WASHINGTON, USA: The US House of Representatives Foreign Affairs Committee has intensified its scrutiny of the Biden administration’s handling of the US withdrawal from Afghanistan in August 2021.
On Tuesday, Committee Chairman Michael McCaul issued a subpoena to Secretary of State Antony Blinken, accusing him of refusing to appear before the committee to testify about the chaotic exit from Afghanistan, which drew widespread criticism both domestically and internationally.
In his letter accompanying the subpoena, McCaul emphasized the urgency and importance of Blinken’s testimony, underscoring the committee’s role in overseeing US foreign policy and holding the executive branch accountable.
He warned that if Blinken does not appear before the committee on September 19, he could face contempt charges. This move reflects the committee’s frustration with what it perceives as a lack of transparency from the State Department regarding the decisions and actions leading up to and following the withdrawal.
The committee is seeking detailed information on the administration’s planning, execution, and aftermath of the withdrawal, which left behind US citizens and Afghan allies and resulted in a deadly attack on Kabul airport.
