U.S. Army Plans Elimination Of 90,000 Troops As Trump Administration Deepens Cuts

The U.S. Army is considering a dramatic reduction of up to 90,000 active-duty troops, potentially shrinking its force to as low as 360,000 troops—a move that would represent one of the most significant cutbacks in decades. The potential downsizing comes amid growing fiscal pressure at the Pentagon and a reorientation of military strategy away from long-standing counterterrorism and European deterrence missions.

Currently, at around 450,000 active-duty troops, the Army is reportedly reviewing force levels between 360,000 and 420,000. The proposed cuts follow a directive from Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth to reduce the Pentagon’s overall budget by 8%. Hegseth has also targeted climate initiatives and so-called “woke” policies, though such efforts are unlikely to yield significant savings compared to reductions in personnel. 

Hegseth was recently criticized for bringing his wife to sensitive meetings with NATO allies.

The Army continues to juggle global demands, from counterterrorism missions in Africa and the Middle East to reinforcing NATO’s posture in Eastern Europe. As strategic priorities shift, military planners are considering how to reshape the Army into a more agile force. 

Some officials warn that reducing troop numbers without a solid retention plan could deepen recruiting challenges. Although the Army has recently recovered from a recruitment slump, losing positions could reverse those gains.

Sen. Roger Wicker (R-Mississippi) has raised alarms over potential drawbacks in Europe, calling them “misguided” and accusing Pentagon staff of acting without proper coordination. In a hearing with the U.S. European Command and the U.S. Africa Command, he said, “There are some who believe now is the time to drastically reduce our military footprint in Europe. I’m troubled at those deeply misguided and dangerous views held by some midlevel bureaucrats within the Defense Department.” 

The Army has not provided details on exactly how the potential cuts would be made, and it is unclear whether the cuts will extend to the Army Reserve or the National Guard.