‘S**t Show’: Mistaken Release of Letter Announcing Withdrawal from Iraq Triggers Mass Confusion, Panic

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The mistaken release of an apparent draft letter announcing U.S. troops were withdrawing from Iraq threw social media into mass confusion about the U.S. status in the country.

On Monday afternoon, social media and journalists starting spreading a letter purporting to announce a U.S. withdrawal from Iraq. Reporters worked to verify the letter, which was soon reported to be “legitimate.” However the story became much more confusing after it was THEN reported the letter was legitimate, but it was a draft letter that was not supposed to be sent out at all.

Defense Secretary Mark Esper further muddled the narrative when he said “There is no decision to leave, nor did we issue any plans to leave or prepare to leave.”

By the time the Department of Defense press secretary weighed in, it seemed to do little to clear up why the letter was released – or in fact why at all a draft letter announcing U.S. forces withdrawing was sent to the Iraqis.

There has been no change in US policy with regard to our force presence in Iraq. We continue to consult with the Iraqi government regarding the defeat-ISIS mission and efforts to support the Iraqi Security Forces.

— Alyssa Farah (@PentagonPresSec) January 6, 2020

A number of commentators pointed out the mass uncertainty, confusion and near-panic that was created by the release of a letter that wasn’t supposed to be released and how it undercuts a face of strength President Donald Trump has been trying to project in the wake of a strike that killed Qasem Soleimani and greatly escalated tensions with Iran.

Seems like we’re getting the answer to the question of whether there was a long term, post Soleimani strategy… https://t.co/KbVy8sZKaK

— Bianna Golodryga (@biannagolodryga) January 6, 2020

The incompetence of this defies description. https://t.co/6tNnKNTDi3

— Jonathan Swan (@jonathanvswan) January 6, 2020

This is fine https://t.co/GbnkrhuYO5

— Travis Fain (@TravisFain) January 6, 2020

How does a DoD letter, unsigned and unapproved, accidentally get sent to another country’s head of government?

— Seth Mandel (@SethAMandel) January 6, 2020

Wait… we sent the Iraqi military a letter suggesting we were leaving the country but it was actually just a draft letter and a mistake?

— Josh Dawsey (@jdawsey1) January 6, 2020

The incompetency of this Administration is truly something to behold. https://t.co/GNcksi0j0E

— Bobby L. Rush (@RepBobbyRush) January 6, 2020

I remember when the people running our government weren’t totally and completely incompetent. https://t.co/cQac1O0SyI

— Neera Tanden (@neeratanden) January 6, 2020

Nobody on planet earth knows what or whom to believe in this administration. https://t.co/EhdkThwdrX

— Samantha Power (@SamanthaJPower) January 6, 2020

Wow. Letter sent to Iraqi Defense Ministry saying US would withdraw troops from Iraq was a DRAFT https://t.co/Hq7u4hPrD6

— Robbin Simmons (@RobbinSimmons7) January 6, 2020

Welp… https://t.co/lDq5KFQ6Jn

— Daily Caller (@DailyCaller) January 6, 2020

Trump’s top national defense officials at work. What a s**tshow. https://t.co/pp1wsvIbtE

— Chris Bury (@ChrisBuryNews) January 6, 2020

Gee, ya think “the movement out of Iraq” and “We respect your sovereign decision to order our departure” might imply withdrawal? This sequence of messaging is such a reassurance that our leaders know wtf they’re doing. https://t.co/zdjkkaz8ze

— John Hausman (@JohnSHausman) January 6, 2020

embarrassing. https://t.co/UCzDkLJUdY

— Michael McFaul (@McFaul) January 6, 2020