U.S Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth launched a scathing critique of the Biden administration’s handling of the U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan, calling it a “disastrous and tragic failure” with enduring global consequences. Speaking at the “Student Action Summit” in Tampa, Hegseth asserted that the collapse in Afghanistan was not a reflection of American military weakness, but rather the result of deep-rooted political mismanagement at the highest levels. “This was not a failure of our brave troops,” he said. “It was a failure of leadership in Washington.”
Hegseth, a former Army officer and prominent conservative voice, warned that the repercussions of the chaotic 2021 withdrawal continue to undermine U.S. credibility abroad. “We left behind allies, abandoned billions in equipment, and surrendered strategic ground to enemies who now use it to their advantage,” he added.
In addition to foreign policy concerns, Hegseth turned his attention to domestic issues, particularly the crisis of illegal immigration. “My generation spent 20 years defending borders in Iraq and Afghanistan,” he stated. “Now, it’s time we defend our own.”
The address drew strong reactions from attendees, many of whom applauded Hegseth’s remarks as a bold call for accountability and a shift in national priorities.
Hegseth’s comments are the latest in a growing chorus of criticism aimed at the Biden administration’s foreign policy decisions, particularly those surrounding Afghanistan—an issue that remains politically potent in the run-up to the 2026 midterm elections.
