Senior Military Officers Point to Trump’s Decisions as Key Factors in Turbulent Exit; Harris Campaign Releases New Ad Echoing Concerns…..

In an unprecedented move, ten former Generals, Admirals, and the Sergeant Major of the Marine Corps have issued a public letter today, squarely blaming former President Donald Trump for the disastrous withdrawal of U.S. forces from Afghanistan in 2021. The letter, issued under the banner of “National Security Leaders for America,” features prominent signatories, including Admiral Steve Abbot, a former senior advisor to President George W. Bush.

The letter begins by praising Vice President Kamala Harris’s steadfast support for NATO, Ukraine, and America’s global alliances, contrasting it sharply with what the authors describe as Trump’s reckless approach to national security. The letter notes that Trump’s own former national security team has expressed grave concerns about his leadership, with some even labeling him a threat to U.S. alliances.

A significant portion of the letter is dedicated to Trump’s handling of the Afghan withdrawal, an issue he has repeatedly highlighted during his current campaign and is expected to raise in the upcoming debate with Vice President Harris. The letter highlights Trump’s controversial comments about wounded veterans and the Medal of Honor, further questioning his respect for the military.

The most pointed criticism, however, is directed at Trump’s role in the Afghan withdrawal itself—a withdrawal marred by the tragic deaths of 13 U.S. service members during a terrorist attack at Kabul’s Abbey Gate. The letter underscores how Trump recently used one of the families affected by this tragedy in a campaign photo op at Arlington National Cemetery, an act the signatories describe as deeply exploitative.

According to the military leaders, Trump’s decisions leading up to the withdrawal created an untenable situation for his successor, President Joe Biden. The letter states:

“Trump repeatedly fails to take responsibility for his own role in putting service members in harm’s way. Without involving the Afghan government, he and his Administration negotiated a deal with the Taliban that freed 5,000 Taliban fighters and allowed them to return to the battlefield. Then, he left President Biden and Vice President Harris with no plans to execute a withdrawal and with little time to do so. This chaotic approach severely hindered the Biden-Harris Administration’s ability to execute the most orderly withdrawal possible and put our service members and our allies at risk.”

Despite these challenges, the letter commends President Biden and Vice President Harris for their efforts in ending America’s longest war, overseeing the largest airlift in U.S. history, and successfully bringing U.S. troops home.

In a related development, the Harris campaign has released a new advertisement echoing the concerns raised in the letter. The ad prominently features quotes from Trump’s former national security officials, including former Vice President Mike Pence, former Secretary of Defense Mark Esper, former Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Mark Milley, and former National Security Advisor John Bolton. The ad is part of a targeted campaign, airing this week in Pennsylvania and on Fox News in Palm Beach, Florida.

As the debate over the Afghan withdrawal continues to play a significant role in the ongoing political discourse, this letter from top military leaders is likely to intensify scrutiny of Trump’s actions and their long-term consequences for U.S. national security.

Source: Meidasnews