News Donald Rumsfeld dies at 88. The former defense secretary oversaw Iraq, Afghanistan wars June 30, 2021 Tom Vanden Brook and Ella Lee, USA TODAY Comments Off on Donald Rumsfeld dies at 88. The former defense secretary oversaw Iraq, Afghanistan wars Donald Rumsfeld served under President George W. Bush and played a central role in post-9/11 wars against Saddam Hussein and Osama bin Laden.