Republicans Criticize Biden Over Afghanistan Withdrawal Report

House Republicans have released a report blaming President Biden's administration for the chaotic withdrawal from Afghanistan, which culminated on August 30, 2021. The report highlights failures in military and civilian planning during the final months of the U.S. presence in Afghanistan, following a withdrawal deal made by former President Trump in February 2020. The GOP asserts that Biden had the opportunity to prepare for the Taliban's rapid advance but chose to prioritize optics over security, leading to a disastrous exit that left many at risk. The investigation, led by Rep. Michael McCaul, included testimonies from senior military officials and a review of over 20,000 State Department documents. It concluded that both Biden and Trump share significant blame for the withdrawal's failures, with the report emphasizing that the Taliban's swift takeover was underestimated. The report also criticized the lack of adequate planning by the Biden administration, particularly in the lead-up to the evacuation of U.S. personnel and Afghan allies. In response, the White House characterized the report as biased and based on selective facts, arguing that Biden inherited a challenging situation due to Trump's deal with the Taliban. House Democrats echoed this sentiment, stating that the report overlooked Trump's role in the withdrawal process. The withdrawal marked the end of nearly two decades of U.S. military involvement in Afghanistan, which began in response to the September 11 attacks. The Taliban's resurgence raises concerns about the potential for Afghanistan to once again become a haven for extremist groups like al-Qaida.