The Trump transition team is reportedly compiling a list of senior U.S. military officers involved in the 2021 withdrawal from Afghanistan to explore potential court-martial charges, according to sources cited by NBC News.
A U.S. official and a source familiar with the plan are considering a commission to investigate the withdrawal, including decision-making, execution, and potential treason charges, according to the report.
“They’re taking it very seriously,” a source familiar with the plan commented. The Trump transition team has not yet responded to requests for comment.
Matt Flynn, a former deputy assistant secretary of defense, was named as a lead in the effort, but his attorney denied his involvement, stating no one had sought Flynn’s input on military justice matters.
President-elect Donald Trump has called the Afghanistan withdrawal a “humiliation” and “the most embarrassing day in the history of our country,” though the legal basis for treason charges remains unclear as military officers were following orders from President Biden.
A 2022 independent review by the Special Inspector General for Afghanistan Reconstruction attributed blame for the chaotic withdrawal to both the Trump and Biden administrations, noting missteps in planning and execution.
Trump had initially reached an agreement with the Taliban in 2020 to withdraw U.S. forces, releasing 5,000 Taliban prisoners and committing to troop withdrawal. The Biden administration followed through but overestimated the Afghan military’s capacity to resist the Taliban.
The transition team is exploring the possibility of recalling commanders to active duty for potential charges, though lesser charges are more likely than treason. The aim is to set a precedent, according to report.
Former officials from Trump’s first administration have voiced concerns about his past decisions, including the troop withdrawal from Syria and proposals to deploy active-duty troops domestically, warning against policies that might compromise national security.
The U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan ended a 20-year war but highlighted planning failures and accountability issues. The chaotic exit strained global trust, leaving Afghanistan in crisis and raising critical questions for future U.S. foreign policy and military strategy.
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