Republicans call key witnesses with ‘critical’ information on Afghanistan withdrawal to testify
Biden administration accused of hiding ‘critical’ information about deadly withdrawal from Afghanistan: Republicans call key witnesses to testify about disaster that killed 13 US servicemen, abandoned civilians and allies
- “It is critical that they speak to the committee without delay,” chairman Michael McCaul said Monday
- The State Department missed a deadline last week to hand over an important document related to the August 2021 withdrawal from Afghanistan
- Antony Blinken will be the first Secretary of State in history to despise Congress
Republicans on the House Foreign Affairs Committee are calling new witnesses with “critical” insider information about the Afghanistan withdrawal for transcribed interviews as their investigation into the Biden administration’s handling of the deadly foray intensifies.
R-Texas Chairman Michael McCaul said he is calling five former State Department officials to testify because they have “important information that is critical” to unraveling “how and why” the disastrous withdrawal happened in August 2021 .
The five individuals called include: Jonathan Mennuti, former acting chief of staff to acting secretary of state for management Carol Perez; Mark Evans, former Deputy Assistant Secretary for Afghanistan; James DeHart, former leader of the Afghanistan Task Force; Jayne Howell, of the Bureau of Consular Affairs; and former Ambassador Daniel Smith.
“It is critical that they speak to the committee without delay,” chairman Michael McCaul said Monday.
Hundreds of people gather at a U.S. Air Force C-17 transport plane at the edge of the international airport in Kabul, Afghanistan, August 16, 2021
In August 2021, 13 US military personnel and 170 others were killed near Hamid Karzai International Airport after a suicide bomber detonated an explosive device.
In addition, thousands of US citizens and allies of the United States who were unable to evacuate quickly remained in the country after the Taliban quickly took the capital, Kabul.
The committee led by McCaul is looking into the Biden administration’s role in the deadly pullout, which he previously called a “stunning failure” of leadership.
“As we continue to gather evidence, the commission will continue to interview additional current and former government officials involved in the planning and execution of the withdrawal.”
DailyMail.com contacted the State Department for comment.
Separately, McCaul is preparing his committee to move forward on May 24 with a contempt of Congress charge against Secretary of State Antony Blinken after the State Department missed a deadline to hand over a key document related to the withdrawal from Afghanistan in August 2021.
The committee is specifically seeking a classified dissent telegram sent by US State Department officials ahead of the Taliban takeover on July 13, 2021.
Separately, McCaul is preparing his committee to move forward on May 24 with a contempt of Congress charge against Secretary of State Antony Blinken.
Burqa-clad Afghan women walk past a market in Fayzabad district, Badakhshan province, on January 23, 2023
Taliban fighters chanted victory slogans outside the US embassy in Kabul on August 15 as they celebrated the first anniversary of their return to power in Afghanistan after a turbulent year that saw women’s rights crushed and a humanitarian crisis worsen
The telegram warned of a “deteriorating” security situation and urged the immediate evacuation of allies, a warning the Biden administration ignored, Republicans say.
The chairman also called it “interesting” that it would be the “first time in history” that a secretary of state has ever been scorned by Congress.
State Department spokesman Vedant Patel said at a press briefing ahead of the deadline on Thursday afternoon that the ministry would “continue discussions” with the commission, but did not provide further details.
If Blinken is scorned before Congress, President Biden’s Justice Department would have the option to proceed with legal proceedings — but it is unlikely to take action against him.