Donald Trump has provoked outrage among MPs and veterans after claiming Nato troops stayed away from the front line in Afghanistan. The US president made his comments in an interview with Fox News, reiterating his suggestion that Nato would not support America if asked. He said: “They’ll say they sent some troops to Afghanistan … and they did, they stayed a little back, a little off the front lines.”
The remarks drew condemnation from across the political spectrum, with critics pointing to the 457 British deaths in Afghanistan and highlighting Mr Trump’s avoidance of military service in Vietnam. Calvin Bailey, a Labour MP and former RAF officer who served alongside US special operations units in Afghanistan, told the Press Association Mr Trump’s claim “bears no resemblance to the reality experienced by those of us who served there”.
Conservative MP Ben Obese-Jecty, who served in Afghanistan as a captain in the Royal Yorkshire Regiment, said it was “sad to see our nation’s sacrifice, and that of our Nato partners, held so cheaply by the president of the United States”. Tan Dhesi, chairman of the Commons Defence Committee, said the president’s comments were “appalling and an insult to our brave British servicemen and women”.
Foreign Affairs Committee chairwoman Dame Emily Thornberry described them as “so much more than a mistake”, and “an insult” to the families of those who had died. Former soldier and author Stephen Stewart said: “Trump’s comments are as offensive as they are inaccurate. It’s hugely ironic that someone who allegedly dodged the draft for the Vietnam War should make such a disgraceful statement.”
Liberal Democrat leader Sir Ed Davey said on X: “Trump avoided military service 5 times. How dare he question their sacrifice.” The UK suffered the second highest number of military deaths in the Afghanistan conflict, behind the US, which saw 2,461 deaths. America’s allies suffered 1,160 deaths in total.
