The Trump administration has a “duty” to hold it accountable to leaders involved in the failed withdrawal of Afghanistan, DoD spokesman Sean Parnell told Daily Callenor at a press conference Monday.
Parnell answered questions from the caller about whether the DOD would launch or promise to discipline the remaining leadership directly involved in Afghanistan’s withdrawal.
“We’re in the process of understanding what that investigation looks like,” Parnell said. (Related: “Personal Man Hunt”: Trump officials detail how the administration prioritized the capture of monastery gate terrorists.)
🚨 1st Defense Department. Press Briefing🚨
Daily Caller Reporter @evannatta1776: “Does the Defense Department commit to fire? Are there any remaining leaderships directly involved in Afghanistan’s withdrawal?”
Second Parnell: “We have a duty to Americans… pic.twitter.com/xwhlxtgs3x
– Daily Caller (@dailycaller) March 17, 2025
He described his experiences in Afghanistan and detailed how former President Joe Biden’s withdrawal made him “terrifying.”
“I was terrified in many ways,” he said. “You’re thinking about the time, blood, treasures and life in America that have been lost in Afghanistan for 20 years. You’re thinking about it for a second. I’m 43 years old and this country has been at war in Afghanistan for 20 years.” (Related: ‘It’s Burche*t’: Marines in the heart of a new Afghan investigation accusing the Pentagon of hiding evidence)
“For almost half of my life, this country was at war in Afghanistan,” he emphasized, adding how he witnessed the war firsthand.
“We bleed red on the ground in Afghanistan,” he said. “I saw my men support the country of gratitude, support the mission there, and see Afghanistan surrender as it was, and see my men. [it] It was very difficult. ”
When asked about Afghanistan, this response was retracted. @seanparnellatsd It’s all!
Accountability is here! pic.twitter.com/tcnjgryb3n
– DOD Rapid Response (@dodresponse) March 17, 2025
The gate bombing of the monastery during its retreat killed 13 Americans and 170 Afghan civilians. The Trump administration, working with Pakistan’s intelligence reporting agency, captured a planner suspected of bombing in March.
“Do those people take responsibility?” Parnell continued. “I think we have an obligation to hold the American people and the fighters that fought in Afghanistan in some way accountable for leadership.” (Related: “White Rage”: General Mark Millie leaves behind a checkered heritage)
“Now we don’t know what it will look like now to explain the leadership of Afghanistan’s withdrawal,” he said. “If you have a private life that has lost sensitive items, you can bet that if you lose your night vision goggles and lose your weapon you will be held responsible for your private life. The same standards must apply to senior military leaders.”
Former Co-Chief of Staff (JCOS) General Mark Millie was involved in plans for the withdrawal, and his security clearance was revoked by Trump in January.
