President Biden's preemptive pardon of Gen. Mark Milley has ignited a firestorm of debate, particularly concerning the tumultuous 2021 withdrawal from Afghanistan. Milley accepted the pardon, expressing his desire to avoid future battles focused on "retribution." However, this hasn't appeased critics in Congress who remain committed to holding him accountable for the withdrawal's perceived failures.
Key questions linger about the withdrawal timeline, specifically why the military exit preceded the complete evacuation of civilians. The withdrawal, which resulted in the loss of 13 American service members, has been labeled a "strategic failure" by Milley himself. During a 2024 Foreign Affairs Committee hearing, Milley attributed delays in the Noncombatant Evacuation Operations (NEO) to the State Department, while simultaneously commending the military's performance.
The NEO order wasn't issued until mid-August 2021, a mere two weeks before the final withdrawal deadline set by President Biden. Milley deemed this delay a critical factor contributing to the chaotic final days of the operation. Expert opinions differ on the division of responsibility between the State Department and the Department of Defense regarding civilian evacuations and military withdrawals.
In June 2021, Milley testified before Congress, rejecting comparisons between the Afghanistan withdrawal and the fall of Saigon. He asserted that the Taliban lacked the strength and capabilities of the North Vietnamese Army. The preemptive pardons issued by Biden encompassed not only Milley but also Dr. Anthony Fauci and members of the January 6th Committee. Milley expressed gratitude for the pardon, emphasizing his desire to avoid future conflicts and protect his family and colleagues from potential repercussions.
Critics, including Jerry Dunleavy, former lead investigator for the House Foreign Affairs Committee's Afghanistan inquiry, have sharply criticized Milley's assessments and predictions related to both the Afghanistan and Ukraine conflicts. They point to Milley's downplaying of the similarities between the fall of Saigon and Kabul, his overestimation of Afghan forces, and his underestimation of the Taliban's control and advance. Furthermore, they highlight his inaccurate prediction of a swift Russian victory in Ukraine.
