On Afghanistan, the Buck Stops Where?
August 23, 2021
Friends,
The buck stops here.
The phrase was made popular by former President Harry Truman, who kept the words on his desk in the Oval Office. Many Presidents have since uttered the phrase as an understanding that final decisions, as well as their consequences, rest with our nation's commander in chief.
Last week, President Joe Biden claimed the buck stops with him in regard to the catastrophic and poorly planned withdrawal from Afghanistan. However, the President's words and actions say otherwise.
The events of the past week in Afghanistan have been heartbreaking and infuriating. Reminiscent of Saigon, images of Taliban with American rifles and equipment have been an insult to American taxpayers and so many heroes who served or lost their lives there, as well as their Gold Star families.
I first want to say to anyone who served in Afghanistan and to their families, hold your head high. You served with honor and you did your job. I also know from countless conversations I've had with so many of you that you are hurting. You need to know you are not alone, and your country supports you.
I have long feared the fallout from an arbitrary withdrawal from Afghanistan, instead believing any withdrawal should be based on conditions on the ground and advice from military commanders. However in April, President Biden announced his decision to leave Afghanistan by Sept. 11, 2021, putting a symbolic political deadline and a major public relations win for the terrorists ahead of the safety of our troops and allies.
Over the last week, President Biden defended this decision. Yet this misses the mark of the current uproar, which is not about the decision to leave, but the tragically incompetent way in which it was executed.
President Donald Trump also wanted our troops to withdraw from Afghanistan. However, the Trump administration was adamant that any withdrawal would be conditions-based so that American citizens and allies would be protected and American military equipment would not fall into the hands of the Taliban. This withdrawal was backed by a deterrence model where the Taliban understood if they violated terms, they would face severe consequences. President Trump also insisted that U.S. troops would leave last – after all civilians were out and all military equipment was removed or destroyed.
Unfortunately, the Biden administration did not follow this model. The speed in which the Taliban advanced through Afghanistan defied President Biden's assurances from just one month ago when he told reporters, "The likelihood there's going to be the Taliban overrunning everything and owning the whole country is highly unlikely." Despite assurances that contingency plans were in place, images from our embassy and the airport have shown the Administration was not prepared.
The chaotic exit has left tens of thousands of American citizens and Afghan allies stranded. Many remain in extreme danger, as the Taliban has blocked access to the airport and reportedly gone door-to-door exacting brutal revenge on those who stood by our side for decades.
Yet missing from President Biden's remarks last week was taking responsibility for completely botching the withdrawal from Afghanistan. He also failed to lay out any plan to protect people and assets left behind, even as thousands of troops from Fort Bragg were hastily deployed to deal with the self-inflicted chaos. The President's lack of preparation and understanding of the current fallout and furor are a failure of epic proportions.
Former Obama Defense Secretary Leon Panetta called this President Biden's "Bay of Pigs." He also criticized President Biden for not taking responsibility, unlike President Kennedy in 1961.
Following Afghanistan's takeover, my heart breaks for Afghan women, girls and boys. Previous Taliban regimes brought about brutal humanitarian violations. Significant advances in civil rights over the last 20 years made possible by the brave men and women of the U.S. military are now in danger of being erased.
I'm also saddened and angered by our failed commitment to so many Afghans who trusted us and worked with us against the Taliban yet are now left behind.
I have been working for months to get our allies and American citizens out of Afghanistan. The State Department has been bogged down with delays which now threaten their lives. Just last week, the Department responded to one of my inquiries for a special visa advising the applicant to meet at the now-abandoned American Embassy in Kabul – on Sept. 28th. Additionally, the State Department sent notices to Afghan citizens to travel to the airport for evacuation, only to be turned away and beaten by the Taliban. Last week, I wrote a letter to Secretary of State Blinken to highlight this ineptitude that is putting lives at risk.
American citizens and allies should have been evacuated from Afghanistan long before our troops. While I am hopeful our Armed Forces can save as many as possible, last week's failed withdrawal from Afghanistan will have implications for President Biden and our country for years. In the meantime, I hope you'll join me in praying for our troops, veterans and Gold Star families. If you or anyone you know would like to talk, the veteran crisis hotline is available at 1-800-273-8255 (press 1). My office is also always here to help in any way.
The buck should stop with the President of the United States. Rest assured, I will hold the Administration accountable until every American citizen and ally is protected.
Until next week,
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Richard Hudson
Member of Congress
Issues:Defense & National Security