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A splinter group of US lawmakers is threatening to derail an $88 billion (€77 billion) Iran war spending bill unless American troops are returned to Poland, escalating tensions between defense hawks and the Trump administration over US force levels in Europe.
Led by frequent Trump critic Republican Don Bacon, the group is pressing the White House to follow through on its plan to replace 4,200 American troops abruptly pulled out of Poland in May, Politico reported.
„We had five brigades, and we’re three now,“ Bacon said. „It’s unsatisfactory. … If they want my support on the supplemental, they better come up and address it,“ he added.
„I stand with Don,“ said Republican Brian Fitzpatrick, adding concerns about what he described as shifts away from „unquestionable policy“ on European force deployments.
President Donald Trump said he would send an additional 5,000 troops to Poland. Photo: Klaudia Radecka/NurPhoto via Getty
The dispute was triggered after the abrupt cancellation of a planned deployment of 4,200 Army soldiers to Poland last month, catching Polish officials off guard and drawing bipartisan criticism from lawmakers.
Days later, President Donald Trump said he would send an additional 5,000 troops to Poland, traditionally one of America’s closest allies in Europe, citing his close ties with nationalist Polish President Karol Nawrocki.
However, those troops have yet to be deployed.
Republican Joe Wilson expressed cautious optimism, saying, „I think it’s going to come through,“ referring to the hope that the standoff can be resolved.
The disagreement reflects broader frustration in Congress over shifting Pentagon strategy in Europe, as the administration pushes NATO allies to take on more responsibility for their own defense.
