August 28, 2024, Representative Pat Fallon (R-Texas) took to his official X account (formerly Twitter) to deliver a scathing critique of Vice President Kamala Harris and the Biden administration over their handling of the U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan. His post reignited the debate surrounding the chaotic and tragic events that marked the withdrawal, particularly the loss of 13 American service members.
Rep. Fallon’s criticism was centered on Vice President Harris’s previous statement that she was “the last person in the room” when the final decision to withdraw American forces from Afghanistan was made. He accused the Biden-Harris administration of knowing the risks associated with the withdrawal and failing to take necessary precautions, leading to what he described as preventable deaths.
“Remember when Kamala Harris bragged about being ‘the last person in the room’ when the final decision was made to withdraw from Afghanistan? The Biden-Harris admin knew this was preventable but didn’t care. Their incompetence caused 13 American heroes to lose their lives,” Fallon tweeted.
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The withdrawal, completed in August 2021, has been widely scrutinized, with many pointing to the chaotic scenes at Kabul’s Hamid Karzai International Airport as emblematic of the withdrawal’s failures. Desperate Afghans tried to flee the country, and a deadly ISIS-K suicide bombing on August 26, 2021, resulted in the deaths of 13 U.S. service members and over 170 Afghan civilians. This incident has been one of the most potent symbols of what critics call the administration’s poor planning and execution of the withdrawal.
Fallon’s comments reflect a broader frustration among many Republicans and some Democrats who believe that the administration, including Vice President Harris, could have done more to ensure a safer and more orderly evacuation. His assertion that the administration “didn’t care” echoes the deep anger felt by those who view the withdrawal as a significant failure in U.S. foreign policy.
Vice President Harris’s role in the decision-making process has been a focal point for critics who argue that her involvement makes her directly accountable for the outcomes of the withdrawal. Harris had confirmed in a 2021 interview that she was a key advisor to President Biden during the critical discussions leading up to the decision to withdraw.
Supporters of the Biden administration, however, argue that the withdrawal, while difficult, was a necessary step to end America’s longest war. They emphasize that the situation in Afghanistan was deteriorating rapidly and that continuing the war indefinitely was not a viable option. Additionally, they point to the Trump administration’s deal with the Taliban, which set the stage for the U.S. departure and left the Biden administration with limited alternatives.
Despite these defenses, the Afghanistan withdrawal remains a contentious issue, particularly as the 2024 presidential election approaches. Republicans frequently invoke the withdrawal as evidence of what they view as the Biden administration’s incompetence and failure in foreign policy.
For Vice President Harris, the criticism extends beyond the withdrawal itself, as she faces broader accusations of disengagement from key issues and a lack of accountability for the administration’s perceived shortcomings. These critiques are likely to resurface as major talking points for opponents in the upcoming election.
The memory of the 13 fallen service members continues to serve as a somber reminder of the high stakes involved in decisions of war and peace. For their families, the loss is deeply personal; for the nation, it is a moment of reflection on the costs of military intervention and the responsibilities of leadership.
Rep. Pat Fallon’s remarks encapsulate the ongoing frustration and anger over the Afghanistan withdrawal, underscoring the lasting impact of these events on the nation’s political landscape. As the debate continues, the questions of leadership, accountability, and the rule of law remain unresolved, with the Afghanistan withdrawal expected to be a significant issue in the 2024 election and beyond.
