KABUL, AFGHANISTAN – The U.S. House of Representatives Foreign Affairs Committee has confirmed that Secretary of State Antony Blinken will testify about the Biden administration’s chaotic withdrawal from Afghanistan in 2021.
Blinken’s testimony, scheduled for December 11, will address the events that led to the Taliban’s rapid takeover of the country and the collapse of the republican government.
In a statement released today, the committee expressed hope that Blinken’s testimony would provide much-needed accountability and transparency for the American public, U.S. allies in Afghanistan, and the families of the 13 U.S. service members killed in a suicide bombing at Kabul’s airport in August 2021.
House Foreign Affairs Committee Chairman Michael McCaul welcomed the announcement but noted it came only after the committee took steps to hold Blinken in contempt of Congress.
“After months of good faith efforts that were too often met with stonewalling from the State Department, I’m proud to have secured Secretary Blinken’s appearance before my committee,” McCaul said. “I trust his testimony will provide long-overdue accountability and transparency for the American people, our Afghan allies, and our Gold Star families.”
The committee’s investigation into the withdrawal intensified following Blinken’s failure to appear at a scheduled hearing on September 24. Blinken’s absence was seen as a direct violation of a congressional subpoena, prompting accusations of contempt of Congress.
In response, the committee passed a report detailing Blinken’s role in the withdrawal and recommended that the U.S. House of Representatives hold him in contempt.
McCaul also expressed frustration that Blinken only agreed to testify after the committee had advanced contempt proceedings.
“It’s unfortunate that the Secretary of State agreed to appear only after my committee advanced contempt proceedings,” McCaul said. “While I wish he hadn’t delayed this until the end of his tenure, I look forward to his testimony and asking questions to ensure this never happens again.”
McCaul reaffirmed his commitment to uncovering the full scope of the administration’s failures in Afghanistan. “I will continue to turn over every stone to get to the bottom of what happened, and to ensure that this never happens again,” McCaul stated.
As the committee prepares for Blinken’s testimony, the investigation continues to examine what McCaul has called one of the most significant foreign policy failures in recent American history. The hearing on December 11 is expected to shed new light on the decisions and actions that led to the tragic and chaotic withdrawal, with further revelations potentially on the horizon.
