Secretary of State Antony Blinken faces the possibility of being held in contempt of Congress after a key House committee advanced a contempt resolution against him on Tuesday. This move sets the stage for a House-wide vote upon Congress's return from a six-week recess. If the House votes to hold Blinken in contempt, he would be referred to the Department of Justice for potential criminal charges.
The House Foreign Affairs Committee's decision to advance the contempt resolution comes amid allegations that Blinken has been uncooperative with the committee's investigation into President Biden's handling of the chaotic withdrawal from Afghanistan in August 2021. Blinken, who was absent from the hearing due to prior commitments at the United Nations General Assembly, has expressed willingness to testify but has clashed with committee members over scheduling conflicts.
House Republicans have previously taken similar actions against Biden administration officials, including Attorney General Merrick Garland, who was also held in contempt but not prosecuted by the Department of Justice. Additionally, a House vote to impeach Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas was swiftly dismissed by the Senate.
The House committee's report highlighted shortcomings in the Biden administration's withdrawal strategy from Afghanistan, criticizing the lack of planning for evacuating Americans and allies amidst the Taliban's rapid takeover. The report also questioned President Biden's reliance on the Doha agreement made by former President Trump with the Taliban.
Notably, if the House proceeds with holding Blinken in contempt, he would become the first Secretary of State in history to face such a penalty. The potential consequences of this action underscore the ongoing tensions between Congress and the Biden administration over foreign policy decisions and transparency.
