GOP committee chair threatens Blinken with contempt of Congress over Afghan withdrawal information
NBCNov 25, 2022
The Facts
US House Foreign Affairs Committee chair Rep. Michael McCaul (R-Texas) is threatening to hold US Secretary of State Antony Blinken in contempt of Congress if he refuses to hand over May 11 diplomatic cables relating to the 2021 US withdrawal from Afghanistan.
Blinken was first subpoenaed in March over cables sent by US diplomats who were criticizing the withdrawal plan through the "dissent channel" — which allows diplomats to voice concerns directly with the US Dept. of State and receive a formal response. McCaul has called the information handed over thus far "insufficient," following several extensions of the deadline.
The Spin
Republican narrative
The US withdrawal from Afghanistan was a disaster that the Bidden administration bungled. Congress has a legal right to see whatever documentation it wants to see, but Blinken has missed several deadlines to turn over the requested documents. Contempt charges against Blinken would just be part of Congress fulfilling its role of holding the administration accountable.
Democratic narrative
Levying contempt charges at Blinken is unnecessary. The administration and State Dept. are willing to continue to keep Congress informed within parameters of what is reasonable and ethical. Members of Congress have already received a classified briefing, and the White House and State have each shared more than they initially wanted to provide Congress. But releasing too many classified documents would have a dangerous and chilling effect on confidential discourse within the administration.
