Democrats Fire Back on Afghanistan Withdrawal Memo, Accuse GOP of Political Games

The House Democrats on the Foreign Affairs Committee have released a memo rebutting a Republican report criticizing President Biden's chaotic 2021 withdrawal from Afghanistan, accusing the GOP of partisan motivations and failing to offer feasible alternatives.

Responding to a GOP-led report disputing President Biden's claims of limited options due to former President Trump's agreement with the Taliban, New York Rep. Gregory Meeks released a dueling memo on behalf of the Democrats on the House Foreign Affairs Committee. Meeks accused Republicans of prioritizing political opportunism over factual analysis.

According to Meeks, the GOP report omitted key facts, including Trump's commitment to a full withdrawal without consulting the Afghan government or safeguarding Afghan women and girls. He also highlighted Trump's unilateral troop reductions, which weakened US leverage and made reversing the withdrawal impossible without renewed combat.

Democrats Fire Back on Afghanistan Withdrawal Memo, Accuse GOP of Political Games

"All witnesses agreed that we would have faced renewed combat with the Taliban if we had not continued the withdrawal," Meeks emphasized. "President Biden chose to end the war rather than send more Americans to fight."

Regarding the deadly Abbey Gate bombing, Meeks stated that Republicans were aware for months that it was not preventable. He accused them of exploiting the tragedy for partisan gain, despite witness testimony indicating that the ISIS-K bomber was not in their sights.

Democrats Fire Back on Afghanistan Withdrawal Memo, Accuse GOP of Political Games

Meeks also denounced the GOP's attempts to link Vice President Harris to the withdrawal, noting that she was mentioned only three times in the committee's interview transcripts. "Republicans have failed to offer feasible alternatives," he said. "They are simply objecting to President Biden fulfilling his pledge to end the war in Afghanistan."

Meeks stressed the importance of focusing on lessons learned from the withdrawal rather than assigning blame. "We must identify ways to improve our future efforts to fight and end wars," he said.

Democrats Fire Back on Afghanistan Withdrawal Memo, Accuse GOP of Political Games

The Democrats' memo highlights the ongoing partisan divide over the Afghanistan withdrawal, with Republicans criticizing Biden's handling while Democrats defend the decision to end the costly and protracted conflict.

The release of the dueling reports is likely to further fuel the political debate over the withdrawal and its consequences, as the United States continues to grapple with the challenges posed by the Taliban's resurgence in Afghanistan.

Democrats Fire Back on Afghanistan Withdrawal Memo, Accuse GOP of Political Games