Vice President Kamala Harris' influence on the botched withdrawal of U.S. troops from Afghanistan has come under scrutiny following conflicting reports about her role in the decision-making process. Despite confirming that she was the 'last person in the room' with President Biden before the withdrawal, the extent of her impact remains unclear.
According to officials, Harris raised important questions during interagency meetings in early 2021 but did not push for policy changes. One senior military official described her approach as akin to that of a district attorney, asking probing questions without revealing her stance on the matter.
However, another former military official stated that Harris did not play a significant role in National Security Council meetings led by Biden in 2021, although she may have advised him privately outside of those sessions.
A spokesperson for Harris emphasized that she supported Biden's decision to end the war in Afghanistan and asked insightful questions during deliberations. The vice president had previously expressed her commitment to ensuring stability in the region and protecting the gains made for Afghan women.
During the withdrawal process, there were hopes that Harris would advocate for retaining some U.S. troops in Afghanistan to secure a peace deal with the Taliban and safeguard women's rights. Criticism of Biden's handling of the withdrawal, particularly his failure to acknowledge the U.S. service members killed in a suicide bombing at Hamid Karzai International Airport, has been vocal among Republicans and former President Trump.
Despite the scrutiny, the criticism of Harris regarding the Afghanistan withdrawal has not gained significant traction as the Democratic ticket shifts focus to her and her running mate, Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz. The aftermath of the chaotic evacuation from Kabul continues to raise questions about the decision-making process and the roles of key officials involved.
