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
Kerry King of Slayer makes surprise appearance at "Shag" art booth to sign art and take photos with artist Josh Agle

Kerry King from Slayer unexpectedly visits “Shag” art booth to sign art and pose for photos with artist Josh Agle

SAN DIEGO — At San Diego Comic-Con, you never know who you’ll…
Trump's 'big, beautiful bill' could spell trouble for gamblers: What to know

Trump’s Promised Legislation May Pose Risks for Gamblers: Key Points Explained

A gambling tax provision in President Trump’s megabill that passed Congress earlier…
Trump shrugs off France’s recognition of Palestine as Rubio, prominent Republicans blast move

Macron Diverges from Trump on International Issues from Gaza to Greenland

From Gaza to Greenland, French President Emmanuel Macron appears to be taking…
Trump issues firm 10-day deadline to Putin to end war

Trump sets a strict 10-day ultimatum for Putin to cease hostilities

President Donald Trump on Tuesday firmed up threats he issued one day…
Ocean view at sunset with dark clouds and mountains in the background.

Intense moment Hawaii braced for tsunami following 8.8 earthquake in the Ring of Fire, leading to mass evacuations

HAUNTING footage shows the moment ocean water receded along a Hawaii shoreline…
Large group of travelers waiting at LAX airport for a Honolulu flight.

Leading Airlines Suspend Flights Following Powerful Earthquake Near Russia Which Triggers US Tsunami Alert

The 8.8 magnitude earthquake near Russia has caused airlines to halt flights…
Map of tsunami advisory showing magnitude 8 earthquake location and affected areas.

Pacific Islands on High Alert for Tsunami Following 8.7 Magnitude Earthquake Near Russia

A HUGE earthquake has struck the coast of Russia – strong enough…
Five charged in viral Cincinnati street attack but prosecutor's office awaits details

Five Individuals Charged in Viral Cincinnati Street Attack as Prosecutor Awaits Further Details

Hamilton County’s lead prosecutor, Connie Pillich, clarified that although Cincinnati Police Chief…
New: The Story Behind the No Good, Horrible, Very Bad Day North Carolina Democrats Had

Inside Look: The Challenging Day Faced by North Carolina Democrats

As my colleague Ward Clark previously reported, it was a significant day…
Epstein, Maxwell grand juries relied on two law enforcement witnesses, DOJ filing reveals

DOJ Files Show Epstein and Maxwell Grand Juries Depended on Testimonies from Two Law Enforcement Sources

An overnight filing by the Department of Justice revealed the grand juries…
Tsunami alerts issued for US West Coast, Hawaii after 8.8 magnitude earthquake strikes near Russia

Alert: Major 8.8 Earthquake Near Russia Triggers Tsunami Warnings for US West Coast and Hawaii

An enormous 8.8-magnitude earthquake hit off Russia’s coast on Tuesday, leading to…

Chilling Footage of NYC Shooter Shane Tamura Playing Football Emerges; Disturbing ‘Suicide Note’ Blames Sport for Violent Behavior

GUNMAN Shane Tamura had a promising future as a standout high school…