On Monday, GOP presidential candidate and former President Donald Trump pledged that if he were to return to the White House, he would demand the resignation of every official involved in the “disastrous” Afghanistan withdrawal. Addressing a gathering at the National Guard Association event in Detroit, Trump criticized the Biden administration’s handling of the situation and vowed immediate action on his first day back in office.
Trump emphasized his commitment to accountability, stating, “On Day 1, I will ask for the resignation of every single senior official who played a role in the Afghanistan catastrophe. By noon on Inauguration Day, I want their resignations on my desk.” Trump highlighted his belief that those responsible for the chaotic exit from Afghanistan must face consequences, drawing from his experience on “The Apprentice,” where he famously fired contestants with the phrase, “You’re fired.”
The former president’s remarks come three years after the tragic suicide bombing at Hamid Karzai International Airport on August 26, 2021, which claimed the lives of 13 American service members and over 100 Afghans. The attack, attributed to ISIS, was a stark reminder of the fallout from the abrupt and poorly managed withdrawal of U.S. forces from Afghanistan.
In the months leading up to the bombing, Vice President Kamala Harris was noted for her role in the decision-making process surrounding the withdrawal. In a CNN interview, she confirmed that she was the final person in the room before President Biden made the call to pull out troops, asserting her comfort with the decision—a stance that has since resurfaced in social media discussions.
Recently, President Biden’s claims during a CNN debate that he is the “only president this century” without U.S. troops dying abroad sparked backlash from Gold Star families. Darin Hoover, father of Marine Staff Sgt. Darin Taylor Hoover, who died in Kabul, expressed outrage over Biden’s statements, accusing him of failing to acknowledge the sacrifices of fallen service members. Hoover criticized the administration for its impersonal response, which consisted of standardized letters sent to the grieving families a year after the attack.
In response to the criticism, a White House spokesperson assured that President Biden deeply values the contributions and sacrifices of service members and their families, emphasizing the administration’s commitment to honoring their ultimate sacrifice. However, Trump’s promises to hold those accountable reflect a broader dissatisfaction with the current administration’s handling of national security and foreign policy.