Apples and oranges (pun intended) my friend. You're kidding yourself if you don't think 45 would have carpet bombed those rats when they emerged from their caves to take over the major cities in Afghanistan.
Just delaying the inevitable, if the Afghan army refuses to fight. More American lives would be the cost.
Kabul was taken without a single shot being fired. These deals were made ahead of time when #45 pledged to withdraw troops.
The only reason the Taliban aren't engaging with the US is because they know you're on the way out.