Trump Orders Pentagon To Withdraw 2500 Soldiers From Afghanistan and Iraq

Newly appointed Secretary of Defense, Christopher Miller, announced that President Donald Trump has ordered the Pentagon to remove soldiers from the Middle East.

There are approximately 4,500 soldiers in Afganistan and 3,000 in Iraq. President Trump wants 2,500 soldiers removed from each region by mid-January.

During a press conference at the Pentagon, Miller said: “This decision by the president is based on continuous engagement with his national security cabinet over the past several months, including ongoing discussions with me and my colleagues across the United States government.”

Since 2001, troops have been deployed all over the Middle East to fight against terrorism. According to the Department of Defense, between October 7, 2001, through December 31, 2004,  2,218 soldiers died in Operation Enduring Freedom. Between March 19, 2003, through August 31, 2010, 4,431 soldiers were killed in Operation Iraqi Freedom.

National Security Advisor Robert O’Brien said during a press conference at the White House that “four years ago, President Trump ran on a promise to put a stop to America’s endless wars.” It seems as if President Trump may try to make good on his promise. In February, a conditional agreement was forged between the Taliban and the United States. The Taliban has continued to attack Afganistan forces, disregarding the peace deal that was signed.

A few Congressmen have spoken out about the withdraw. Senator Mitch McConnell warned that Congress would not support Trump’s demand to withdraw troops.

House Armed Services Committee ranking member Mac Thornberry believes that withdrawing troops is a mistake and will put America in a compromising situation.

“I believe that these additional reductions of American troops from terrorist areas are a mistake. Further reductions in Afghanistan will also undercut negotiations there; the Taliban has done nothing – met no condition – that would justify this cut,” Thornberry said in a statement to reporters on Tuesday. “As long as there are threats to Americans and American national security in the world, the U.S. must be vigilant, strong, and engaged in order to safeguard our people and fulfill our duty under the Constitution.”