Maryland Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin, Joint Chiefs Chairman General Mark Milley Alex Brandon - Pool/Getty Images
A group of 87 retired generals signed Monday a petition calling for Austin's and Milleys resignations.
They claimed that Austin and Milley should convince Biden against a rapid exit from Afghanistan.
In May, another letter was written by the same group, advancing a conspiracy theory for 2020 elections.
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In an open letter, 87 former US military generals demanded the resignations of Lloyd Austin, Defense Secretary, and Gen. Mark Milley (Chief of the Joint Chiefs of Staff), in protest at what they called a "disastrous" withdrawal of Afghanistan.
A group called Flag Officers 4 America wrote the letter. They describe themselves as retired US generals and admirals who defend the Constitution. In May, the group wrote an open letter, which appeared to support a false conspiracy theory. It questioned the results of the 2020 election and President Joe Biden's mental and physical health.
The group's most recent letter stated that Milley and Austin had shown "negligence" in performing their duties for the quick exit from Afghanistan. This has left Americans and Afghans loyal the US stranded and "de facto hostages by the Taliban."
"A fundamental principle of the military is to hold those in command accountable and responsible for their actions or inactions. This tragic and preventable disaster must be prevented at all levels," the letter stated.
General Kenneth F. McKenzie of the US Central Command stated Monday afternoon that more than 122,000 Afghan civilians had been evacuated by the US since July. However, thousands of Afghan allies remained trapped and dozens of Americans were still stranded.
According to the group, Austin and Milley should have opposed the quick exit and should have protested if they were unable to convince Biden otherwise.
"The CINC/President's principal military advisors, the SECDEF/CJCS should have strongly resisted this dangerous withdrawal." They should resign if they didn't do all they could to prevent the hasty withdrawal," the letter stated.
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"Conversely, if the CINC/President did everything they could to persuade them to delay leaving the country, without ensuring the safety and security of American citizens, then they should have resigned as a matter o conscience and public statement.
Insider asked for comment from the Department of Defense but they did not respond immediately.
Milley spoke out publicly about the insufficient intelligence that indicated that Afghanistan would fall to Taliban as quickly as it did.
The letter continued to state that "this disaster" would have "incalculable consequences" which include the death and torture of Afghans and irreparable damage to America's reputation.
Generals from the group also stated that it was "catastrophic” to see advanced military equipment fall into the hands American enemies. USA Today reported Monday that several million dollars worth of aircraft, armored vehicles and sophisticated defense systems had been left behind. Some of these systems were made inoperable prior to their departure.
McKenzie stated Monday that over 150 aircraft and vehicles had been permanently disabled by the US before they left Kabul, so that they couldn't be used again.
They also claimed that, "due to Afghanistan's weakness," enemies like Russia and China would "embolden to move against America" while terrorists "pass freely into our country" via US-Mexico borders.
Business Insider has the original article.
