Donald Trump calls Mark Milley 'idiot' for leaving military equipment in Afghanistan
Share this @internewscast.com

President Donald Trump revealed that he and Gen. Mark Milley, the former Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, had a disagreement regarding the military equipment left in Afghanistan when the US withdrew its troops in 2021.

Trump, who has long advocated for retrieving the billions of dollars’ worth of equipment abandoned in Afghanistan, mentioned that Milley had contended it was more cost-effective to leave the equipment behind.

“That’s when I realized he wasn’t very smart,” Trump remarked during a Cabinet meeting on Tuesday. “It didn’t take long to see that. They abandoned all that equipment. But even worse, they left their pride behind. In my view, it was the most humiliating moment in our nation’s history. Not because we left—we never should have been there—but because of the disgraceful manner in which we departed, marked by great shame and loss of life.”

Milley, who is now retired, did not immediately respond to a request for comment from Fox News Digital. 

The Taliban seized nearly all of the more than $7 billion worth of equipment US troops left in Afghanistan during the withdrawal process, according to a 2022 Department of Defense report.

While US troops removed or destroyed most of the major equipment, there were aircraft, ground vehicles and other weapons were left in Afghanistan. The condition of these items remains unknown, but the Pentagon said in the report the equipment likely would fail operationally without maintenance from US contractors. 

In 2021, then-President Joe Biden signed off on pulling US troops from Afghanistan, following up on existing plans from the first Trump administration in 2020 with Taliban leaders to end the conflict. 

However, Biden bore the brunt of criticism for the withdrawal after the Taliban rapidly took over Afghanistan again, and more than a dozen US service members died supporting evacuation efforts. 


Every morning, the NY POSTcast offers a deep dive into the headlines with the Post’s signature mix of politics, business, pop culture, true crime and everything in between. Subscribe here!


Thirteen US service members were killed during the withdrawal process due to a suicide bombing at Abbey Gate, outside the then-Hamid Karzai International Airport, as the Taliban gained control of Kabul.

Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth announced in May that he had instructed the Pentagon to launch a comprehensive review of the US withdrawal to provide a more comprehensive evaluation of the event and to hold those responsible accountable. 

“The Department of Defense has an obligation, both to the American people and to the warfighters who sacrificed their youth in Afghanistan, to get to the facts,” Hegseth said in a memo in May. “This remains an important step toward regaining faith and trust with the American people and all those who wear the uniform and is prudent based on the number of casualties and equipment lost during the execution of this withdrawal operation.” 

Milley previously told lawmakers on the House Foreign Affairs Committee in March 2024 that he and the commander of US Central Command at the time of the withdrawal, Marine Gen. Kenneth F. McKenzie Jr., both advised Biden to keep some US troops in Afghanistan after pulling most US. forces. 

“The outcome in Afghanistan was the result of many decisions from many years of war,” Milley told lawmakers. “Like any complex phenomena, there was no single causal factor that determined the outcome.”

This is a breaking news story and will be updated. 

Share this @internewscast.com
You May Also Like
Supreme Court blocks Trump from restarting Alien Enemies Act deportations

The Supreme Court paves the way for Trump’s efforts to reduce the number of federal employees.

The Supreme Court on Tuesday gave the green light to President Donald…
Close-up of Ian Wilkinson outside a court building.

Sole Survivor of Erin Patterson’s Meal Speaks Out with Powerful 8-Word Message After Verdict

THE sole survivor of mushroom killer Erin Patterson’s poisoned lunch has broken…
Over 60 UFO sightings reported whizzing across state in first half of 2025, national tracking group says

More Than 60 UFO Sightings Reported Across State in Early 2025, Says National Tracking Group

New York state has documented 66 Unidentified Aerial Phenomena (UAP) sightings in…
A Volotea airplane on a tarmac surrounded by emergency vehicles.

Tragedy Strikes on Milan Runway: Man Fatally Pulled into Aircraft Engine Before Takeoff

A MAN has reportedly been sucked into a plane engine and killed…
Screenshot of a press conference with law enforcement officials.

27-Year-Old Gunman with Rifle Fatally Shot After Attacking Border Control Agents, Leading to Airport Shutdown

A GUNMAN armed with an assault rifle has been killed after firing…
Read Bryan Kohberger's signed killer confession

Check Out Bryan Kohberger’s Signed Admission of Guilt

Bryan Kohberger put his guilt in writing and signed the bottom –…
New: Karen Bass Has Another Meltdown About Federal Operation, Shows She Doesn't Know How Things Work

Update: Karen Bass Criticizes Federal Operation, Appearing Confused About Its Functioning

On Monday, Mayor Karen Bass expressed strong disapproval of a federal enforcement…
Patriotic ICE officer replaces American flag after protesters burned existing banner at Portland facility

ICE Officer Restores American Flag at Portland Facility Following Protesters’ Actions

The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) revealed on Tuesday that a new…
My sister is trying to kill my 98-year-old mother

My Sister is Endangering Our 98-Year-Old Mother

DEAR ABBY: I reside five hours away from my hometown. My mom,…
2 student pilots die in a midair collision in Canada

Two Student Pilots Lose Their Lives in Midair Collision in Canada

On Tuesday morning, a tragic accident occurred when two student pilots lost…
Helicopter dropping water on a wildfire.

Massive Fires Shut Down Marseille Airport With Large-Scale Evacuations Amidst Thick Smoke in France

“APOCALYPTIC” blazes have forced Marseilles International Airport to shut down as France…
A new twist on the flower scene: wood flowers!

Introducing a Fresh Take on Floral Decor: Wooden Flowers!

Berlin, New Jersey — It all started with a Facebook video and…