WATCH: Trump ‘probably’ considering pulling U.S. troops out of Italy, Spain
President Donald Trump on Thursday said he is considering removing U.S. military troops from Italy and Spain, due to the country’s lack of assistance during the Iran military conflict.
Trump, in the Oval Office, told The Center Square’s Sarah Roderick-Fitch he was “probably” considering removing U.S. military troops.
“Why shouldn’t I?” Trump asked. “Italy has not been of any help to us and Spain has been horrible, absolutely horrible.”
On Wednesday, Trump suggested reducing the number of U.S. forces in Germany over issues with NATO and the conflict in Iran.
“The United States is studying and reviewing the possible reduction of troops in Germany, with a determination to be made over the next short period of time,” he wrote on social media.
Trump criticized NATO in his remarks about Spain and Italy. He said the U.S. provided assistance during the war in Ukraine even though “we were an ocean away.”
“But when we needed them, they were not there,” Trump said. “We have to remember that.”
Trump said he asked leaders in Spain and Italy for help opening the Strait of Hormuz but they refused.
“The amazing thing is, they use the Strait of Hormuz,” Trump said. “We don’t use it. We don’t need it.”
The U.S. has more than 68,000 active-duty military assigned permanently to military bases in Europe, according to the U.S. Defense Manpower Data Center. About 36,400 are based in Germany.
Trump also further criticized German Chancellor Friedrich Merz.
“He’s doing a terrible job. He’s got immigration problems, he’s got energy problems, he’s got problems of all kinds and he’s got a big problem with Ukraine,” Trump said.
Trump reiterated his goal in Iran was to prevent the country from obtaining a nuclear weapon.
“If you agree they can’t have a nuclear weapon, then what I did has been executed perfectly, because our military has decimated them,” Trump said.
Showers And Thunderstorms Likely
Latest News Stories
Frankfort Fire Board Devotes Over 11 Hours to Private Fire Chief Search Meetings
Frankfort 157-C Board Directs Administration to Pursue 4.39% Tax Levy Increase
Frankfort Park District to Pursue Referendum for $25-29 Million Indoor Recreation Center
Frankfort Square Park District Board Approves 25% Increase in Proposed Tax Levy
War Department, VA have highest number of unresolved audit recommendations
Nearly 550 truck drivers cited for not understanding English in Illinois YTD
Envelopes with white powder sent to two Texas ICE offices, no public threat
Georgia GOP thanks Greene; Trump says she ‘went bad’
Texas governor, members of Congress lead effort to ban Sharia law in US
California loses one taxpayer per minute, Florida gains
Meeting Summary and Briefs: Will County Board Executive Committee for November 13, 2025
SCOTUS issues stay in Texas redistricting case
