Lawmakers Criticize Pentagon’s Move to Cut US Troop Rotation Through Eastern Europe

The U.S. Army’s European component said the canceled troop rotation reflects ‘increased European capability and responsibility’ on NATO’s eastern flank.

Sen. Roger Wicker (R-Miss.) attends a press conference following the U.S. Senate Republicans' weekly policy luncheon in Washington, on June 10, 2025. Kent Nishimura/Reuters

WASHINGTON—Lawmakers on both sides of the political aisle have expressed dismay that some U.S. troops have been pulled back from the eastern edge of the NATO alliance space, and they have questioned why they weren’t consulted about the move.

On Oct. 29, Romania’s Defense Ministry was the first to draw attention to a decision to cancel a brigade-sized rotation of U.S. troops through Romania, Bulgaria, Hungary, and Slovakia.