FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Sara Robertson (Sara.Robertson2@mail.house.gov)

 

Rep. Crawford Statement on Crisis Unfolding in Afghanistan  

8/16/2021

Washington — Over the weekend, President Biden’s plans to withdraw United States troops and diplomatic personnel from Afghanistan went into effect. In the 48 hours since the withdraw began, the Taliban has overtaken the capital city Kabul for the first time in 20 years and assumed control of Afghanistan. The President of Afghanistan has fled along with other top government officials as a result of the violence. Meanwhile, the President of the United States has failed to address the nation as the events continue to unfold.

“The scenes of chaos, mayhem, and terror over the weekend across Afghanistan are angering and unacceptable. Joe Biden’s plan and directives that have led to what is still unfolding will damage America’s reputation and standing in the world as a country that will always fight to secure the freedoms and liberties of those living under tyranny and terror.

President Biden has repeatedly stated that he “inherited” this situation from the previous administration. In fact, what Biden inherited was an agreed upon plan with a well-defined set of conditions that would ensure a safe American withdrawal from Afghanistan, the Abraham Accords that are helping foster peace in the Middle East for the first time in generations, and a safer world with the elimination of terror masterminds Solemani and al-Baghdadi.

The actions by Joe Biden – from whom we have yet to hear — will forever rank him as one of the weakest Presidents America has ever known and raise serious questions about his fitness to adequately and fully execute his duties as Commander-in-Chief.” said Rep. Crawford. 

Rep. Crawford represents Arkansas’s First District and is currently serving as the Ranking Member of the Counterterrorism, Counterintelligence, and Counterproliferation Subcommittee on the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence.

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