REPORTER: “Why is the US removing troops from Germany?”
PRESIDENT TRUMP: “We’re going to cut way down, and we’re cutting a lot further than 5,000.” pic.twitter.com/7PK9g1Bgax
— Fox News (@FoxNews) May 2, 2026
Donald Trump has repeated and increased his threat to pull more American troops out of Germany:
Trump says US will withdraw ‘a lot’ more troops from Germany
3 May 2026
US President Donald Trump has said that the US will be withdrawing “a lot” more of its troops from Germany than the 5,000 announced on Saturday.
On Friday, the US military said it would pull around 5,000 troops out of Germany amid a rift between the countries over the US war against Iran. The announcement came days after German Chancellor Friedrich Merz said Iran was humiliating the US during the negotiations.
When asked about the decision, Trump told reporters: “We’re going to cut way down, and we’re cutting a lot further than 5,000.”
Trump said on Wednesday that he was considering withdrawing troops from European countries, which he said were not doing enough to assist with the war on Iran. https://www.middleeasteye.net/live-blog/live-blog-update/trump-says-us-withdrawing-lot-more-troops-germany-5000-announced
When I reported about this idea a few days ago, I posted the following:
Statements from Donald Trump continue to push Germany to become a major military power again. This is one of the many unintended consequences of Donald Trump’s presidency. (Thiel B. Trump threatens USA troop reduction in Germany, while Germany is shifting towards becoming Europe’s military power again. COGwriter, April 30, 2026)
Now notice some comments from the European press:
Trump says cutting US troops in Germany ‘a lot further’
3 May 2026
“We’re going to cut way down and we’re cutting a lot further than 5,000,” Trump told reporters in Florida on Saturday.
A spokesperson for the Defense Department said the withdrawal would be completed in the next six to 12 months.
As part of the decision, a Biden-era plan to deploy a US battalion with long-range Tomahawk missiles to Germany has also been scrapped.
The announcement came after a public spat between German Chancellor Friedrich Merz and Trump earlier in the week. Merz questioned Washington’s exit strategy in the Middle East and said Iran was “humiliating” the US at the negotiating table, prompting an angry response from Trump. …
How did Germany respond?
German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius said Saturday the partial drawdown was expected and that Europe needed to take on more responsibility for its own security.
He also said “Germany is on the right track” by seeking to expand its armed forces, speed up military procurement and build more infrastructure. https://www.dw.com/en/trump-says-cutting-us-troops-in-germany-a-lot-further/a-77022292
Europe pushes back as Trump hits out over Iran and US troops
2 May 2026
After the German chancellor criticized the war in Iran, Donald Trump fired back and ordered a US troop withdrawal. Europe is weighing the advantages and disadvantages of taking a tougher line on Trump. https://www.dw.com/en/europe-pushes-back-as-trump-hits-out-over-iran-and-us-troops/video-77017812
Trump indicated without sharing details that a substantial further reduction of US troop presence in Germany was imminent, just a day after the Pentagon announced a withdrawal of 5,000 soldiers. Trump has also threatened earlier in the week to rollback troops in Spain and Italy.
3 May 2026 …
Trump’s decision comes as he seethes at European allies over their unwillingness to join his campaign with Israel against Iran. He has lashed out at leaders like Merz, Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez and British Prime Minister Keir Starmer.
Merz last week criticised the war in Iran, saying the US is being “humiliated” by the Iranian leadership and called out Washington’s lack of strategy, clearly defined objectives and exit plans. …
In another sign of friction, Trump accused the European Union of not complying with its US trade deal and announced plans to increase tariffs next week on cars and trucks produced in the bloc to 25%, a move that would be particularly damaging to Germany, a major automobile manufacturer.
The response from Brussels was swift with the European Parliament’s trade committee chair Bernd Lange calling the move “unacceptable” and accusing Trump of breaking yet another US commitment on trade. He also called Washington an “unreliable” trading partner. https://www.euronews.com/2026/05/03/trump-says-us-will-reduce-troop-presence-in-germany-a-lot-further-than-initial-5000-withdr
The fact is that Donald Trump continues to offend the Europeans.
Unintended consequences have been that the Europeans are making trade deals with others that they otherwise would likely not have done by now (e.g. see Mercosur agreement goes into effect: Another COGwriter prediction confirmed!; watch also The Europeans Increasing Trade Presence) as well as concluding that Europe needs a stronger independent military.
While many EU leaders have long wanted Europe to be independent of the United States in many ways, they also needed more support from the public to do so.
Donald Trump’s public statements, along with some others in his Administration, combined with numerous policies, are convincing more of the general public in Europe to distance themselves from the USA, as well as to support policies out of Brussels that help do that.
Europe is concluding it must take stronger military steps.
That is consistent with number 18 of my list of 26 items to prophetically watch in 2026:
18. Europe Will Have a Great Army and Many Ships
The Bible prophesies that Europe will have a great army:
25 “He shall stir up his power and his courage against the king of the South with a great army. (Daniel 11:25)
At the time of the end the king of the South shall attack him; and the king of the North shall come against him like a whirlwind, with chariots, horsemen, and with many ships. (Daniel 11:40)
A Trump-Vance Administration has upset, encouraged, and pushed Europe in the direction of increased militarization. …
Now let’s notice what the Bible shows Europe’s military will do:
5 “Woe to Assyria, the rod of My anger And the staff in whose hand is My indignation. 6 I will send him against an ungodly nation, And against the people of My wrath I will give him charge, To seize the spoil, to take the prey, And to tread them down like the mire of the streets. 7 Yet he does not mean so, Nor does his heart think so; But it is in his heart to destroy, And cut off not a few nations. … 12 Therefore it shall come to pass, when the Lord has performed all His work on Mount Zion and on Jerusalem, that He will say, “I will punish the fruit of the arrogant heart of the king of Assyria, and the glory of his haughty looks.”(Isaiah 10:5-7,12).
39 Thus he shall act against the strongest fortresses with a foreign god, which he shall acknowledge, and advance its glory; and he shall cause them to rule over many, and divide the land for gain. (Daniel 11:39)
In the 21st century, it is the USA with the strongest fortresses. The power with the strongest fortresses will be taken over by the European Beast power. Technology, as well as deception, will be factors in the military takeover of the USA. This will cause the world to marvel.
3 And I saw one of his heads as if it had been mortally wounded, and his deadly wound was healed. And all the world marveled and followed the beast. 4 So they worshiped the dragon who gave authority to the beast; and they worshiped the beast, saying, “Who is like the beast? Who is able to make war with him?” (Revelation 13:3-4)
People will be shocked when Europe shows it is a militarily successful power. It is now taking steps that will lead to the fulfillment of various warring prophecies.
Europe will increase its military capabilities.
There have been, and will be, many unintended consequences of the Trump-Vance Administration.
Some items of possibly related interest may include:
26 items to prophetically watch in 2026 Much is happening. Dr. Thiel points to 26 items to watch (cf. Mark 13:37) in this article. Here is a link to a related sermon: 26 Items to Watch in 2026.
Europa, the Beast, and Revelation Where did Europe get its name? What might Europe have to do with the Book of Revelation? What about “the Beast”? Is an emerging European power “the daughter of Babylon”? What is ahead for Europe? Here is are links to related videos: European history and the Bible, Europe In Prophecy, The End of European Babylon, and Can You Prove that the Beast to Come is European? Here is a link to a related sermon in the Spanish language: El Fin de la Babilonia Europea.
The European Union and the Seven Kings of Revelation 17 Could the European Union be the sixth king that now is, but is not? Here is a link to the related sermon video: European Union & 7 Kings of Revelation 17:10.
Must the Ten Kings of Revelation 17:12 Rule over Ten Currently Existing Nations? Some claim that these passages refer to a gathering of 10 currently existing nations together, while one group teaches that this is referring to 11 nations getting together. Is that what Revelation 17:12-13 refers to? The ramifications of misunderstanding this are enormous. Here is a link to a related sermon in the Spanish language: ¿Deben los Diez Reyes gobernar sobre diez naciones? A related sermon in the English language is titled: Ten Kings of Revelation and the Great Tribulation.
European Technology and the Beast of Revelation Will the coming European Beast power would use and develop technology that will result in the taking over of the USA and its Anglo-Saxon allies? Is this possible? What does the Bible teach? Here is a related YouTube video: Military Technology and the Beast of Revelation.
The Large Hadron Collider has Military Potential Some say this European project is only peaceful. So why is it working on capturing antimatter? Here is a link to a related video: Could the Large Hadron Collider lead to destruction?
USA in Prophecy: The Strongest Fortresses Can you point to scriptures, like Daniel 11:39, that point to the USA in the 21st century? This article does. A related sermon is titled: Do these 7 prophesies point to the end of the USA?
Who is the King of the West? Why is there no Final End-Time King of the West in Bible Prophecy? Is the United States the King of the West? Here is a version in the Spanish language: ¿Quién es el Rey del Occidente? ¿Por qué no hay un Rey del Occidente en la profecía del tiempo del fin? A related sermon is also available: The Bible, the USA, and the King of the West.
Who is the King of the North? Is there one? Do biblical and Roman Catholic prophecies for the Great Monarch point to the same leader? Should he be followed? Who will be the King of the North discussed in Daniel 11? Is a nuclear attack prophesied to happen to the English-speaking peoples of the United States, Great Britain, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand? When do the 1335 days, 1290 days, and 1260 days (the time, times, and half a time) of Daniel 12 begin? When does the Bible show that economic collapse will affect the United States? In the Spanish language check out ¿Quién es el Rey del Norte? Here is a link to a video titled: The Future King of the North.
The Great Monarch: Biblical and Catholic Prophecies Is the ‘Great Monarch’ of Catholic prophecies endorsed or condemned by the Bible? Two sermons of related interest are also available: Great Monarch: Messiah or False Christ? and Great Monarch in 50+ Beast Prophecies.
Germany’s Assyrian Roots Throughout History Are the Germanic peoples descended from Asshur of the Bible? Have there been real Christians in Germanic history? What about the “Holy Roman Empire”? There is also a You-Tube video sermon on this titled Germany’s Biblical Origins.
Germany in Biblical and Catholic Prophecy Does Assyria in the Bible equate to an end time power inhabiting the area of the old Roman Empire? What does prophecy say Germany will do and what does it say will happen to most of the German people? Here is a link to a video Is the USA Pushing Germany to Start WWIII?
Lost Tribes and Prophecies: What will happen to Australia, the British Isles, Canada, Europe, New Zealand and the United States of America? Where did those people come from? Can you totally rely on DNA? Do you really know what will happen to Europe and the English-speaking peoples? What about the peoples of Africa, Asia, South America, and the islands? This free online book provides scriptural, scientific, historical references, and commentary to address those matters. Here are links to related sermons: Lost tribes, the Bible, and DNA; Lost tribes, prophecies, and identifications; 11 Tribes, 144,000, and Multitudes; Israel, Jeremiah, Tea Tephi, and British Royalty; Gentile European Beast; Royal Succession, Samaria, and Prophecies; Asia, Islands, Latin America, Africa, and Armageddon; When Will the End of the Age Come?; Rise of the Prophesied King of the North; Christian Persecution from the Beast; WWIII and the Coming New World Order; and Woes, WWIV, and the Good News of the Kingdom of God.
Donald Trump in Prophecy Prophecy, Donald Trump? Are there prophecies that Donald Trump may fulfill? Are there any prophecies that he has already helped fulfill? Is a Donald Trump presidency proving to be apocalyptic? Three related videos are available: Donald: ‘Trump of God’ or Apocalyptic? and Donald Trump’s Prophetic Presidency and Donald Trump and Unintended Consequences.
Unintended Consequences and Donald Trump’s Presidency: Is Donald Trump Fulfilling Biblical, Islamic, Greco-Roman Catholic, Buddhist, and other America-Related Prophecies? Is Donald Trump going to save the USA or are there going to be many disastrous unintended consequences of his statements and policies? What will happen? This is a free eBook.