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In a scathing open letter, Representative Lauren Boebert (R-CO) put President Joe Biden on notice over his “lack of leadership” during the withdrawal from Afghanistan.
Boebert was responding to the news that thirteen American service members were killed in a Taliban attack just days after the U.S. withdrew from Afghanistan.
“The lives of thirteen American families will never be the same – will never be made whole – because of your incompetence and the grotesque negligence of your subordinates,” Boebert wrote.
Boebert went on to say that Biden’s withdrawal from Afghanistan was “a national embarrassment.”
“From February 2020 until August 26, 2021, not a single American servicemember had lost their life in Afghanistan – a period of eighteen months. Five days before we withdrew from Afghanistan, thirteen courageous marines and sailors offered for the posterity of our nation their full measure of devotion,” Boebert continued.
“Your lack of leadership during the withdrawal from Afghanistan was a national embarrassment,” Boebert continued. “You failed to negotiate a peace deal and abandoned our ally, the Afghan government. You caved to the Taliban and put a timeline on our withdrawal, telegraphing to the enemy that all they had to do was wait us out.”
Boebert concluded her letter by saying that Biden “owes these families an explanation” and that he “failed them.”
“I hope and pray that you will take responsibility for your actions and work to rectify the situation. Our servicemembers deserve better,” Boebert wrote.
House Republicans released a scathing report criticizing the Biden administration’s handling of the withdrawal process.
The report is the latest in a series of scathing critiques from House Republicans of the Biden administration’s handling of the Afghanistan withdrawal.
According to the report, only 36 State Department officials were present at the Kabul airport to process Afghans who were trying to evacuate, despite the department’s claims that they had surged resources to handle the crowds desperately trying to flee.
The report also criticizes the administration for not providing adequate security for U.S. personnel and assets in Afghanistan, and for failing to adequately plan for the withdrawal.
“The Biden Administration’s hasty withdrawal from Afghanistan has put our national security at risk and abandoned the Afghan people,” said House Foreign Affairs Committee Ranking Member Michael McCaul. “This report details the many ways in which the Administration’s withdrawal has been mismanaged, including leaving our diplomats and military personnel vulnerable and putting American lives at risk.”
The administration has defended its handling of the withdrawal, saying that it was necessary to bring an end to America’s longest war, regardless of the possible repercussions that may come with it. According to President Joe Biden, the withdrawal was inevitable and had to happen one way or another.
“After more than two decades of war, it is time for American troops to come home,” said White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki. “The President is committed to ensuring that our withdrawal is safe, orderly, and coordinated with our allies and partners.”
The report is the latest in a series of scathing critiques from House Republicans of the Biden administration’s handling of the Afghanistan withdrawal.
