Blinken expresses disappointment over House committee subpoena

Secretary of State Antony Blinken expressed significant disappointment with House Foreign Affairs Committee Chairman Michael McCaul regarding a subpoena for his testimony. Blinken communicated his willingness to testify but highlighted scheduling conflicts due to his commitments related to U.S. foreign policy, including critical diplomatic engagements concerning Ukraine, Gaza, and Sudan. He emphasized that he had previously sought to accommodate the committee's requests but faced challenges due to the proposed dates coinciding with important international events. In his letter, Blinken detailed his busy schedule on September 24, which included representing the U.S. at a UN Security Council debate and hosting a leader-level meeting on synthetic drugs. He noted that these engagements had been planned for months and were essential to the administration's foreign policy objectives. Despite McCaul's insistence on specific dates, Blinken reiterated his readiness to testify and proposed alternatives that would not interfere with his diplomatic duties. Earlier this year, McCaul had subpoenaed Blinken as part of an investigation into the U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan, which has been a contentious issue. The committee has been scrutinizing the Biden administration's handling of the evacuation and released a report detailing their findings. Blinken pointed out that his department had dedicated significant resources to provide the committee with requested materials, including documents and interviews. Ultimately, Blinken expressed hope for a resolution that would allow him to engage with the committee while fulfilling his responsibilities. He suggested that senior staff could represent him in hearings, indicating a willingness to cooperate within the constitutional framework for such engagements.