Congress Subpoenas Blinken Over Afghanistan Withdrawal
Congress Subpoenas Blinken Over Afghanistan Withdrawal
The Facts
US Rep. Michael McCaul (R-Texas), the chairman of the House Foreign Affairs Committee on Tuesday subpoenaed Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken to testify before Congress about the US' 2021 withdrawal from Afghanistan.
In a letter, McCaul wrote the committee wants to hear from Blinken as part of its effort to draft "potential legislation aimed at helping prevent the catastrophic mistakes of the withdrawal."In a letter, McCaul wrote that the committee wants to hear from Blinken as part of its effort to draft "potential legislation aimed at helping prevent the catastrophic mistakes of the withdrawal."
The Spin
The chaotic, lethal extraction of US troops from Afghanistan was a major scandal — in its planning and its execution. In the aftermath of this debacle, Congress deserves to pursue the truth about what happened. The American people, especially those who lost family members during that time, deserve an explanation from Blinken, the president, and anyone with Congress whom wishes to speak.
If the investigation of what happened leading up to and during the investigation isn't just a bipartisan witch hunt, fine. But Congress should put similar energy into creating legislation that will help integrate into US society the Afghans who were evacuated and are facing a humanitarian crisis in America. Congress should show it knows how to look forward, as well as back.
