President Donald Trump has turned his attention to the withdrawal of U.S. forces from Afghanistan during his 2024 campaign. He intends to scrutinize the Biden administration’s decisions, pledging to hold those accountable for the outcomes.
On October 19, 2026, at 8:27 p.m. EDT, it was reported that Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth had attended a White House ceremony the previous year. The event honored the families of 13 U.S. service members who lost their lives during the 2021 withdrawal from Afghanistan. This happened under the Biden administration.
Sources indicate that both current and former leaders in the U.S. military are preparing for the Trump administration to release its analysis of the 2021 withdrawal. The review’s release could occur as early as this month, and it is expected to reignite discussions about the final days of the 20-year war. This comes at a significant time, just before the midterm elections.