In a sharply worded statement, Michael McCaul, Chairman of the U.S. House Foreign Affairs Committee, has named 15 senior U.S. officials, including President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris, as responsible for the “disastrous” withdrawal from Afghanistan. The list, released following a two-year investigative report, also includes National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan, Deputy Advisor Jonathan Finer, and other key members of the administration.
McCaul urged Congress to take decisive action, warning that if the Biden administration does not hold these officials accountable, it is up to Congress to intervene. He stressed that those responsible for the Afghanistan debacle must face consequences for their roles in what he described as “the worst foreign policy decision in U.S. history.”
The Chairman’s criticism extended beyond the withdrawal itself to the subsequent treatment of officials involved. He accused the Biden administration of promoting those who oversaw the operation rather than admitting failures, a move McCaul said amounted to celebrating a deadly and chaotic exit from Afghanistan.
In his address on Wednesday, McCaul pointed to several overlooked factors, including violations of the Doha Agreement by the Taliban, military and intelligence opposition to the withdrawal, and the disapproval of NATO allies. He argued that President Biden’s decision to withdraw U.S. forces led directly to the swift fall of the Afghan government, as the Taliban rapidly seized control of provinces across the country.
The withdrawal from Afghanistan in 2021 drew global condemnation as chaotic scenes unfolded during the final days of U.S. presence in Kabul. McCaul emphasized that this outcome was the result of a politically motivated decision made without adequate consultation, leading to an inadequate evacuation of civilians and further instability in the region.
As calls for accountability grow, the House Foreign Affairs Committee’s report is likely to intensify scrutiny on the Biden administration’s handling of the situation, with McCaul demanding a full reckoning for those deemed responsible.
