Malliotakis: Biden Owes Americans Answers on Poor Afghanistan Withdrawal Strategy

(WASHINGTON, DC) - Today Congresswoman Nicole Malliotakis (NY-11) issued the following statement regarding the deteriorating situation in Afghanistan:

"Yesterday, I along with other Members of Congress, received a briefing from Department of State Secretary Antony Blinken, Department of Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin, and Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff General Mark Milley regarding the deterioration of Afghanistan. Unfortunately, following the call, many of us were left with more questions than answers.

"What information did President Biden receive from the Intelligence Community that led him to make the decision to hastily withdraw American troops from Afghanistan? Did the President follow the recommendations of his foreign policy and national security advisors, or did he go rogue? Why has the visa process for our Afghan interpreters and partners who are most at risk of being killed by the Taliban been slowed? Many military advisors warned a swift removal of U.S. troops could lead to the same terrorist threats our country saw more than 20 years ago. The President's apparent disregard for their concerns has now led to an unmitigated national security disaster.

"As we approach the 20th anniversary of September 11, 2001, a hotbed for terrorist activity has been created in the Middle East. More American troops are currently in Afghanistan than when President Biden announced the United States' withdrawal, all while our southern border remains wide open for anyone to enter our country illegally. Simply put, the Biden Administration has put American diplomats, civilians, and our Afghan interpreters and partners directly in harm’s way.

"Last month, President Biden said a Taliban takeover in Afghanistan was 'highly unlikely,' that the Afghan government had 'all the tools, training and equipment of any modern military' to keep themselves in power. Clearly, the Administration got it wrong and the President must take ownership for this foreign policy failure. Members of Congress, service members, families who lost loved ones, and all Americans deserve answers."