The investigation revealed there were significant failures within multiple bureaus at the State Department, as well as at the embassy.
By Cong. Michael McCaul
Texas Insider Report: (WASHINGTON, D.C.) – The Afghanistan withdrawal will remain a stain on the Biden-Harris administration’s legacy for decades to come. On Monday, I will release a report on my three-year-long investigation into the administration’s deadly Afghanistan withdrawal. President Biden and Vice President Harris will no longer be able to sweep their unmitigated disaster of epic proportions under the rug. My report will ensure key Biden-Harris administration officials are finally held accountable for their role in this deadly withdrawal.
This report will serve as an indictment of the administration’s refusal to properly prepare for the withdrawal, their cold indifference to the safety and security of U.S. personnel on the ground during the emergency evacuation, and their culpability in the deaths of 13 U.S. servicemembers who were killed in the Abbey Gate terrorist attack.
It will also lay out how the Biden-Harris administration perpetrated a vast coverup, lying to the American people at all stages of the withdrawal, from before the go-to-zero order until today.
It will also lay out how the Biden-Harris administration perpetrated a vast coverup, lying to the American people at all stages of the withdrawal, from before the go-to-zero order until today.The administration’s failed foreign policy started with the catastrophic Afghanistan withdrawal. It damaged American credibility, emboldened our adversaries, and allowed the Taliban to transform Afghanistan into a terrorist safe haven.
Subpoenaing Secretary Blinken for His Refusal to Provide Answers on His Role in the Afghanistan Withdrawal
Since May, I’ve made it clear to Secretary of State Antony Blinken that he will be required to appear before my committee this September and testify on the findings in our upcoming report on the botched Afghanistan withdrawal.
His continued refusal forced me to issue a subpoena this last week.
As Secretary of State throughout the withdrawal, he was entrusted to lead these efforts and secure the safe evacuations of American citizens and our Afghan allies. In testimony before the committee, current and former State Department officials confirmed that he served as the final decision-maker for the State Department on the withdrawal and the evacuation.
This catastrophic withdrawal and its devastating consequences rest largely on his shoulders.
The investigation revealed there were significant failures within multiple bureaus at the State Department, as well as at the embassy. As the head of the State Department, Secretary Blinken is the only person who can speak on behalf of the Department as a whole on our report and the recommendations we have made.
It is vital we hear from the head of the department as we finalize our legislative efforts. And with the limited time on the calendar, we need to begin that process now – not after the election.
If Secretary Blinken fails to appear before my committee on September 19th and provide answers to our Gold Star families, servicemembers, and the American public, then I will ensure he faces contempt charges.
He would be the first secretary of state to ever be held in contempt of Congress.
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Congressman Michael McCaul represents Texas' 10th Congressional District, which stretches from Lake Travis outside of Austin to the Brazos Valley and includes: Austin, Bastrop, Brazos, Burleson, Colorado, Fayette, Grimes, Lee, Madison, Travis, Washington, Waller and Williamson Counties. He currently serves as Chairman of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, and previously – prior to being term-limited as chairman under the House of Representatives Rules – served as the Chair of the House Homeland Security Committee during the 113th, 115th and 116th Congresses.
