House Republicans on the Foreign Affairs Committee are taking steps to hold Secretary of State Antony Blinken in contempt of Congress following a dispute over his testimony regarding the U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan. Blinken expressed disappointment in the decision to advance contempt proceedings and offered alternative dates for his testimony.
The move comes after a series of clashes between Blinken and the committee over scheduling conflicts. Republicans have criticized the Biden administration for what they perceive as a failure of leadership during the chaotic withdrawal from Afghanistan in 2021.
Despite Blinken's willingness to testify, disagreements over timing have led to escalating tensions. The committee accused the State Department of avoiding hearings by not agreeing to suitable dates for Blinken's appearance.
Former President Donald Trump has seized on the Afghanistan withdrawal as a campaign issue, attempting to link it to Vice President Kamala Harris. However, investigations have not found evidence of Harris influencing the decision-making process.
Blinken has testified about Afghanistan multiple times, including before the Foreign Affairs Committee. The State Department has expressed a willingness to arrange a mutually convenient time for Blinken to testify again.
House Republicans recently released a critical report on the withdrawal, placing blame on the Biden administration while downplaying Trump's role in the events leading up to the end of America's longest war.
The partisan review highlighted failures in the final months of the withdrawal, following a deal made during the Trump administration. The chaotic exit left many individuals, including American citizens and Afghan allies, at risk from Taliban control.
