Defense Sec. Lloyd Austin and Joint Chiefs Chairman General Mark Milley should resign after the “disastrous” management of the withdrawal from Afghanistan, a group of 87 retired generals has stated in an open letter this week.
The letter, from a group known as “Flag Officers 4 America,” said Milley and Austin showed “negligence in their duties” for the fast exit from Afghanistan, which has left Americans stranded and “de facto Taliban hostages,” Business Insider said this Tuesday.
The group said Milley and Austin should have argued against the fast exit, and should have resigned in protest if they were not able to convince President Biden otherwise.
“A fundamental principle is keeping those in charge accountable for their actions or inactions,” the retired generals said in their letter. “There must be accountability at every level for this avoidable and tragic debacle.”
“Conversely, if they did all in their ability to persuade President Biden to not hastily leave the country without guaranteeing the safety of American citizens and Afghan allies, then they should resign as a way to protest and make a public statement.”
General Kenneth McKenzie, leader of the United States Central Command, said this week that over 122,000 civilians from Afghanistan were evacuated since July, Business Insider has said.
However, dozens of American citizens and thousands of Afghans loyal to American were not able to leave.
Milley has spoken about the need for more intelligence, indicating Afghanistan would be overtaken by the Taliban as fast as it was.
“Flag Officers 4 America,” which says it is a group of “retired United States generals defending the Constitution,” previously said in an open letter back in May. That letter also questioned the reported results of the 2020 election, and Biden’s mental and physical health.
The generals’ letter said the “consequences” of “this terrible event are enormous,” and include the “torture and death of Afghans” and “indescribable” damage to the United States reputation, Business Insider said.
The letter also stated that it was “catastrophic” to have advanced equipment be captured by America’s enemies.
USA Today reported this week that aircraft, armored cars, and high-tech defense systems were left behind, some of which were made completely inoperable before the withdrawal. McKenzie said the United States had permanently disabled over 150 vehicles and aircraft before leaving the city.
“Flag Officers 4 America” also claimed that “given the weakness shown in Afghanistan,” adversaries such as China will now “emboldened to make moves against America” and that terrorists would “pass freely into our nation” through the southern border.
Author: Scott Dowdy
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