U.S. Senator Roger Wicker and U.S. Representative Mike Rogers have expressed concern over reports that the Department of Defense (DoD) may implement significant changes to the United States’ combatant command structure. These potential changes include withdrawing from NATO’s Supreme Allied Commander Europe (SACEUR) command structure and canceling modernization plans for U.S. Forces Japan.
The two chairmen issued a joint statement emphasizing the importance of U.S. combatant commands in global military strategy: “U.S. combatant commands are the tip of the American warfighting spear.” They stressed their unease regarding reports suggesting that these strategic decisions might be made unilaterally by the DoD without coordination with key stakeholders, including the White House and Congress.
Wicker and Rogers reaffirmed their support for President Trump’s initiatives aimed at encouraging allies to increase their contributions to strengthen alliance structures while maintaining America’s leadership role internationally. They cautioned against any substantial alterations to the U.S. warfighting framework that do not undergo a comprehensive interagency process, involve coordination with combatant commanders and the Joint Staff, and include collaboration with Congress.
The statement concluded by warning that such unilateral moves could weaken American deterrence globally and harm negotiation positions with adversaries: “Such moves risk undermining American deterrence around the globe and detracting from our negotiating positions with America’s adversaries.”
