Former Trump national security adviser H.R. McMaster holds the former president partially responsible for the chaotic withdrawal of U.S. forces from Afghanistan.
Former Trump national security adviser H.R. McMaster has strongly criticized the former president's handling of the withdrawal of U.S. troops from Afghanistan. McMaster, a retired U.S. Army Lieutenant General, argues that Trump's decision to negotiate with the Taliban while simultaneously planning a withdrawal set the stage for the chaotic and deadly U.S. pullout under the Biden administration.
In an interview with CNN, McMaster slammed Trump for negotiating a withdrawal timeline with the Taliban, a terrorist organization. He questioned the logic behind engaging with the Taliban before leaving Afghanistan, stating, "Why the heck were we even doing that?"
Trump's Withdrawal Strategy Criticized by Former National Security Adviser
McMaster also criticized Trump's campaign promise to fire any U.S. officials involved in the withdrawal if re-elected. He argued that Trump's decision to withdraw from Afghanistan in 2017 was initially sound but that Trump later abandoned it under pressure from those who manipulated him with "mantras" of ending endless wars.
During the interview, McMaster highlighted the contrast between Trump's approach to Afghanistan and that of the Obama administration. He noted that Obama did not negotiate with Al Qaeda in Iraq when withdrawing U.S. troops. McMaster argued that the Trump administration's concessions to the Taliban, including releasing prisoners and halting the targeting of Taliban fighters, "threw the Afghans under the bus on the way out."
Trump's Withdrawal Strategy Criticized by Former National Security Adviser
McMaster also criticized the Biden administration's handling of the withdrawal. He stated that the Biden team was in "denial" about the consequences of the pullout, which has led to a resurgence of jihadist terrorist organizations.
In response to McMaster's criticism, Trump's campaign has declined to comment. However, McMaster's remarks echo those of other former Trump administration officials who have expressed concerns about the Afghanistan withdrawal.
Trump's Withdrawal Strategy Criticized by Former National Security Adviser
A U.S. review of the withdrawal led by the National Security Council concluded that the Biden administration's choices were constrained by the conditions created by Trump's policies.
McMaster's criticism serves as a reminder of the controversial nature of the Afghanistan withdrawal and the complex legacy of Trump's foreign policy decisions. His remarks also highlight the ongoing debate surrounding the role of the United States in Afghanistan and the region's future.
Trump's Withdrawal Strategy Criticized by Former National Security Adviser
