Special Poll
GOP Releases Critical Report of Biden Withdrawal from Afghanistan: A new report from Republicans on the House Foreign Affairs Committee criticizes President Biden for mishandling the U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan, claiming it was rushed and led to unnecessary deaths. They Left Out Kamala from it and that is a Big win for her.
Biden’s Determination to Exit: The report suggests that Biden’s decision to withdraw wasn’t based on the security situation or advice from allies, but his long-held belief that the U.S. should no longer be in Afghanistan.
Lack of Preparation and Planning: The Biden administration is accused of ignoring warning signs that Kabul would fall quickly to the Taliban and delaying evacuation plans, which contributed to the chaos during the exit.
White House Response: The White House fired back, accusing Chair Michael McCaul of cherry-picking facts and blaming the Trump administration’s deal with the Taliban for setting up an “untenable” situation.
Trump’s Role in the Withdrawal: The GOP report downplays the role of the Trump administration, which negotiated the original Doha Agreement with the Taliban to have U.S. forces leave by May 2021, setting the stage for the final withdrawal.
Debate Preparation: The report is released just before a scheduled debate between Vice President Harris and former President Trump, with Republicans using the Afghanistan exit as a key talking point against the Biden-Harris administration.
Quick Fall of Kabul: The withdrawal saw Kabul fall much faster than anticipated, with tragic images of people attempting to flee the country and the deaths of 13 U.S. service members during a suicide bombing at the Abbey Gatenear the airport.
GOP Criticisms: The report largely blames Biden for the withdrawal, suggesting the administration delayed evacuation plans over concerns about the optics and the potential chaos of calling for a noncombatant evacuation operation (NEO).
Divided Government Response: Republicans criticize the Biden administration’s slow response and lack of planning, while Democrats, including Ranking Member Gregory Meeks, argue that Republicans are politicizing the withdrawal and downplaying Trump’s role in brokering the original deal with the Taliban.
The Ongoing Investigation: McCaul has subpoenaed Secretary of State Antony Blinken for further discussion, with Republicans planning to continue their probe into the withdrawal even as Biden’s term winds down.
State Department Defense: The State Department defended its role in the evacuation, praising the workforce for their efforts in the chaotic final days and accusing House Republicans of spreading false information for political gain.