2 House Lawmakers Take Secret Trip to Afghanistan to Oversee Evacuation

Contact Your Elected Officials
The Epoch Times Logo

Two U.S. House lawmakers said they were in Kabul to conduct oversight of the evacuation effort at the city’s international airport.

Reps. Seth Moulton (D-Mass.) and Peter Meijer (R-Mich.) visited the airport on Aug. 24, according to Moulton.

“Witnessing our young Marines and soldiers at the gates, navigating a confluence of humanity as raw and visceral as the world has ever seen, was indescribable,” Moulton wrote on Twitter.

“The world has truly never seen anything like what America is doing in Kabul this week—deeply tragic and highly heroic. Fear and desperation at their worst; hope and humanity at their finest.”

The two lawmakers are both military veterans with backgrounds in the region. Moulton, a Marine who has been an outspoken critic of the Iraq War, served multiple tours in Iraq. Meijer was deployed as part of the Army Reserves and later worked in Afghanistan at a nongovernmental organization providing aid. Both serve on the House Armed Services Committee.

The United States has been conducting a mass-scale evacuation effort from the airport in Kabul after the Taliban terrorist group captured Afghanistan in a stunning blitz earlier this month.

The Biden administration is facing bipartisan criticism over the lack of preparation for the evacuation of U.S. citizens and Afghans who worked with the ousted government and allied forces.

“We did this visit in secret to reduce risks and impact on the mission and we insisted on leaving in a plane that was not full, in a seat designated for crew so that we didn’t take a seat from someone else,” Moulton wrote.

“Washington should be ashamed of the position we put our service members in, but they represent the best in America.

“We came into this visit wanting, like most veterans, to push the president to extend the August 31st deadline. After talking with commanders on the ground and seeing the situation here, it is obvious that because we started the evacuation so late, that no matter what we do, we won’t get everyone out on time, even by September 11. Sadly and frustratingly, getting our people out depends on maintaining the current, bizarre relationship with the Taliban.”

President Joe Biden said on Aug. 24 that the United States is on pace to complete the evacuation effort by Aug. 31 if the Taliban continues to cooperate. Lawmakers on both sides of the aisle have doubts that the administration can meet the end-of-month deadline. Estimates place the number of Americans in Afghanistan at 10,000 to 15,000 before the evacuation began.

By Ivan Pentchoukov

Read Full Article on TheEpochTimes.com

The Thinking Conservative
The Thinking Conservativehttps://www.thethinkingconservative.com/
The goal of THE THINKING CONSERVATIVE is to help us educate ourselves on conservative topics of importance to our freedom and our pursuit of happiness. We do this by sharing conservative opinions on all kinds of subjects, from all types of people, and all kinds of media, in a way that will challenge our perceptions and help us to make educated choices.

The Kirk Assassination Narrative is Falling Apart

New footage challenges the FBI’s claim that Tyler Robinson shot Charlie Kirk from a UVU rooftop with a .30-06 rifle, casting doubt on the official narrative.

A self-inflicted wound

Leftist propaganda from media, unions, bureaucrats, and schools has indoctrinated the marginalized with an idealized view of socialism and communism.

Katie Porter Syndrome: Toxic Feminism 101

“Katie Porter Syndrome” is a pathology inflicted upon Congressional staffers, the media, and, if the patient gets herself elected governor, all of CA.

The Unique European Social Contract: Effectiveness Over Values

American conservatives often ground their political stances on social issues. The European conversation centers on an effectiveness assessment.

Trump’s Middle East Triumph is Worth Celebrating Even As Peace Remains Elusive 

President Trump’s bold foreign policy defies globalist appeasement, showcasing unwavering American strength and decisive leadership on the world stage.

Trump Set to Become 4th President to Address Israel’s Parliament–What to Know

‘The visit of the U.S. president ... is accompanied by great emotion and expectation,’ an Israeli Ministry of Defense official said.

Supreme Court Won’t Hear Project Veritas Challenge to State Law Blocking Secret Recording

U.S. Supreme Court declined to hear a First Amendment challenge from investigative journalism group against Oregon’s ban on secret recordings.

Katie Porter Syndrome: Toxic Feminism 101

“Katie Porter Syndrome” is a pathology inflicted upon Congressional staffers, the media, and, if the patient gets herself elected governor, all of CA.

Biden Undergoing Radiation, Hormone Treatment for Prostate Cancer

Former President Biden has begun receiving a combination of radiation and hormone treatments for prostate cancer, spokesperson announced.

Trump Names Longtime Adviser Dan Scavino to Key Personnel Position

One of President Trump’s longtime advisers, Dan Scavino, is going to be in charge of selecting and appointing key positions within the executive branch.

First Lady’s Effort Helped Reunite 8 War-Displaced Children With Their Families

First lady Melania Trump said 8 children impacted by the fighting between Ukraine and Russia were reunited with their families on Oct. 9.

Trump Admin Agrees to $20 Billion Rescue Plan for Argentina

The U.S. government has finalized a $20 billion economic rescue plan for Argentina, Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent announced on Oct. 9.

Trump Says He May Invoke Insurrection Act in Portland If Necessary

President Donald Trump on Oct. 6 said he may consider invoking the Insurrection Act in Portland, Oregon, if necessary.
spot_img

Related Articles

Popular Categories

MAGA Business Central