Donald Rumsfeld, who as Secretary of Defense under Bush Jr declared that Saddam Hussein had weapons of mass destruction, leading to the Iraq War, has died age 88.
In a statement on Twitter, his family announced the passing of Rumsfeld, who they described as “an American statesman and devoted husband, father, grandfather, and great grandfather.” Rumsfeld, who has died at aged 88, was in Taos, New Mexico, at the time of death. “History may remember him for his extraordinary accomplishments over six decades of public service, but for those who knew him best and whose lives were forever changed as a result, we will remember his unwavering love for his wife Joyce, his family and friends, and the integrity he brought to a life dedicated to country,” the statement read.
A statement from the family of Donald Rumsfeld: pic.twitter.com/AlKYxVvqgF
— Donald Rumsfeld (@RumsfeldOffice) June 30, 2021
Rumsfeld served as Secretary of Defense on two occasions, first under President Ford, and then President George W. Bush from 2001 to 2006, making him both the youngest and second-oldest person to have served in that position. During his time with Bush, he presided over the invasion of Afghanistan, and claimed that Saddam Hussein had weapons of mass destruction (WMDs), prompting the invasion of Iraq, eventually leading to the takeover of ISIS, massive instability in the region and the deaths of thousands of American troops. Despite Rumsfeld’s repeated declarations, no evidence for such weapons were ever found.
Rumsfeld was majorly criticized for ignoring advice regarding the pre-invasion assessment of Iraq put forward by General Eric Shiseki, who said that hundreds of thousands of allied troops would be required to stabilize the nation after the regime was removed, another potential major error in the conflict. He was eventually forced to step down from his post as Secretary of Defense in 2006.
Following the 2020 election, along with the other former Secretaries of Defense, he attacked President Trump over unsubstantiated rumors that he would use the military to investigate potential voter fraud. In 2008, Wikileaks leaked the attendee list of the globalist Bohemian Grove ceremony – Rumsfeld, among with Nancy Pelosi, George Bush Sr, and many others, were among those attending.