House Foreign Affairs Committee subpoenas Blinken over Afghanistan withdrawal

Republican-led House committee subpoenas Antony Blinken over Afghanistan withdrawal

Blinken rejects US House subpoena on Afghanistan

Newsweek

Blinken Subpoenaed for Testimony on Afghanistan Withdrawal

By a party-line vote, the Republican-majority US House Foreign Affairs Committee on Tuesday advanced a recommendation to hold Secretary of State Antony Blinken in contempt of Congress for not testifying as part of the investigation of the US withdrawal from Afghanistan.

The New York Times

The 26-25 vote makes the resolution eligible for a vote by the full House, but House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) said it likely won't be considered until after the Nov. 5 presidential election.

There was disagreement over whether Blinken had sufficiently responded to the committee's request for him to appear.  Blinken in a letter said he tried to accommodate the committee and offered alternate witnesses.

TASS

Rep. Michael McCaul (R-Texas), the committee's chair, accused Blinken of "ignoring countless requests for his testimony" about the 2021 withdrawal. The committee's 29-page contempt report accused Blinken of a "pattern of obstruction."

Roll Call

If Blinken is held in contempt, he would be referred to the Department of Justice (DOJ) for criminal charges. Previously, the House has voted to hold Attorney General Merrick Garland (the DOJ declined to prosecute him) in contempt and to impeach Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas (the Democrat-majority Senate dismissed the case).

House Committee Votes to Hold Blinken in Contempt

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House Committee Votes to Hold Blinken in Contempt

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