WASHINGTON, UNITED STATES – The chairman of the US House Foreign Affairs Committee, Michael McCaul has requested Secretary of State Antony Blinken to testify before the committee as part of its investigation into the U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan.
In a letter to Blinken on Tuesday, August 13, Mr. McCaul stated that other senior U.S. officials, including General Mark Milley and 16 current and former State Department officials, have already appeared before the committee. He added that Blinken must confirm his appearance by August 19 or face a subpoena.
“Unlike other senior U.S. Department of Defense, Department of State, and National Security Council officials, you have not yet answered questions as part of the Committee’s investigation,” wrote Chairman McCaul. “The time is now ripe for you to appear, and as you describe, honor the sacrifice of the Gold Star families by providing answers to the American people,” he added.
Mr. McCaul stated that the Department of State was central to the Afghanistan withdrawal and that Mr. Blinken was the final decision-maker for the department regarding the withdrawal.
“As a public servant, you have a duty to appear before Congress when requested. It thus is my expectation that you will appear voluntarily. Should you decide not to appear voluntarily, it will be my duty to ensure your appearance through compulsory process,” he said.
The Republican-led Congress has consistently criticized the Biden Administration for its handling of Afghanistan, particularly the chaotic troop withdrawal in August 2021, which led to the Taliban’s return to power.
During the withdrawal, a suicide bombing at Kabul Airport on August 26 killed 13 U.S. service members and over 70 Afghan civilians. The Islamic State – Khorasan Province (IS-KP) later claimed responsibility for the attack.
Early last year, the US House Foreign Affairs Committee, led by McCaul, began an investigation into the country’s military withdrawal from Afghanistan, which he had previously described as a “mistake of epic proportions” and an “unconditional surrender to the Taliban.”
Mr. McCaul previously stated the investigation is essential for providing the American people with the transparency and answers they deserve from the U.S. officials involved in planning and executing the withdrawal.
U.S. lawmakers also argue that, contrary to claims by the State Department, the Taliban continue to maintain ties with regional and international terrorist organizations, commit widespread human rights abuses, and misuse American-provided humanitarian aid.
The Biden administration, however, has thus far defended its decision as “the right thing to do.” Earlier, the US Secretary of State described the withdrawal as “an incredibly difficult” decision but also the right one.
“For the first time in 20 years, we don’t have another generation of young Americans going to fight and die in Afghanistan,” Blinken said.
