Andy Kravetz
PEORIA — U.S. Rep. Darin LaHood blasted President Joe Biden's handling of the withdrawal of American forces from Afghanistan, saying the White House has ignored "the warnings about the situation in Afghanistan."
The comments from the Peoria Republican came Monday after a stunning turn of events over the weekend where the Taliban took control of the country and images of panicked Afghans were seen by millions across the world.
Last year, then-President Donald Trump announced that U.S. troops would withdraw after almost 20 years of war. Biden's administration kept to that path and earlier this month, the Taliban began an offensive to retake the country.
LaHood put the onus squarely on the Biden White House in a news release Monday:
"The evacuation of the United States Embassy in Kabul and the fall of the Afghan government into the hands of the Taliban is deeply disappointing but predictable given the Biden Administration's approach.
"For months, the White House and President Biden have ignored the warnings about the situation in Afghanistan by many in Congress and the defense communities. Despite the warnings, the Administration pushed ahead with an ill-advised, poorly planned, and needlessly rapid complete drawdown of America's presence in Afghanistan in an attempt to seek a political victory before the 20th anniversary of the 9/11 attacks.
"The world is looking to America as Afghanistan descends into chaos. Instead of taking responsibility for the situation, President Biden and his Administration continue to play politics and blame others.
"President Biden and his Administration's failure of leadership has enabled a return to a pre-9/11 Afghanistan — creating a fertile breeding ground for radical terrorism to grow once again. President Biden has abandoned men and women who served as local partners in Afghanistan, endangered the lives of innocent women and children, and disrespected the sacrifice of the brave men and women in our military who served the United States and kept Americans safe throughout the last 20 years. President Biden owns the horrific scenes to come from Afghanistan and his actions threaten the security of America and our allies."
LaHood serves on the House's intelligence committee.
The speed at which the Taliban retook the country shocked many around the world. The United States has rushed troops to the nation's capital to help with the evacuation of Americans and other foreigners as well as those Afghans who obtained a visa.
