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Gallagher Statement on Afghanistan

August 13, 2021

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Rep. Mike Gallagher (R-WI) today released the following statement on the deteriorating situation in Afghanistan.

"If you've been watching the scenes coming out of Afghanistan this week, then you've seen that what is going on is not an orderly, planned withdrawal of our forces as promised by the administration, but a spiraling foreign policy and humanitarian catastrophe that combines the worst of the ISIS surge into Iraq with our ignoble retreat from South Vietnam. The message to America's friends—and foes—could not be clearer. America is leaving its allies, those who risked their lives to work with us, to be slaughtered while we meekly appeal to the Taliban for mercy. Advocates for total withdrawal promised it would free up resources for the Indo-Pacific. Instead, more American forces are being sucked into the theater as the Taliban surges forward uninhibited and undeterred—often riding in US-made military Humvees. The CCP waits in the wings to expand their sphere of influence while we ask nicely if we could please evacuate our embassy.

"The choice is not just between enormous military deployments and disastrous powers vacuums leading to humanitarian nightmares. We can and must do better. The Biden Administration needs to get serious and fix this embarrassment. What a sad day for our country and for anyone who has worn the uniform of our Nation's military."