Staff Reports
The Biden-Harris administration continues to serve up some real doozies regarding the catastrophic withdrawal from Afghanistan. Just when you think the narrative couldn’t get any more absurd, National Security Communications Advisor John Kirby steps up to the plate with a performance that is almost too ridiculous to believe while discussing the consequences of what some have dubbed a national disgrace.
During a recent press conference, a reporter put the important question to Kirby on whether anyone in the administration had been held accountable for the botched withdrawal. To which Kirby answered with what can only be likened to a collective shrug from the White House bench. Reportedly, he claimed that everyone had “held themselves accountable,” leaving everyone wondering what that actually meant. In a scene reminiscent of a bad comedy, he insisted that the withdrawal was a “true interagency effort” aimed at evacuating a whopping 120,000 people while ensuring that diplomats and military personnel were safe. One can’t help but wonder if that refers to the same interagency effort that saw desperate Afghans clinging to the sides of airplanes while those in power were patting themselves on the back.
JUST ANNOUNCED
Reporter: “On Afghanistan, would you argue that the withdrawal is a success or do you admit that there were failings in that?”
John Kirby: “Clearly, there were moments of great violence,” but overall it was a success.
Vote Trump! 💪🏻🇺🇸
pic.twitter.com/DTkPH9NvaM— Mr.Action (@NewsAction24_7) September 9, 2024
Kirby did acknowledge that not everything went according to plan—an understatement that makes one raise an eyebrow. It is astonishing that he could take such a tragedy and downplay it with the casualness of someone discussing their last meal. It’s as if the lives lost and the chaos were simply unfortunate side effects of a well-intentioned day at work. When asked about accountability, the enthusiasm for self-assessment seemed non-existent. Resignations? Crickets. Public apologies? Just the sound of a pin dropping in an empty room.
In stark contrast, former President Donald Trump has indicated that if he were in charge, he’d demand resignations from those responsible for the Afghan debacle—and he wouldn’t be mincing words. Trump recently made it clear that on Inauguration Day, he’d want a stack of resignations from senior officials involved in the debacle on his desk by noon, making it clear that he’s serious about holding people accountable. This bold leadership style highlights a clear distinction from Biden-Harris’s passive approach; the voters notice this difference.
Meanwhile, it stands out that while Kirby stumbled through his talking points, the Biden administration hasn’t reached out to the Gold Star families who lost loved ones in the disaster. Not so for Trump, who has met several times with these families, earning him rightful praise while Biden appears glaringly absent and seemingly unconcerned. The juxtaposition between the current administration’s aloofness and Trump’s compassion speaks volumes about leadership qualities in times of crisis.
As if the narrative wasn’t confusing enough, Kamala Harris’s campaign has also shamelessly tried to shift blame onto Trump for a withdrawal that happened under their watch. One would think the vice president would avoid such gaslighting, especially considering her role as a key decision-maker in the administration. Yet here she is, doubling down on a narrative so untethered from reality it could float into space.
The House Foreign Affairs Committee isn’t letting the administration’s foggy messaging go unchecked. With plans for a subpoena on Secretary of State Antony Blinken looming, this investigation is unlikely to go quietly into the night. The committee has persistently scrutinized the withdrawal, backed by the voices of those affected by this tragedy, and once again, it serves as a reminder that accountability is not just a buzzword, but something that should be demanded from those in power.
