The situation is growing worse with each passing hour. We now know that earlier today, two bombings occurred outside the Kabul airport gates. At least 12 U.S. Marines have been killed, 15 injured in these explosions, and thousands of Americans and allies remain in immediate danger. Biden must make clear that these attacks will not be tolerated and take action. There must be an immediate transition in the mission: No arbitrary deadlines, no excuses. We must do whatever it takes to ensure the safety of Americans and our allies, and Biden must make clear the United States does not negotiate with terrorists.
Several thousand American citizens and allies still remain in immediate danger as they await evacuation out of Afghanistan, and my office has been in communication with hundreds of folks and working with the State Department to get them to safety. If you know someone currently stranded, please contact my Augusta office immediately.
President Biden must take action; like many of you, I have been watching the chaos closely and have more questions than we have heard answers from the Biden Administration.
That’s why I joined many of my House and Senate colleagues demanding President Biden answer several urgent questions. Specifically, we asked about evacuation efforts, the arbitrary August 31st deadline, the rise of other terrorist groups in the region, ensuring the Taliban doesn't seize even more U.S. military equipment, processing refugees, and more. You can read the full letter here.
The exit of U.S. troops should have been conditions-based, like President Trump laid out. Unfortunately, the consequences of Biden’s lack of a strategic plan were entirely predictable and preventable, which is why this administration must be held accountable.