Former White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki to Testify on Afghanistan Withdrawal

Former White House press secretary Jen Psaki has agreed to sit down with House GOP investigators probing the Biden administration's withdrawal from Afghanistan.

Former White House press secretary Jen Psaki will appear for a closed-door transcribed interview with the House Foreign Affairs Committee on July 26 as part of the panel's long-running probe into the chaotic August 2021 operation. This agreement was confirmed by Fox News Digital, which obtained a letter sent to House Foreign Affairs Committee Chair Rep. Michael McCaul, R-Texas.

In the letter, White House deputy counsel Rachel Cotton expressed concerns regarding separation of powers and Executive Branch confidentiality issues. However, the White House agreed to an "extraordinary accommodation" and authorized Psaki to participate in the interview, subject to specific terms and conditions.

Former White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki to Testify on Afghanistan Withdrawal

The committee requested that Psaki provide a list of topics she will be willing to discuss, or arrange a call with the White House Counsel's Office to review potential confidentiality issues. The White House expects the lawmakers to follow established practice in engaging with the White House to ensure cooperation while upholding Executive Branch confidentiality.

Psaki served as President Biden's first White House press secretary during the U.S. military's withdrawal from Afghanistan. House Republican investigators are scrutinizing Psaki's statements made during this period, believing she may have made untrue claims.

Former White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki to Testify on Afghanistan Withdrawal

The committee aims to determine if Psaki knowingly misled the public or if she was misinformed by others involved in the withdrawal. They will explore whether the Biden administration prioritized politics over policy and potentially concealed information from the public.

During a presidential debate, Biden claimed that "no troops [have] died anywhere in the world" on his watch. The next day, McCaul strongly condemned this statement, recounting the 13 U.S. service members killed during the Afghanistan withdrawal.

Former White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki to Testify on Afghanistan Withdrawal

In addition, three U.S. service members were killed in a drone attack in Jordan earlier this year. The House GOP majority's investigation into the Afghanistan withdrawal has been viewed as less partisan compared to other probes.

McCaul authored a report examining the Biden administration's decisions and actions leading up to and during the withdrawal. The executive summary of the report criticized the administration for delaying critical actions, resulting in a chaotic evacuation and loss of life.

Former White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki to Testify on Afghanistan Withdrawal

The report also examined the aftermath of the withdrawal, including the Taliban's seizure of power, the chaotic evacuation, and the long-term impact on the United States and its allies. The committee will delve into these issues further during Psaki's interview.

House investigators believe that Psaki may have made false or misleading statements regarding the Afghanistan withdrawal. They will seek to determine her role in communicating information to the public and whether any inaccuracies were intentional or the result of misinformation provided by others within the administration.