Dear John,
I am concerned…very concerned for our fellow citizens, Afghan interpreters and their families, and really…every person who worked with American forces or were part of the government in Afghanistan. The Administration caved to the Taliban and gave in to their threats by agreeing to stick with the Aug. 31 deadline of withdrawal. We will undoubtedly have many Americans left behind and their lives will be at risk.
The problem is we don’t know how many Americans are still trying to get out. The Taliban is stopping people on the way to the Kabul airport and taking their passports…even though they have proper, legal ID saying they are an American citizen, they are being stopped by the Taliban…IDs taken…beaten. We’re seeing some Afghans who are trying to get to the airport being murder. Mom Stranded in Afghanistan Begs Biden for Help
Why is this Administration trusting the Taliban in getting our people out? Essentially, Americans and others have been left as hostages of the Taliban. Our own Embassy said they could not guarantee safe passage to the airport. And when we depart on August 31, it will get worse. US Embassy Says It Can't Guarantee Safe Passage to Airport
While the Administration has not presented a plan, our military members have been the true backbone of this mission. The stories and pictures of our service members sharing water, pulling people over the wall, and delivering babies has been a bright spot in all of this and this veteran and former commander salutes them. Marine Gives Children Water
I also want to send a clear message to our Gold Star families and Veterans who served in Afghanistan…” We are with you. Your fight…your loss, was not in vain.” Please know that we are working to get to safety the very people who worked with you or your loved ones. Bacon Staff Assists Americans in Afghanistan
If you are a Veteran and are feeling let down, alone, or defeated, please call 1-800-273-8255 & press 1, or text 838-255.
As I said, I have expressed these concerns for almost two years now…and worked with others in Congress to address our shared concerns about conditions surrounding the withdrawal from Afghanistan. Last year, we took steps in the FY21 NDAA to address our bi-partisan & bi-cameral concerns regarding withdrawal from Afghanistan. Trump vetoed; we overrode; then Biden ignored. We did everything the Constitution allows to prevent what we are now witnessing. Conditions surrounding withdrawal from Afghanistan
I’m asked, ‘why did the Afghan forces quickly collapse?’ First, the Afghan military relied on outstanding U.S. combat air support. Most of that went away a month ago. Further, the Afghan Air Force was dependent on American mechanics, and these personnel were also taken out of Afghanistan. In short, we pulled the plug on combat air support and this really undermined the Afghan capabilities. Finally, many Afghan military were running out of bullets and other supplies, something the Americans helped manage for the Afghans. Once out of bullets, the military dissolved.
I also learned this week that the military and the intelligence community advised against the rapid withdrawal. Biden decided to ignore the advice. Others in the State Department and the National Security Council recommended the withdrawal.
The Biden Administration owes Americans a plan outlining exactly how they will get all citizens out of Afghanistan. Additionally, whoever advised the President on his actions during this withdrawal and said the government will hold for approximately 2 years, needs to resign, or get fired. This has been a colossal disaster.
God Bless,
Don J. Bacon
