Former Commander of Army Europe Criticizes Plan to Withdraw 1,200 Troops

Hence "Former". Just his opinion which really does not matter. These countries need to be able to defend themselves and we should only be there to support/assist them. Sick of being the worlds police force.

I understand that last part. It doesn't necessarily have to be 2% because the same way they try to tell us it's not about our budget, but what we do with it, the same can be true of how our NATO allies do their part to secure NATOs footprint

It isn't a big deal, we will still have a sizable force there. These nations need to pay more for their own defense.