The Biden administration has spent the past 12 months misleading the American people to avoid responsibility for its failed withdrawal from Afghanistan. The administration has rebuffed congressional requests for information and continues to deny the American public, and especially Afghanistan war veterans, much-needed answers about how the withdrawal spiraled into unmitigated chaos and ultimately caused the re-emergence of al-Qaeda in its heartland. Afghanistan. This is a failure of leadership and an abdication of the responsibilities of the commander-in-chief.
During those chaotic weeks last August, the world saw horrific images coming out of Kabul. Hundreds of American citizens fled their country behind enemy lines, relying on personal contacts to help them get out. Billions of dollars worth of US-supplied military equipment and weapons given to the Afghan government are now missing and in the possession of the Taliban and other bad actors. The Taliban brutally beat and murdered innocent civilians. Desperate Afghans clung to departing C-17s only to fall to their deaths. The confusion and chaos caused by the Biden administration led to the tragic killing of 13 US service members – the single deadliest day for US forces in Afghanistan since 2011.
Trying to justify his tumultuous exit, President Joe Biden claimed last year that al-Qaeda had “gone” from Afghanistan. However, less than a year later, the United States rightfully killed al Qaeda’s top leader, Ayman al-Zawahri, during an anti-terrorist operation in Kabul. However, this not only underscores the extent of the Biden administration’s failures in Afghanistan, but is evidence that Afghanistan is once again becoming a haven for terrorists.
US ALLIES STILL WAITING TO LEAVE AFGHANISTAN A YEAR AFTER WITHDRAWAL These strategic failures are too serious to ignore. That’s why House Republicans are committed to pursuing answers to Biden’s disastrous withdrawal from Afghanistan. As part of those efforts, this week Republicans on the House Foreign Affairs Committee will release a comprehensive report shedding light on the devastating flaws of Biden’s debacle in Afghanistan. Smoke rises from an explosion outside the airport in Kabul, Afghanistan, Thursday, Aug. 26, 2021. The explosion occurred outside the Kabul airport, where thousands of people have gathered as they try to escape the Taliban’s takeover of Afghanistan. Officials did not give a casualty figure, but a witness said several people appeared to have been killed or injured on Thursday. (AP Photo/Wali Sabawoon) (AP Photo/Wali Sabawoon) The report details how the Biden administration made decisions based more on politics and panic than a proper plan. In addition, it will highlight the numerous shortcomings surrounding the withdrawal, including the arbitrary schedule, refusal to heed the advice of military personnel, misleading statements made publicly by administration officials, refusal to secure Kabul, lack of a meaningful vetting process for individuals. seeking to leave Afghanistan and the lack of record of US military equipment left behind for use by the Taliban. In addition, the report raises more key questions that require additional investigation, such as how decisions were made in the White House about the withdrawal schedule, the decision to withdraw troops in front of civilians and diplomats, the absence of adequate plans for the evacuation of Americans and Afghanistan our allies who served alongside the US military, the decision to leave Bagram Air Force Base, the loss of Kabul and this administration’s dealings with the Taliban. CLICK HERE TO GET THE OPINION NEWSLETTER To get answers to these important questions, House Republicans have sent dozens of letters demanding detailed answers from the American people. The Biden administration, however, continues to ignore these requests. The administration refuses to provide Congress with adequate answers as to why officials misled Congress and the American people about the dire situation in Afghanistan in the months before and during the withdrawal, and why the administration did so little to evacuate Americans. Afghan allies lead Taliban takeover. The Biden administration also owes answers about why certain decisions were made, such as outsourcing Kabul security to the Taliban at the expense of American security. The contradictions in the administration’s comments are too stark to ignore. We cannot allow partisan actors to continue to politicize our institutions by withholding information and manipulating the facts, especially when it comes to important national security decisions. We must restore trust with our citizens and allies by being transparent about the grave mistakes that led to the horrific withdrawal. House Republicans, if given the chance to win a majority in the next Congress, will demand answers, hold open hearings, and finally provide the American people with the transparency they deserve.
CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP After 20 years of war, Americans – especially our military – deserved to have a proper plan to reduce our military presence in Afghanistan. Unfortunately, instead of developing a coherent strategy that would protect Americans and prevent the resurgence of al Qaeda, the unseemly departure of the Biden administration a year ago was shameful, destructive and deadly. House Republicans will hold the Biden administration accountable on behalf of the American people, and we will honor the sacrifices made by so many American families during the 20-year conflict in Afghanistan. Republican Congressman Michael McCaul represents Texas’ 10th congressional district and is the ranking member on the House Foreign Affairs Committee. Republican Congressman Mike Rogers represents Alabama’s 3rd Congressional District. He is a ranking member of the House Internal Security Committee and a member of the Armed Services Committee. Republican Mike Turner represents Ohio’s 10th congressional district. He is the ranking member of the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence. Republican James Comer represents Kentucky’s 1st congressional district, where he serves on the Oversight and Reform Committee. CLICK HERE TO READ MORE FROM HOUSE MINORITY LEADER KEVIN McCARTHY Republican Kevin McCarthy represents California in the United States House of Representatives, where he serves as Minority Leader