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— Pete Hegseth (@PeteHegseth) April 29, 2026

The Trump Administration is looking into more into troop reductions in Germany:

Trump threatens to pull troops from Germany amid feud with Merz
April 30, 2026
US President Donald Trump has said he could withdraw some American troops stationed in Germany amid a public spat with German Chancellor Friedrich Merz over the war in Iran.
“The United States is studying and reviewing the possible reduction of troops in Germany, with a determination to be made in the near term,” Trump wrote on Truth Social on Wednesday.
In 2020, near the end of his first term in office, Trump planned to withdraw around 12,000 of the roughly 36,000 American service members stationed in Germany at the time. Former President Joe Biden later deployed additional troops to Germany, citing the Ukraine conflict. …
Trump has chided European allies for refusing to back the US-Israeli war with Iran and declining to help reopen the Strait of Hormuz, which Tehran closed to “hostile” shipping in February. The conflict has also prompted the president to revive his longstanding criticism of NATO, which he described this month as “a paper tiger.”
Speaking to students at a German school on Monday, Merz argued that the US was being “humiliated” by Iran and that the Trump administration lacked a clear strategy in the conflict. https://www.rt.com/news/639286-trump-germany-troops-merz/

Statements from Donald Trump continue to push Germany to become a major military power again. This is one of the many unintended consequences of Donald Trump’s presidency.

The fact is that Germany is racing towards once again having a powerful military.

Readers sent me a links to the following:

Back to Prussia
More and more German engineering firms opt for defence industry orders, hoping to escape the sector’s collapse. The Hannover Messe features an arms section for the first time. Dedicated military trade fairs now scheduled in Germany.
HANOVER (own report) – The German engineering industry has been plunged into a deep crisis. More and more companies are seeking to save themselves from losses or even bankruptcy by turning to defence production. The trend can be seen at this year’s Hannover Messe, … For the first time the fair featured a dedicated section for companies integrated in military production as suppliers of all types of weapons components. …
From spark plugs to cartridge cases
It is in this situation that numerous engineering firms are pinning their hopes on defence industry orders. The German Engineering Federation (VDMA) reports that the defence sector’s share of the engineering industry is currently estimated at a modest two to five per cent of turnover, but this share could “double within three to five years”, given the rapid expansion of German arms production.[5] VDMA President Bertram Kawlath concedes that this trend will not be enough to offset “the decline in orders from the automotive industry”.[6] Nevertheless, according to an internal survey by the association, 63 per cent of its member companies rate the defence sector as an “important” or even “very important” future customer. …
The shift towards defence production is affecting not only the companies gaining military contracts but also the overarching business structures. Take, for instance, the Hannover Messe, … It always features as strong engineering sector presence. This year it also has a dedicated area reserved for showcasing arms manufacturing. The fair’s organisers describes its Defence Production Area as “a new trend-setting exhibition format”.[8] A report in Handelsblatt notes that while “finished weapon systems” let alone battle tanks are “not on display” in Hanover, there were “around forty companies at the stands in the Defence section demonstrating, for example, how artillery shells are assembled automatically and how government data, including military data, are generated at highly secure IT workstations. …
The militarisation of everyday life
The growing importance of the arms industry for the crisis-hit engineering sector is just one example of how first individual companies, then major events such as the Hannover Messe, are drawn into the maelstrom of militarisation, until even dedicated arms fairs spring up. The consequences of German militarisation will reach far into everyday life. 04/24/26 https://www.german-foreign-policy.com/en/news/detail/10378
Germany the major driver of arms procurement
Germany has become the new big spender in the worldwide arms build-up, reveals think-tank data. But the billions diverted into weapons programmes are damaging an economy in need of education investment.
05 Mar 2026
BERLIN (own report) – Europe is currently the strongest driver of arms expenditure worldwide – and Germany the biggest driver of military procurement in Europe. … If Berlin ramps up its defence budget to 150 billion euros by 2029 as envisaged, Germany would account for almost six per cent of all global military spending. Germany, incidentally, has only one per cent of the world’s population. …
The IISS have identified renewed efforts in Europe to purchase military hardware from contractors on its own continent rather than from the United States.
The rationale usually given for efforts to procure weapons from European production as much as possible is for Europe to escape dependence on the US. A second argument is that the many hundreds of billions of euros earmarked for investment in armaments over the next few years should benefit German and European companies rather than US industry. Politicians now regard the armaments boom as a way of stimulating the ailing economy. https://www.german-foreign-policy.com/en/news/detail/10328

Prussia is basically considered the German standard for military performance and goals. So, with 1% of the world’s population, Germany looks to be responsible for 6% of the world’s military spending.

And notice that Europe wants less dependence on the USA.

Notice the following:

30 April 2026
European leaders seem to be acting upon their promises to spend more on defence.
Following US pressure, which saw President Donald Trump lambast NATO allies for not reaching defence spending targets, the continent’s investments in 2025 grew by 14% — more than all other continents — to reach €739 billion.
According to the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI), it’s the steepest climb since the 1950s and twice the amount as 10 years ago, as many NATO members move to meet the new 5% of GDP spending target set for 2035.
Last year, Berlin invested around €97 billion in defence, a 24% spending spike from 2024. …
Naval forces are also set for an expansion with plans to procure up to 42 manned vessels integrated with 50 unmanned systems, “including new corvettes and submarines”.
“Further strategic priorities lie in military space programmes”, Thiele said, with investments in spy satellites, space aircraft and laser-based defence systems in space.
He explained these investments will make Germany’s military “the strongest conventional armed force in Europe”. https://www.euronews.com/my-europe/2026/04/30/from-statements-to-actions-heres-which-european-countries-are-spending-the-most-on-defence

Consider. also, that on 25 February 2025, Germany’s Friedrich Merz called for military independence from the United States (https://abcnews.go.com/International/germany-move-independence-us-new-leader/story?id=119115938). On 25 June 2025, others in the EU pushed for military independence from the USA (https://www.dw.com/en/eu-pushes-for-independent-defense-amid-nato-strain/video-73032325). Technology will be a factor–and more in Europe are starting to realize that.

Could Donald Trump’s threats along with various fears, pandemics, migrants, economic issues, or other ‘crises’ lead to a ‘fourth reich’ in Germany?

Notice something about Germany’s history published decades ago by the old Worldwide Church of God:

In 1933 Adolf Hitler, using Germany’s growing economic crisis as a stepping-stone to power, gained control of Germany, inaugurating the Third Reich of German history.

It quickly became clear that Hitler’s geopolitical aims far transcended his own country’s borders. Hitler held an unshakable conviction that his German Reich would one day rule all of Europe — and from there seize the leadership of the world! He dreamed of a “new world order” that would remake the political face of the earth, with himself at its helm.

In 1939 Hitler began in earnest his struggle for the mastery of the world. (Stump K. Coming Soon – A New World Order. Good News, 1985)

Adolf Hitler used an economic crisis to rise up and form his so-called third reich.

Could there be some type of a ‘fourth reich’ this century to follow the ‘third reich’ of last century?

The old Radio Church of God thought so, even decades earlier:

The “German Problem” is not dead. Germans are thinking more than ever of an undivided Reich – and of an undivided Europe! … On the 17th of June, Germans celebrated a national holiday a day dedicated to AN UNDIVIDED GERMANY. Stores closed. No one worked. The striking thing is that this day signifies something that has not happened yet! Most holidays commemorate an event – something that has already taken place. Not this one – it looks forward to an event which all Germans hope for and even pray for – AN UNDIVIDED GERMANY! (Kelly R. The March for an Undivided Germany. Plain Truth, September 1964)

Well, since that came out, East and West Germany united, the European Union formed, and a European currency has been implemented.

So, is a ‘fourth reich’ in the process of forming? Some in Germany and elsewhere seem to think so. We continue to see Germany taking military steps.

Now this does not mean that everyone in Germany wants it to militarily dominate the world, but Bible prophecy shows that deep down, those there do want to dominate.

Notice the following prophecy:

5 “Woe to Assyria, the rod of My anger
And the staff in whose hand is My indignation.
6 I will send him against an ungodly nation,
And against the people of My wrath
I will give him charge,
To seize the spoil, to take the prey,
And to tread them down like the mire of the streets.
7 Yet he does not mean so,
Nor does his heart think so;
But it is in his heart to destroy,
And cut off not a few nations.
8 For he says,
‘Are not my princes altogether kings? (Isaiah 10:5-8)

Notice that the leader of the final empire will not think that he wants to destroy nations, but he really does, and really will.

Notice that Isaiah tells of a time when the end time Assyrian power will be sent against an ungodly nation (NKJV), translated as “an hypocritical nation” in the KJV. The Hebrew word used signifies being “soiled” or impious, and certainly that is now the case for the nation known as the United States.

What exactly is the ‘fourth reich’? Notice one interpretation:

The Fourth Reich (German: Viertes Reich) is a theoretical future German empire, following the First Reich (the Holy Roman Empire, 962–1806), the Second Reich (Imperial Germany, 1871–1918) and the Third Reich (Nazi Germany, 1933–1945). (Wikipedia, accessed 04/03/15)

Some believe that Germany already has a type of fourth reich as it has been able to dominate European matters at least for the past decade or so.

Biblically, the final European King of the North will lead a revived ‘Holy Roman Empire.’ This will be the empire of the Beast power of Revelation 13. This new world order, which will have German dominance, will in a sense be its fourth militaristic reich (reich means reign).

The Bible prophesies that Europe will have a “great army” (Daniel 11:25), various weapons, and “many ships” (Daniel 11:40).

Germany’s chancellor, Friedrich Merz, has basically said that Germany is working to get both.

Furthermore, technology will, in my view, be key in the establishment of a militaristic fourth reich, consistent with scriptures such as Revelation 13:4. And yes, Europe is working on military-related technologies.

The Beast power is prophesied to arise from Europe after various crises (cf. Revelation 6:1-8; 13:1-4).

Furthermore, the Bible tells of a time when that European leader will defeat many (Daniel 11:39-43) and also dominate the world economically (Revelation 18). Germany will be a major factor in this although there will be problems in Europe (Daniel 2:41-43). Yet, after some reorganizations it will arise (Revelation 17:12-13).

A ‘fourth reich’ is in the process of being made, but it is not here yet.

The Continuing Church of God put together the following video in 2025 on our Bible News Prophecy YouTube channel:

14:32
Germany’s Great Army – Any Problems? WWIII?
At long last, from the perspective of the United States, Germany is stepping up to the plate and greatly increasing its military spending. The politicians in Germany have found a way to bypass the legal limitation on debt enshrined in the Basic Law. This is intended to enable them to develop the military and weaponry they feel is needed to protect themselves from potential threats. The Germans and 75% of NATO feel they have to take these type of steps because they feel the USA can no longer be relied on to help protect them militarily. Politico asked about Germany’s military rebuilding, “What Could Go Wrong?” Could this rebuilding be part of the rise of the “Fourth Reich”? If so, what would this mean? What were the first three Reichs? The so-called ‘Holy Roman Empire’ was the first. Imperial Germany of the 19th century was the second. Adolph Hitler’s Nazi Germany was the third. Can the rise of the fourth Reich be related to a revival of some type of the Holy Roman Empire? The Bible shows that the final King of the North will have a “great army” (Daniel 11:25) and “many ships” (Daniel 11:40). Could that be Germany, which is also working on many military technologies, including supercollider research? Consider, further, that the Bible tells of a power that had been unsuccessful going against a prosperous nation with a strong military before (WWI and WII?), but will finally succeed per Daniel 11:24 and Daniel 11:39. Could the next attempt be World War III and the end of the United States of America? Could the USA be the ungodly/hypocritical nation of Isaiah 10:7 that God says He will use the end-time descendants of Assyria to punish? Are there any prophetic and historic ties between ancient Assyria and the Germanic peoples of Central Europe? Watch this video and listen as Dr. Thiel shines the light of Biblical prophecy right from the pages of the Bible on the full ramifications of the rise of the Beast whose deadly wound was healed!

Here is a link to our video: Germany’s Great Army – Any Problems? WWIII?

Consider the following prophecy from the Book of Daniel related to the final European King of the North:

23 And after the league is made with him he shall act deceitfully, for he shall come up and become strong with a small number of people. 24 He shall enter peaceably, even into the richest places of the province; and he shall do what his fathers have not done, nor his forefathers: he shall disperse among them the plunder, spoil, and riches; and he shall devise his plans against the strongholds, but only for a time. (Daniel 11:23-24)

Consider that the German-European alliance was defeated in WWI and WWII. So, the fathers (WWII) and forefathers (WWI) of the final King of the North failed to defeat the UK and USA those two times. But notice that he is prophesied to be successful against the strongholds, in this case meaning the military alliance of the USA and UK. The third time basically is WWIII and the Germanic-European King of the North Beast power will succeed per Daniel 11:24 and Daniel 11:39 (see also USA in Prophecy: The Strongest Fortresses).

Yes, Germany was defeated twice last century. But notice also the following prophecy from the Book of Revelation:

14 … the beast who was wounded by the sword and lived. (Revelation 13:14)

Germany, along with remnants of the old ‘Holy Roman Empire,’ were wounded by the swords of WWI and WWII, but has Germany has lived and now is mainly recovered from its prior wounds. And the EU is rising to be the final version of the old Holy Roman Empire.

Germany is more and more committed to becoming a major military power again.

Many in Europe are supporting that.

There will be many unintended consequences of the Trump-Vance Administration.

Some items of possibly related interest may include:

Europa, the Beast, and Revelation Where did Europe get its name? What might Europe have to do with the Book of Revelation? What about “the Beast”? Is an emerging European power “the daughter of Babylon”? What is ahead for Europe? Here is are links to related videos: European history and the Bible, Europe In Prophecy, The End of European Babylon, and Can You Prove that the Beast to Come is European? Here is a link to a related sermon in the Spanish language: El Fin de la Babilonia Europea.

The European Union and the Seven Kings of Revelation 17 Could the European Union be the sixth king that now is, but is not? Here is a link to the related sermon video: European Union & 7 Kings of Revelation 17:10.
Must the Ten Kings of Revelation 17:12 Rule over Ten Currently Existing Nations? Some claim that these passages refer to a gathering of 10 currently existing nations together, while one group teaches that this is referring to 11 nations getting together. Is that what Revelation 17:12-13 refers to? The ramifications of misunderstanding this are enormous. Here is a link to a related sermon in the Spanish language: ¿Deben los Diez Reyes gobernar sobre diez naciones? A related sermon in the English language is titled: Ten Kings of Revelation and the Great Tribulation.

European Technology and the Beast of Revelation Will the coming European Beast power would use and develop technology that will result in the taking over of the USA and its Anglo-Saxon allies? Is this possible? What does the Bible teach? Here is a related YouTube video: Military Technology and the Beast of Revelation.

The Large Hadron Collider has Military Potential Some say this European project is only peaceful. So why is it working on capturing antimatter? Here is a link to a related video: Could the Large Hadron Collider lead to destruction?

USA in Prophecy: The Strongest Fortresses Can you point to scriptures, like Daniel 11:39, that point to the USA in the 21st century? This article does. A related sermon is titled: Do these 7 prophesies point to the end of the USA?

Who is the King of the West? Why is there no Final End-Time King of the West in Bible Prophecy? Is the United States the King of the West? Here is a version in the Spanish language: ¿Quién es el Rey del Occidente? ¿Por qué no hay un Rey del Occidente en la profecía del tiempo del fin? A related sermon is also available: The Bible, the USA, and the King of the West.

Who is the King of the North? Is there one? Do biblical and Roman Catholic prophecies for the Great Monarch point to the same leader? Should he be followed? Who will be the King of the North discussed in Daniel 11? Is a nuclear attack prophesied to happen to the English-speaking peoples of the United States, Great Britain, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand? When do the 1335 days, 1290 days, and 1260 days (the time, times, and half a time) of Daniel 12 begin? When does the Bible show that economic collapse will affect the United States? In the Spanish language check out ¿Quién es el Rey del Norte? Here is a link to a video titled: The Future King of the North.

The Great Monarch: Biblical and Catholic Prophecies Is the ‘Great Monarch’ of Catholic prophecies endorsed or condemned by the Bible? Two sermons of related interest are also available: Great Monarch: Messiah or False Christ? and Great Monarch in 50+ Beast Prophecies.

Germany’s Assyrian Roots Throughout History Are the Germanic peoples descended from Asshur of the Bible? Have there been real Christians in Germanic history? What about the “Holy Roman Empire”? There is also a You-Tube video sermon on this titled Germany’s Biblical Origins.

Germany in Biblical and Catholic Prophecy Does Assyria in the Bible equate to an end time power inhabiting the area of the old Roman Empire? What does prophecy say Germany will do and what does it say will happen to most of the German people? Here is a link to a video Is the USA Pushing Germany to Start WWIII?

Lost Tribes and Prophecies: What will happen to Australia, the British Isles, Canada, Europe, New Zealand and the United States of America? Where did those people come from? Can you totally rely on DNA? Do you really know what will happen to Europe and the English-speaking peoples? What about the peoples of Africa, Asia, South America, and the islands? This free online book provides scriptural, scientific, historical references, and commentary to address those matters. Here are links to related sermons: Lost tribes, the Bible, and DNA; Lost tribes, prophecies, and identifications; 11 Tribes, 144,000, and Multitudes; Israel, Jeremiah, Tea Tephi, and British Royalty; Gentile European Beast; Royal Succession, Samaria, and Prophecies; Asia, Islands, Latin America, Africa, and Armageddon; When Will the End of the Age Come?; Rise of the Prophesied King of the North; Christian Persecution from the Beast; WWIII and the Coming New World Order; and Woes, WWIV, and the Good News of the Kingdom of God.