called in a favor.

[Botany]

6. Trump, " ... calling the long-time NATO ally "delinquent."

100% Russia/Putin talking point. Trump was installed by Putin to weaken the U.S. and NATO.

Trump is a working Russian asset in the White House. End of story.

[Roy Rolling]

7. Recall Him to Mother Russia

Send him home.

[BComplex]

13. This post is absolutely true, and he should be tried for treason against the USA

And suffer the consequences stated in the constitution.

[Botany]

16. These orders came right from Vlad Daddy. He owns Trump.

This is sicking. How many times a week is Trump on the phone with Vlad?

[ripcord]

30. People have short memories

They forget that is was also an Obama talking point “If we’ve got collective defense, it means that everybody’s got to chip in, and I have had some concerns about a diminished level of defense spending among some of our partners in NATO. Not all, but many,”.

[secondwind]

8. The man who doesn't pay his bills, and cons people out of money

has the gall to call an ally “delinquent

[DFW]

9. That'll show all them delinquent American troops in the Middle East and beyond

You think you have a safe base for medical emergencies, restocking and refueling, fully manned and financially supported by your government in Washington? Hah! Moscow Mitch and Donetsk Donnie have other plans--and Fox noise will swear they "support our troops," so suck it up! I wonder how many of our C-130 planes can fly nonstop from Diego Garcia to Dover?

From Ramstein to Rammitupyerass. Vladimir Vladimirovitch scores again.

[BigOleDummy]

10. There will be more

There will be more things like this coming soon too I would bet. This does nothing NOTHING for our national security. It's a Putin inspired (and probably directed) slap in the face of both our allies and our military. Not only is he "getting back" at Germany and Ms. Merkel but the Generals who have stood up to him. He knows he's running out of time as does Putin and will do more to defang NATO and our OWN military before its over. Expect more weakening in the coming months.

I wonder how his number 2 and 3 lapdogs will take this? Lindsey and Mitch btw if you needed clarification. Lindsey will find it a bit harder to sweep this under the rug down in S.C. as there are a LOT of retired military in his state. He's in a tighter than expected reelection too.

[Jersey Devlin]

11. November 3 2020 America Announces Major Cut in Treasonous Blowhards

[jaxexpat]

12. Well, there goes the "New American Century" project.

Must come up with a new American hobby. Oh Yeah, Space Force. What could go wrong?

[BComplex]

14. That rang a bell. Remind me again what that was about?

[jaxexpat]

18. Neo-cons, "conservative" takeover of US and then the world

Plan which saw greatest fruit in...….well, now. I guess. {Except, I think Trump and tea party have jumped the shark. Stay tuned.) Became part of the lexicon when Shrub was installed.

[BComplex]

25. I remember it now. All that crap about military buildup and military might

and expanded bases. Enough to make a sane person puke.

Yep. I remember it now. Thanks.

[The Blue Flower]

15. The Putin bucket list before drumpf is kicked out of the WH

There will be more destruction of America and the West originating from the WH before next January.

[Lonestarblue]

17. I hope the military slow walks this order since it will be rescinded next January.

[soothsayer]

19. Funny thing is, they're not delinquent

Link to tweet

?s=21

For the umtpeenth time, Germany does not owe NATO any money. There's a guideline on percent of GDP a country is expected to spend on the military they are supposed to meet by (checks notes) 2024

Link to tweet

?s=21

In 2020 Germany pays 14.8% of NATO costs and in 2021 it will pay 16.35% - the same amount as the U.S.

2% of the GDP is the goal for the NATIONAL Defence expenditure.

[Botany]

20. And how many of our wounded troops get medical help @ Ramstein Air Base in Germany?

Facts mean little to Trump. Saying Germany is paying its fair share to NATO has been a
Russian talking point for years.

Link to tweet

thanx for the tweets /BTW what do those guys know anyway? one is the head editor/chief writer @ the
Washington Post and the other is a Northwestern Grad, a Fulbright winner, and past President of the
White House Correspondents Assoc.

[ripcord]

35. Why can't European nations keep their word?

Are they trying to compete with Trump?

[kacekwl]

21. How many "gifts" to Russia is that ?

He must REALLY love 💘 Russia.

[UCmeNdc]

22. Putin will demand this from Trump before the election.

In return Putin will help Trump and his cronies get re-elected.

Watch! Drawdown completed before the election!

[keithbvadu2]

23. Putting money into Trump was the best investment Putin ever made

[wolfie001]

24. Even better than that gold-bricked.....

.....short road to Sochi built with oligarch crony $. Ha ha.

[mahina]

26. It's a 4 way win so why wouldn't he? Never mind that it fucks us.

Vladimir is happy, he can upset Merkel, he can deflect the term delinquent, mess with our troops, Assert his power, and hype his bullshit narrative. That’s 6.

So what if he upends international security.
Predictable.

[dalton99a]

27. Checking off another item on his to-do list from Putin

[LastLiberal in PalmSprings]

28. Three images of Donald J. Trump.

How he sees himself:



How the rest of the world sees him:



How Putin sees him:

[ripcord]

29. With all this

Germany is still the only one violating the NATO treaty, President Obama called for all NATO allies to pay their fair share, the treaty was never meant to subsidize Europe's military budgets. Why doesn't Germany just keep their word and live up to their obligations?

[ancianita]

31. Agree. They're the bedrock of NATO & the EU, so they should show it. Still, Trump is a vicious ally.

[ripcord]

33. There is no doubt Trump is horrible

But the U.S. is still going far beyond its treaty obligations, Europe can at least meet the minimums.

[Botany]

32. For the umtpeenth time, Germany does not owe NATO any money.

Link to tweet

[ripcord]

34. They don't owe money

But neither are they meeting their obligations, if everyone expects the U.S. to go far beyond their obligations why can't Europe do their part?

[ancianita]

36. I don't know about your sources, but I did a fact check and you're right. Thanks.