Chairs of the Senate and House Armed Services Committees oppose vacating NATO command and canceling expansion in the Pacific.
House Armed Services Committee Chairman Mike Rogers and Senate Armed Services Committee Chairman Roger Wicker expressed concerns about reports suggesting President Trump may alter U.S. military strategy. Media outlets reported that the president is considering canceling the expansion of U.S. Forces Japan and eliminating the role of NATO Supreme Allied Commander Europe.
The legislators issued a joint statement, saying, “U.S. combatant commands are the tip of the American warfighting spear. Therefore, we are very concerned about reports that claim DoD is considering unilateral changes on major strategic issues, including significant reductions to U.S. forces stationed abroad, absent coordination with the White House and Congress.”
While stating that they “support President Trump’s efforts to ensure our allies and partners increase their contributions” to strengthen NATO, they said they would “not accept significant changes to our warfighting structure that are made without a rigorous interagency process, coordination with combatant commanders and the Joint Staff, and collaboration with Congress.”
They concluded, “Such moves risk undermining American deterrence around the globe and detracting from our negotiating positions with America’s adversaries.”
As the Lord Leads, Pray with Us…
- For Senator Wicker and Representative Rogers as they head their respective committees.
- For the president and his military advisors as they evaluate ways to trim the Defense Department and make it more effective.
Sources: Military Times, Huff Post
