NPR News Now: May 2, 2026 — Troop Withdrawal, Spirit Airlines Collapse, Louisiana Election Chaos, and a New Banksy

The Pentagon announced it will withdraw roughly 5,000 U.S. troops from Germany — about 14% of the American military presence there — within the next year, reversing a buildup that began under President Joe Biden and leaving just over 30,000 troops in the country. The move comes as President Trump has clashed with German leaders over the war in Iran, but Germany's defense minister downplayed the decision as an expected one.

U.S. Troop Reduction in Germany

German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius called the Pentagon's move expected, adding that if Germany is to remain transatlantic, "it must strengthen the European pillar within NATO." A NATO spokesperson said the alliance was working with the U.S. to understand the details of the withdrawal and that it underscored the need for Europe to invest more in defense. Germany is already undergoing an historic defense buildup and investment in response to Russia's invasion of Ukraine, which began more than four years ago.

Spirit Airlines Ceases Operations