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.
Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
Latest News Stories
Advocates worry new law will raise drug prices, harm self-insured businesses
Illinois Quick Hits: Toll burden 5th in U.S.
Complaint: District used tax dollars for referendum campaign
Supreme Court to hear Chicago assault weapons ban challenge
Illinois Quick Hits: Chicago TV crew attacked near lakefront
California Assembly passes $350 billion budget
Fetterman and McCormick voted for bipartisan housing reform. Will Trump sign it?
U.S. Supreme Court to hear asylum, voting, pipeline cases next term
Illinois second in local fines and forfeitures
Report: Taxpayer dollars help nonprofit hospitals pad executive salaries, pay for lawsuits
Over 7 million student loan borrowers have 90 days to switch repayment plans
Pritzker signs 62 new laws, many not in effect until 2027
