Congressional GOP Leaders Warn Trump Against Restructuring NATO Command Role

House and Senate Armed Services chairs oppose potential changes to U.S. military leadership in NATO, citing risks to global deterrence and urging interagency coordination.

• The Trump administration is reportedly considering relinquishing the U.S. role as NATO Supreme Allied Commander Europe (SAUCER), a position held by a U.S. general since 1950.
• Republican Armed Services Committee chairs Mike Rogers and Roger Wicker issued a joint statement opposing any unilateral changes to military command structures without Congressional and interagency input.
• The lawmakers warned that such changes could undermine global deterrence, weaken U.S. negotiating positions with adversaries, and erode NATO allies' confidence in American commitments.
• The current NATO Supreme Allied Commander Europe, General Christopher G. Cavoli, has been instrumental in coordinating NATO's response to Russia's invasion of Ukraine.
• Congressional leaders signaled they could use legislative tools, including budgetary controls, to block any unilateral moves by the Trump administration to restructure military commands.

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