Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has ordered a special review panel to convene and detail the military's "disastrous and embarrassing withdrawal from Afghanistan" in 2021.
Hegseth promised a full accounting of the withdrawal ordered by former President Joe Biden. It was marred by a suicide bombing at the Kabul International Airport Abbey Gate, which killed 13 U.S. service members and 170 civilians.
The decades-long U.S. military presence in Afghanistan, going back to 2001, likely cost the U.S. more than $775 billion. The value of usable military equipment left behind from the Biden administration's pullout decision has never been accurately calculated.
President Donald Trump declared in February that "every single" general involved in the pullout deserved to be fired.
During a Cabinet meeting with Hegseth close by, Trump said, "I'm not going to tell [Hegseth] what to do, but I will say that if I had his place, I'd fire every single one of them."
Hegseth said he has selected the leadership for the new Afghan withdrawal review panel, and everything possible will be covered, including "findings of fact, sources, witnesses, and analyze the decision making that led to one of America's darkest and deadliest international moments."
Hegseth said in a department release that all Americans deserve to know the truth. "This team will ensure ACCOUNTABILITY to the American people and the warfighters of our great Nation."
Jim Mishler ✉
Jim Mishler, a seasoned reporter, anchor and news director, has decades of experience covering crime, politics and environmental issues.
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