Statement of Congressman Rob Wittman on President Biden's Afghanistan Address

Statement

Today, Congressman Rob Wittman (VA-01) issued the following statement:

"Throughout President Biden's address yesterday, he presented a false dichotomy. Based on his address, one would be led to believe the United States must have either withdrawn exactly as we did or remained in Afghanistan for another decade. That is not the case. The criticism President Biden faces is not for his decision to withdraw but for the manner in which he did.

"He chose to rapidly withdraw without any discernible plan. He ignored the advice of experts and of his top military leaders. He refused to share his plan with Congress.

"He now needs to accept responsibility for the consequences of those decisions. Despite claiming that "the buck stops with him', President Biden continually directed blame elsewhere and failed to accept any responsibility for the unmitigated disaster in Afghanistan.

"He blames the Afghan National Security Forces for failing to fight, though he left them without the necessary support. He blames Afghanistan's political leaders for fleeing, though he left them little choice. He blames President Trump, though President Biden developed and previously took credit for the decision.

"Behind each of these excuses lies yet another failure of President Biden's. But these excuses will not save the lives of those he has imperiled, including US citizens and our Afghan allies.

"Amid these tragedies, President Biden avoided the public for six days, only emerging today to launch a flurry of excuses. He must accept responsibility for the consequences of his decisions. All those in danger now, and all those who served and sacrificed over the last two decades, deserve better. As does the world as it looks on in horror.

"Even as the chaos in Afghanistan breaks the hearts of millions, President Biden continues to dodge responsibility for the failed withdrawal. Earlier today, I joined my Republican colleagues on the House Armed Services Committee in once again calling for President Biden to brief us on his plan moving forward. But, as has been the case in recent days aside from this brief address, we are met with nothing but silence from the White House.

"The world is watching. President Biden must lead America through this crisis. His blame game is yet another step in the wrong direction."

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