Trump’s first cabinet meeting on Wednesday was full of great moments and this was one of them.
When a journalist asked if the generals involved in the disastrous withdrawal from Afghanistan under Joe Biden were still employed, Trump suggested that Pete Hegseth should fire every single one of them. Hegseth followed up by saying that an investigation is currently underway.
The Afghanistan withdrawal was an absolute mess which culminated in the deaths of 13 American service members. Biden’s approval rating never recovered after the episode.
The Hill reported:
Trump wants generals involved in Afghanistan withdrawal fired
President Trump said “every single one” of the military generals involved in the U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan should be fired, seated next to Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth during a Cabinet meeting on Wednesday.
Trump was questioned about whether his administration would fire or relieve from duty the military officers involved in the August 2021 withdrawal.
“I’m not going to tell this man what to do, but I will say that if I had his place I’d fire every single one of them,” Trump said, gesturing to Hegseth.
Hegseth replied that the Pentagon is “doing a complete review of every single aspect of what happened” with the deadly and chaotic August 2021 withdrawal and intends to deliver “full accountability.”
Trump has been highly critical of the United States’ chaotic and deadly departure, which happened under President Biden, but was set in motion by Trump when, in 2020, he negotiated and signed a deal with the Taliban committing to an earlier timeline for the drawdown of U.S. forces in Afghanistan.
See the video below:
After a reporter asks Trump if he’s fired all the generals involved in the botched Afghanistan withdrawal he responds:
“That’s a great idea. I’m not going to tell Pete Hegseth what to do, but if I were in his place, I’d fire every single one of them.”
— Ian Miles Cheong (@stillgray) February 26, 2025
The Afghanistan withdrawal has become a symbol of the frustration felt by millions of Americans who are tired of seeing disasters unfold with no one ever held accountable.
(Image:Source)