He ignored concerns about the consequences for fragile governments on front lines of in fight against [the Islamic State] and al-Qaeda terrorists,” Kinzinger said. “Knowing that he was leaving office, he acted immediately and signed this order on November 11, what would be required immediate withdrawal of troops from Somalia and Afghanistan, everything will be complete before Biden’s inauguration on January 20th”.
Trump’s retreat order was previously reported by Axios and in book “Danger” by journalists Bob Woodward and Robert Costa. Kinzinger’s presentation, however, marked a dramatic moment. in hearing on Thursday committee played video and audio clips of given testimony over in past after a few months key officials concerned about presidential plans, including Army General Mark A. Milley, chairman of Joint Chiefs of Staff of Employees; and retired Lieutenant General Keith Kellogg, who served national Security Advisor to Vice President Mike Pence.
The Afghanistan plan was ultimately set to the side. Milley called the order “weird” and “potentially dangerous”, telling the committee that he did not think it was feasible or reasonable. Kellogg said the proposal was “very controversial” and that its implementation out it would be “a huge disservice [the] nation”.
“This is the same with President Biden,” Kellogg said, comparing the situation to a chaotic and deadly withdrawal is carried out out at Biden direction in August 2021. “That would be a fiasco.”
John McEntee, Trump adviser, recalled typing up order to withdraw troops from Afghanistan and secure Trump’s signature on It. He did not offer an assessment similar to that of Milley and Kellogg. in the testimony was broadcast on Thursday.
Their comments add to public understanding of key military moves that connect the two presidencies, and often disorderly nature of discussions under Trump.
trump administration, in February 2020, agreement signed with The Taliban have agreed to withdraw all US troops by spring 2021. of concessions, including that the Taliban fire against US troops before leaving. Afghan government was cut out of those discussions.
Trump later violated this agreement by tweeting. in October of what year that all American troops should to be “home for Christmas!” Then-Secretary of Defense Mark T. Esper sent a memorandum to Trump notifying the president that the ongoing Taliban attacks were potential danger for remaining US personnel and risks to US alliances made this timeline is not working.
Trump fired Esper on November 9, one the day after an electoral defeat, appointing loyalists to the Pentagon at a time when administrations are usually aiming for a smooth transition on questions of national safety.
Biden decided in from April 2021 to follow through with the withdrawal of troops from Afghanistan, which led to the collapse of countries government four months later. Biden administration officials blame Trump for his deal with Taliban left few alternatives yet former Trump administration officials sought distance himself from the agreement, arguing that it was to be implemented only if the conditions required it.
Trump criticized Biden for haphazard exit, calling it “humiliation” and “total surrender”, and stating that this would not have happened on his watch.
“We could get out with honor,” Trump said at the rally. last year. “We should received out with honour. As well as instead we have out with complete opposite of honour.”
Alyssa Farah Griffin, former Trump administration official who became a frequent critic, tweeted on Thursday that “someone who remains very critical of Biden’s departure from Afghanistan”, she would be curious to hear how Trump supporters defend “Trump’s order”. for even more hasty retreat.
like someone who remains very critical of Biden leaving Afghanistan, I would be curious to hear the defensex on right of trump order for even more hasty retreat. https://t.co/suCXr4d72o
— Alyssa Farah Griffin (@Alyssafarah) October 13, 2022
Under Trump directionhundreds of US troops withdrawn from Somalia in recent weeks of his administration. Some of them have been redeployed to neighboring Kenya, continuing to visit Somalia to advise local troops on fighting al-Qaeda-linked militants.
In May, Biden reversed Trump’s order on Somalia, deploying hundreds of US troops are there. Pentagon officials have requested the president’s approval for this, saying it’s getting more and more erratic to only appear on occasionally wear the earth out operations. The Pentagon has done several of air strikes in Somalia ever since.
