'In the aftermath of the withdrawal, America’s credibility on the world stage was severely damaged after we abandoned Afghan allies to Taliban reprisal killings — the people we had promised to protect.'
By Cong. Michael McCaul
Texas Insider Report: (WASHINGTON, D.C.) – This week, I released a historic, comprehensive report detailing my three-year investigation into the Biden-Harris administration’s botched withdrawal from Afghanistan. My investigation revealed the administration had the information and opportunity to take necessary steps to plan for the inevitable collapse of the Afghan government, so we could safely evacuate U.S. personnel, American citizens, legal permanent residents, and our brave Afghan allies.
At each step of the way, however, the administration picked optics over security.
As a result of the administration’s failure to plan for all contingencies, the U.S. government conducted an emergency evacuation without the necessary personnel, supplies, and equipment. The administration’s dereliction of duty placed U.S. servicemembers and U.S. State Department personnel in mortal danger, where the Taliban – our sworn enemy – became the first line of defense. This led to the brutal terrorist attack murdering 13 U.S. servicemembers and 170 Afghans on August 26, 2021, injuring 45 U.S. servicemembers and countless Afghans.
The fact is that this was preventable.
In the aftermath of the withdrawal, America’s credibility on the world stage was severely damaged after we abandoned Afghan allies to Taliban reprisal killings — the people of Afghanistan we had promised to protect. And the moral injury to America’s veterans and those still serving remains a stain on this administration’s legacy. Troublingly, U.S. national security was degraded as Afghanistan once again became a haven for terrorists, including al Qaeda and ISIS-K. Just three months ago, we found out ISIS-K illegally crossed our southern border and into the United States.- Read my full report here.
It was an honor to have many of them standing by my side as we released our report’s findings in an effort to ensure nothing like this ever happens again.
After my report’s release, Speaker Johnson hosted a ceremony honoring the sacrifice of the 13 servicemembers by awarding their parents the Congressional Gold Medal. It was a privilege to attend this ceremony.
This distinction is long overdue and well deserved. I will never forget the bravery and service of the 13 heroes who paid the ultimate price.
Shamefully, not a single person in the Biden-Harris administration has been held accountable for this catastrophic failure of epic proportions. In fact, several senior officials responsible for this disaster were actually promoted.
That ends now.
Next week, my committee will mark up a resolution finding Secretary of State Antony Blinken in contempt of Congress for defying a lawful subpoena, with his refusal to testify on my report and his role in the chaotic and deadly withdrawal from Afghanistan. I have told him since May of this year he will be expected to appear or there will be repercussions. And I meant it.
In addition, I anticipate the House will hold a vote later this month on a resolution condemning the actions of senior Biden-Harris administration officials most responsible for the death and destruction in Afghanistan, including President Biden, Vice President Harris, Secretaries Austin and Blinken, National Security Advisor Sullivan, and many more.
This was one of the many recommendations I made in my report, and I’m determined to see it through.
The American people must know there will be accountability when their government fails them, as the Biden-Harris administration did here.
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.
