PHOENIX — Donald Trump, speaking at his first major rally since being elected president for a second term, described the U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan as a “horrible horror show” and vowed to restore the nation’s military strength.
Addressing a crowd at the Turning Point USA event in Phoenix on Sunday, Mr. Trump criticized the Biden administration’s handling of foreign policy and military operations, promising to reverse what he called its “failures.”
The chaotic exit from Afghanistan, Mr. Trump said, left billions of dollars in military equipment behind, cost 13 U.S. service members their lives, and inflicted severe injuries on dozens more. “Nobody ever mentions, and I mention because I love them … 48 soldiers that were horrifically injured,” he said, adding that the sacrifices of these individuals must not be forgotten.
Highlighting his past achievements in strengthening the military, Mr. Trump lamented the losses incurred during the Afghanistan withdrawal and criticized the current state of U.S. military readiness. “I rebuilt our entire military at a level that it had never been,” he said. “Unfortunately, we gave a big chunk of it to Afghanistan. Can you believe that one? What a terrible thing.”
He recalled inheriting what he described as a depleted military during his first term, noting that a general once informed him, “Sir, we’re very low, almost no ammunition.” Mr. Trump said his administration acted swiftly to rebuild stockpiles, emphasizing the need for the United States to focus on its own defense.
“We have to take care of ourselves. We have to protect ourselves. And we have to make our country great,” he declared.
Despite his strong criticism of the withdrawal, Mr. Trump has not outlined a specific plan for Afghanistan or how he intends to deal with the Taliban. However, he has declared the Doha Agreement—signed during his previous administration—null and void.
Shah Mahmood Miakhel, the former deputy minister of defense in Afghanistan’s previous government, suggested that any future Trump policy could restrict aid to the Taliban and Afghans, but emphasized that significant changes would depend on evolving global and regional events.
In earlier remarks, Mr. Trump demanded the resignation of all military officials involved in the Afghanistan withdrawal, stating he expects their resignation letters on his desk by Inauguration Day. With less than a month until he takes office, questions remain about how his administration will handle Afghanistan and its relationship with the Taliban.
