Washington, D.C. – U.S. Representative Mike Rogers (R-AL), Ranking Member of the House Armed Services Committee, released the following statement on the deteriorating situation in Afghanistan as the final date for the U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan approaches.
“It was President Biden’s decision to completely and unconditionally withdraw from Afghanistan, rushed, without a plan, and against the advice of those who were on the ground. President Biden’s legacy will be stained with the bloodshed of innocent Afghan women and children who have been left at the mercy of a merciless terrorist organization.
“The Taliban continues to gain control of more of Afghanistan every hour, as President Biden was warned would happen. Just over the weekend, the United States conducted air raids on the Taliban to slow their predicted progress across the country. President Biden has failed to provide Congress and the American people with a plan for how we will conduct counterterrorism operations and protect remaining American citizens and our national security interests in Afghanistan. The reports out of Afghanistan are alarming – what happens next will be directly because of President Biden’s haphazard political withdrawal.
“President Biden cannot hide from this catastrophe. It’s happening on his watch because of his actions. He must change course or be held accountable for his decision.”