Trump Team Plans Review of Afghanistan Withdrawal

President-elect Donald Trump’s transition team is reportedly compiling a list of U.S. military officers involved in the Biden administration’s controversial 2021 withdrawal from Afghanistan. According to sources familiar with the matter, the team is considering forming a commission to investigate the chaotic pullout, which left 13 American service members dead and drew widespread criticism.

The commission would aim to identify key players in the decision-making process and assess how the withdrawal was executed. It could even explore the possibility of severe charges, including treason, against those deemed responsible for the disastrous operation.

Two individuals with knowledge of the plan told NBC News that Trump’s team is “taking it very seriously.” They intend to scrutinize every aspect of the withdrawal, from the initial planning stages to its catastrophic conclusion.

The investigation would not only look at how decisions were made but also evaluate whether military leaders acted in a manner that prioritized the safety of U.S. personnel and allies. The ultimate goal appears to be holding those accountable for what Trump has previously called “the most embarrassing, incompetent, and humiliating event in the history of the United States.”

The withdrawal from Afghanistan in August 2021 led to the Taliban’s swift return to power, triggering chaos as the U.S. scrambled to evacuate American citizens and Afghan allies. The situation culminated in a deadly suicide bombing at Kabul’s Hamid Karzai International Airport, which killed 13 U.S. service members and dozens of Afghan civilians.

In the aftermath, criticism of the Biden administration’s handling of the situation poured in from both sides of the political aisle. Vice President Kamala Harris, then part of the Biden-Harris administration, accused Trump of leaving behind a “dangerous, costly mess” with no plan for an orderly withdrawal. However, Gold Star families of the fallen service members have defended Trump, expressing frustration with Harris’s response and calling her accusations a political diversion.

Trump’s administration had initiated negotiations with the Taliban, which led to a deal stipulating a U.S. withdrawal by May 2021. However, the withdrawal was not completed before Trump left office in January 2020. Upon taking office, Biden extended the deadline to September 2021, a move that reportedly went against the advice of some of his military advisers.

Critics argue that this extension provided the Taliban with an opportunity to reorganize and launch their rapid offensive. By late August 2021, the Taliban had captured Kabul, forcing the hasty evacuation that unfolded under chaotic and deadly conditions.

Months before these new developments, Trump visited Arlington National Cemetery to honor the 13 service members who lost their lives in the Kabul airport bombing. His visit sparked controversy after reports of a confrontation between Trump’s campaign team and a cemetery official over filming permissions.

While some viewed the visit as a heartfelt tribute, others, including Harris, criticized it as a “political stunt.” This characterization angered many Gold Star families, who felt that Trump’s gesture was sincere and accused Harris of politicizing their grief.

Trump’s proposed commission could mark a significant step in unraveling the complex web of decisions that led to the Afghanistan debacle. The move aligns with his broader agenda of addressing what he views as missteps by the Biden administration and restoring confidence in U.S. leadership.

Supporters of the commission believe it could provide a clearer understanding of the events leading up to and during the withdrawal. They also see it as an opportunity to prevent similar disasters in the future. Critics, however, view it as a politically motivated effort to deflect attention from Trump’s own role in setting the stage for the withdrawal.

As Trump prepares to take office once again, his focus on the Afghanistan withdrawal underscores his commitment to revisiting key issues that defined his previous presidency. The commission, if established, could reignite the debate over the U.S. withdrawal and further polarize public opinion.

For now, the proposal highlights Trump’s determination to hold those involved accountable and to leverage his administration’s power to reshape the narrative surrounding one of America’s most controversial military actions. Whether the commission will lead to tangible outcomes or serve primarily as a political tool remains to be seen, but it is certain to keep the Afghanistan withdrawal in the national spotlight.