Former President Donald Trump has once again voiced strong criticism of the U.S. military leadership involved in the 2021 withdrawal from Afghanistan, calling for the dismissal of “every single” general responsible for overseeing the exit. His remarks came during a recent Cabinet meeting where he was seated beside Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth.
“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 stated, gesturing toward Hegseth.
In response, Hegseth assured that the Pentagon is undertaking a full-scale review of the withdrawal and will ensure “full accountability” for its execution. The former president has been adamant in his belief that the withdrawal was disastrous, leading to unnecessary deaths and the Taliban’s rapid return to power.
Why Trump Wants These Generals Fired
Trump has long been critical of the U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan, which ended in what many viewed as chaos. The Taliban quickly took control of Kabul, and the U.S.-backed Afghan government collapsed almost overnight. Thousands of Afghan citizens and U.S. allies scrambled to flee the country, leading to scenes of desperation at Hamid Karzai International Airport. A devastating suicide bombing near Abbey Gate killed 13 U.S. service members and over 170 Afghan civilians, further amplifying criticism of how the withdrawal was handled.
A report from the Republican-led House Foreign Affairs Committee has pointed to mismanagement at multiple levels, suggesting that the Biden administration prioritized “optics” over security. Representative Michael McCaul, who chairs the committee, stated, “It could have been prevented if the State Department did its job by law and executed the plan of evacuation… They left these 13 service men and women hanging out to dry.” Trump has echoed this sentiment, placing the blame squarely on military leadership.
Beyond the human cost, Trump has also drawn attention to the billions of dollars in U.S. military equipment that was left behind during the withdrawal. “I think they should give our equipment back. And I told Pete to study that. But we left billions, tens of billions of dollars worth of equipment behind. Brand new trucks. You see them display it every year, on their little roadways,” Trump remarked. He has claimed that the Taliban is now one of the world’s largest suppliers of military equipment, stating, “They’re selling 777,000 rifles, 70,000 armor plated… trucks and vehicles. I think we should get it back.”
Who Are the Generals in Question?
One of the most prominent officers associated with the withdrawal is Gen. Christopher Donahue, the last American soldier to leave Afghanistan. At the time, Donahue commanded the 82nd Airborne Division and was responsible for much of the ground-level execution of the withdrawal. Since then, he has been promoted to commander of U.S. Army Europe-Africa, a move that was briefly held up by Sen. Markwayne Mullin (R-Okla.) over concerns related to his role in the withdrawal.
While many of the other military officials involved in the withdrawal have since retired or moved into different roles, Trump has signaled that those still in active service will “largely be gone” under his administration. His recent removal of several high-ranking military officials, including the Joint Chiefs of Staff chair, the Navy’s top admiral, and the Air Force deputy chief of staff, suggests that he is willing to follow through on this vision.
Is Trump Putting His Plan Into Action?
Trump’s call for mass firings has yet to be formally enacted, but it is clear that he wants significant changes at the Pentagon. Hegseth has committed to a “complete review of every single aspect of what happened” during the withdrawal, which could serve as a basis for future dismissals.
However, removing military leaders is not a straightforward process. Officers are not easily dismissed without cause, and many of those involved in the Afghanistan withdrawal had previously carried out policies initiated under Trump’s own administration. In 2020, Trump signed an agreement with the Taliban that set an earlier timeline for withdrawal, though it was ultimately delayed by the Biden administration. Trump also ordered a rapid drawdown of troops following his 2020 election loss, though some senior military officials did not fully comply with the order.
Given these complexities, Trump’s rhetoric may be more about reinforcing his political stance than executing an immediate policy shift. Nevertheless, his statements suggest that he remains focused on holding military leadership accountable for what he views as one of the greatest failures in modern U.S. history.
Despite his strong words, Trump has not yet moved to fire any generals specifically for their role in Afghanistan. Several factors may be contributing to this hesitation. First, there are legal and procedural obstacles that prevent the immediate removal of high-ranking officers without due process. Second, some of the generals involved in the withdrawal have already left military service, making it impossible to remove them.
Another significant factor is the political risk involved. Trump’s criticism of the military leadership could create friction within the armed forces, particularly among those who feel that the failures in Afghanistan were the result of decades of policy missteps rather than individual incompetence. Some lawmakers and military experts have warned that purging military officials based on political grievances could set a dangerous precedent.
Potential Outcomes of Trump’s Plan
If Trump follows through with his proposed firings, it could dramatically reshape military leadership. His administration has already begun replacing top Pentagon officials, and additional removals would reinforce his broader strategy of restoring what he considers proper accountability and discipline within the ranks.
However, mass dismissals could also disrupt stability within the military, as removing experienced officers might lead to operational gaps at a time when the U.S. is facing multiple global security challenges. Critics argue that the failures in Afghanistan were the product of decisions made over two decades, involving multiple administrations, and that pinning the blame solely on current generals oversimplifies a complex issue.
Ultimately, Trump’s push to remove military leaders reflects his broader approach to governance—prioritizing bold actions and accountability, regardless of potential resistance. Whether he fully enacts his vision remains uncertain, but his latest statements leave little doubt that he intends to continue pressing the issue in the months ahead.
