WASHINGTON (TNND) — Rep. Mike Rogers, R-Ala., and Sen. Rodger Wicker, R-Miss., on Wednesday cautioned President Donald Trump against withdrawing from NATO’s Supreme Allied Commander Europe (SACEUR), warning he decision would lead to major shakeups through the Department of Defense.
Command of all NATO operations in Europe has historically been the responsibility of an American four-star general, stemming back to General Dwight D. Eisenhower, who would later become president. NBC News reported Tuesday, however, that Trump may be considering a move to relinquish that post, which the outlet wrote could lead to “a major symbolic shift in the balance of power in NATO.”
The lawmakers, who each chair their respective congressional chamber’s Armed Service Committee, warned Trump against such a decision in a press release.
“U.S. combatant commands are the tip of the American warfighting spear,” they wrote. “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.”
“As such, we will 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,” the lawmakers added. “Such moves risk undermining American deterrence around the globe and detracting from our negotiating positions with America’s adversaries.”
The announcement comes as Trump and U.S. allies are fighting to negotiate a ceasefire in Ukraine. Trump on Wednesday spoke with Russian President Vladimir Putin, which the White House said resulted in both sides having “agreed this conflict needs to end with a lasting peace.”
Trump also held a call with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy Wednesday to fill him in on the details of his talk with Putin.
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