CME Backs Hegseth’s Investigation into Biden’s Afghanistan Withdrawal

By CME Press Room | Published April 20, 2025

The Coalition for Military Excellence (CME), a national organization dedicated to advocating for veterans and military excellence in the U.S. armed forces, issued the following statement after Secretary Pete Hegseth launched a new investigation into the Biden administration’s disastrous withdrawal of American forces from Afghanistan:

“CME strongly commends Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth for launching a comprehensive review into the catastrophic withdrawal from Afghanistan in 2021. This decisive action reflects the leadership, integrity, and commitment to accountability that our warfighters, and the American people, deserve. 

“The tragic events of August 2021 – which resulted in the deaths of 13 brave U.S. service members and left countless American citizens and allies stranded – remain one of the darkest moments in recent history. Despite repeated warnings and opportunities to mitigate the collapse, the Biden administration failed to secure a safe and orderly exit, abandoning critical planning and prioritizing political optics over operational security. The consequences of these decisions were fatal, and the damage it caused to America’s standing on the global stage only served to embolden our enemies.

“This investigation is needed now more than ever, especially in light of the significant concerns that emerged during President Biden’s time in office regarding his cognitive decline and decision-making capacity. These issues cast a long shadow over the withdrawal from Afghanistan and underscore the need to fully understand how leadership failures at the highest levels contributed to the chaos and loss of life.

“By directing a full and transparent investigation into this failure, Secretary Hegseth is not only honoring those who made the ultimate sacrifice but also restoring faith in the Department of Defense’s ability to learn from mistakes and uphold the values of military excellence. His charge to evaluate prior reports, examine the decision-making process, and demand accountability represents the type of leadership required to ensure that such a preventable tragedy is never repeated. This investigation is needed now more than ever.”

The Coalition for Military Excellence (CME) is a national organization dedicated to advocating for veterans and military excellence in the U.S. armed forces. CME is committed to combating policies and practices that undermine military excellence and threaten veteran support services. CME’s mission is to ensure the United States military remains focused on our nation's security through merit, strength, and excellence, while advocating for veteran rights, benefits, and resources.

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