House Republicans have released a report blaming President Joe Biden’s administration for the chaotic withdrawal of U.S. forces from Afghanistan in 2021. The report criticizes the administration for ignoring warnings about the rapid Taliban advance and failing to adequately plan for the safe evacuation of U.S. personnel and Afghan allies. While the report minimizes former President Donald Trump’s role in the situation, the White House argues Biden inherited a problematic withdrawal deal negotiated by Trump. Democrats also criticized the report for overlooking Trump’s part in the withdrawal. The GOP aims to use the issue in the upcoming election campaign.
Quick Read
- House Republicans Release Report on Afghanistan Withdrawal: The report criticizes the Biden administration for mishandling the U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan in 2021.
- Blames Biden for Chaotic Exit: GOP claims Biden ignored warnings and failed to plan for a safe evacuation of U.S. personnel and Afghan allies as the Taliban advanced.
- Minimizes Trump’s Role: The report downplays former President Donald Trump’s role in negotiating the 2020 withdrawal deal with the Taliban.
- White House Defends Biden: The Biden administration argues that Trump’s withdrawal agreement left the U.S. in a difficult position and Biden had limited options.
- Democrats Criticize GOP Report: Democrats contend the report ignores Trump’s contribution to the chaotic withdrawal and overemphasizes Biden’s responsibility.
- Election Campaign Issue: House Republicans plan to use the Afghanistan withdrawal as a key issue in the upcoming presidential campaign against Vice President Kamala Harris.
House GOP blame Biden for Afghanistan withdrawal failures in scathing report
NEWSLOOKS- WASHINGTON (AP) —
House Republicans have released a critical report blaming President Joe Biden’s administration for the chaotic and disastrous withdrawal of U.S. forces from Afghanistan in 2021. The report, produced after a lengthy investigation by the House Foreign Affairs Committee, minimizes former President Donald Trump’s role in the situation despite his administration negotiating the 2020 deal with the Taliban to withdraw troops. The GOP’s review focuses on the final months of U.S. military and civilian failures, accusing the Biden administration of ignoring warnings and prioritizing optics over security.
Republicans highlight that the Biden administration was warned about the rapid advance of the Taliban, yet failed to adequately plan for a safe evacuation of U.S. personnel, citizens, and Afghan allies. The report claims Biden relied heavily on National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan for decision-making, leaving military and civilian leaders out of the process. Testimony from former officials, including retired generals and diplomats, underscored the lack of planning and vulnerability faced by U.S. embassy staff in Kabul as the Taliban seized control of the capital.
The White House dismissed the GOP’s findings, arguing the Biden administration inherited an untenable situation from Trump’s 2020 deal with the Taliban. House Democrats also criticized the report for glossing over Trump’s role in the withdrawal.
Some highlights of the report include critiques of Biden’s decision-making process, the failure of the Taliban to adhere to the withdrawal deal, and the dangers faced by U.S. personnel on the ground. Republicans claim the report is intended to provide accountability and prevent similar missteps in the future.
The partisan review arrives as Trump and his GOP allies seek to make the Afghanistan withdrawal a central campaign issue, despite earlier independent reviews that found responsibility for the collapse of Afghanistan spanned several administrations, including Trump’s.
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