All posts tagged: drawdown

German chancellor downplays row with Trump after troop drawdown announced

German chancellor downplays row with Trump after troop drawdown announced

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz said he must accept that President Donald Trump does not share his opinions in order to work with the United ​States within NATO, ‌but stressed there was no link between their rift and ⁠a planned troop drawdown. Merz dismissed suggestions that his criticism of U.S. war planning in Iran had sparked Washington’s ‌Friday announcement that the U.S. would reduce its military presence in Germany, ⁠its largest European base, by 5,000 soldiers, and repeated his commitment to the transatlantic alliance. FRANCE 24’s International Affairs Editor Philip Turle tells us more. Source link

Germany’s Merz downplays rift with Washington despite US troop drawdown | Politics News

Germany’s Merz downplays rift with Washington despite US troop drawdown | Politics News

German chancellor says criticism of Donald Trump’s strategy in Iran unrelated to troop withdrawal announcement. Published On 3 May 20263 May 2026 German Chancellor Friedrich Merz has tried to downplay tensions with the United States after Washington announced plans to reduce the number of American troops in Germany. Merz said on Sunday that US plans to withdraw troops have “no connection” to the rift with President Donald Trump over his strategy in Iran. Recommended Stories list of 3 itemsend of list “I remain convinced that the Americans are the most important partner for us in the North Atlantic Alliance (NATO),” Merz told broadcaster ARD in an interview set to be fully aired later. Trouble started last Monday when Merz appeared to criticise Trump’s actions in Iran, where the US and Israel started a war without consulting Washington’s NATO allies. Iran was “humiliating” the US, Merz said, warning that Washington did not have a clear path out of the conflict. Foreign Affairs Minister Johann Wadephul later tried to walk back the comments, saying that Merz was …

Tom Homan Announces 700-Agent Drawdown As Minnesota Counties Begin Cooperating With ICE

Tom Homan Announces 700-Agent Drawdown As Minnesota Counties Begin Cooperating With ICE

Border czar Tom Homan revealed moments ago at a press conference in Minneapolis that an unprecedented number of counties are now coordinating with federal authorities and allowing ICE to take custody of illegal aliens before they reach the streets. As a result, Homan noted, fewer federal agents are needed in the metro area. “We currently have an unprecedented number of [Minnesota] counties communicating with us now and allowing ICE to take custody of illegal aliens before they hit the streets,” Homan said. MASSIVE: Border Czar Tom Homan: “We currently have an unprecedented number of [Minnesota] counties communicating with us now and allowing ICE to take custody of illegal aliens before they hit the streets.” pic.twitter.com/AGGASjS0gd — RedWave Press (@RedWave_Press) February 4, 2026 Homan continued, “I have announced that, effective immediately, we will draw down 700 people effective today. 700 law enforcement personnel.” Tom Homan: “I have announced effective immediately, we will draw down 700 people effective today. 700 law enforcement personnel.” pic.twitter.com/Vbylc3iIBd — CSPAN (@cspan) February 4, 2026 At the end of last week, Homan …

ICE and CBP crafting drawdown plan in Minnesota

ICE and CBP crafting drawdown plan in Minnesota

Border czar Tom Homan speaks during a news conference about ongoing immigration enforcement operations, in Minneapolis, Jan. 29, 2026. Scott Olson | Getty Images U.S. border czar Tom Homan on Thursday said federal immigration enforcement agencies are working on a plan to reduce their massive presence in Minnesota, while broadly acknowledging problems with the Trump administration’s activities there. “I’m not here because the federal government has carried its mission out perfectly,” Homan said at a press conference in Minneapolis, where an aggressive surge in federal deportation efforts has stoked major civil unrest. Homan said he and President Donald Trump, “along with others in the administration, have recognized that certain improvements could and should be made.” Trump on Monday sent Homan to Minneapolis to manage U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s operations. The announcement came two days after federal agents killed a second U.S. citizen, Alex Pretti, in the city during altercations that were caught on camera. Homan on Thursday said he is in conversation with state and local officials, including Gov. Tim Walz and Minneapolis Mayor …