President Donald Trump expressed intense criticism of retired General Mark Milley during a Cabinet meeting on Tuesday, July 8, 2025, calling the former Joint Chiefs of Staff Chairman “an idiot” for his approach to handling military equipment during the 2021 withdrawal from Afghanistan. Trump highlighted disagreements with Milley concerning the removal of American military assets from the region before U.S. forces exited the country.
Trump discussed a disagreement with Milley over the correct procedures for withdrawing from Afghanistan after nearly twenty years of U.S. military presence. Trump stated that he directed military leaders to remove all equipment, down to every screw, bolt, and nail. However, Milley reportedly contended that it would be more economical to leave the equipment behind instead of transporting it out of Afghanistan.
Trump recounted Milley’s reply to his orders, noting that the general proposed it would cost less to abandon the military hardware than to arrange for its removal. Trump said, “That’s when I knew he was an idiot.” Trump noted that he quickly recognized Milley’s judgment during their exchanges.
Trump’s criticisms extended beyond the equipment issue, characterizing the Afghanistan withdrawal as highly embarrassing for the United States. He described the withdrawal as possibly the most humiliating event in American history, emphasizing that while the U.S. should have exited Afghanistan, the method of departure was shameful and resulted in casualties. Trump clarified that his objections were not about ending the military engagement but about how it was executed.
The Taliban acquired approximately fifteen billion pounds worth of American military equipment during the chaotic withdrawal, according to a 2022 Department of Defense report. Military experts predicted that much of the seized materiel would not remain operational for extended periods without American maintenance and support.
Trump initially appointed Milley to lead the Joint Chiefs of Staff in 2019, and Milley served in this role until 2023. Their relationship deteriorated over time, particularly after Milley made controversial phone calls to his Chinese counterpart during the final weeks of Trump’s first presidency. These communications, occurring in October 2020 and January 2021, aimed to assure China that the United States would not launch attacks against them.
According to Bob Woodward’s book “War,” published in 2024, Milley previously described Trump as fascist to the core. During his retirement ceremony in 2023, Milley made pointed comments, stating that military personnel swear oaths to “the Constitution and the idea of America” and not to “wannabe dictators.”
Following his return to office, Trump and his administration have taken actions against Milley. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth revoked Milley’s security detail and clearance in January 2025, also initiating an investigation into the general’s actions to assess whether rank stripping would be justified. The Pentagon removed Milley’s official portraits, including his chairman’s portrait, which was taken down shortly after Trump’s inauguration on January 20.
Trump’s recent remarks coincided with Hegseth’s announcement of new investigations into the Afghanistan withdrawal. Hegseth stated that the Department of Defense must determine the facts surrounding the withdrawal, citing equipment losses and casualties as reasons for the inquiry.
Former President Joe Biden preemptively pardoned Milley in his final days in office, anticipating potential retaliation from the incoming Trump administration. Biden’s pardon covered potential prosecutions related to Milley’s service, though it remains uncertain whether the pardon would shield his military rank from administrative scrutiny.
The Trump administration has similarly revoked security protections for other former officials, such as former Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, former National Security Adviser John Bolton, former Iran envoy Brian Hook, and Dr. Anthony Fauci. Intelligence assessments indicate that Iran continues to pose threats against these individuals, especially following the 2020 killing of Iranian General Qassim Soleimani during Trump’s first term.
Milley’s situation has drawn comparisons to Soviet-style purges, with critics noting the unprecedented removal of a retired general’s portraits from the Pentagon. The defense community has largely remained silent on the treatment of the four-star general, with military organizations that typically advocate for officers choosing not to comment.
