US House Representatives Republicans are set to release a report on Monday condemning Democratic President Joe Biden’s administration for its management of the chaotic and fatal US withdrawal from Afghanistan in August 2021.
The report, spearheaded by Representative Michael McCaul, chair of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, accuses the administration of delaying the evacuation decision until August 16, failing to coordinate effectively between departments and officials, and mishandling the paperwork for Afghan civilians eligible to leave.
The investigation, which took three years, argues that America’s global credibility suffered significantly due to the abandonment of Afghan allies and the resulting Taliban reprisals. It also claims the incident has left a lasting moral injury on America’s veterans and current service members.
The withdrawal has become a contentious issue ahead of the November 5 US presidential election. Republican nominee Donald Trump has used the situation to attack Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris, blaming them for the deaths at Kabul airport’s Abbey Gate, where a suicide attack killed 13 Americans on August 26, 2021.
Democrats counter that some responsibility lies with Trump, who initiated the withdrawal process with a 2020 deal with the Taliban. They argue that Trump’s policies led to a reduced troop presence and that Biden’s administration was left with a challenging situation.
McCaul has sought testimony from Secretary of State Antony Blinken, issuing multiple subpoenas as part of the investigation.
