Lawmakers lay blame for deaths on withdrawal process
U.S. Sen. Jim Inhofe said Thursday that President Joe Biden must hold accountable everyone responsible for the deaths of 13 U.S. service members in Afghanistan, while other members of Oklahoma’s congressional delegation blamed the president and called for an investigation.
“President Biden alone made a strategic decision, and that decision led to the tragic events today,” said Inhofe, the top Republican on the Senate Armed Services Committee.
“We must do everything we can to protect against the loss of even more innocent lives.
“Right now, thousands of Americans and even more eligible Afghan partners are still trying to leave Afghanistan. They, along with our brave troops, cannot trust the new Taliban government with our security, especially against terrorist groups, some of which the Taliban have liberated and some of which they have enabled.
“Unfortunately, given the ongoing failure in U.S. civilian leadership, we are likely to see more terrorist attacks in the future — so it’s more urgent than ever that President Biden exhaust all resources and utilize all avenues to quickly and safely evacuate those who are still on the ground until the job is done, even if it goes beyond August 31.”
At a town hall meeting in Oklahoma City, Rep. Stephanie Bice said, “My fear is that things are going to escalate quickly now that we’ve seen this first attack.”
Bice, R-Oklahoma City, a member of the House Armed Services Committee, said Democratic and Republican lawmakers were upset about the way
“America must quickly deliver justice to those who planned and executed it.
U.S. Rep. Frank Lucas, R-Cheyenne,
withdrawal from Afghanistan has been conducted.
“This situation transpiring is how we did it, and I believe that falls squarely on President Biden’s shoulders,” she said. “He has to take responsibility, and now we’re seeing suicide bombers walk up to the gates of (Kabul) airport and detonate themselves, trying to harm not only Afghans but also U.S. military that are still there.”
At the White House, Biden said the service members killed Thursday were heroes trying to rescue Afghans.
Biden said, “To those who carried out this attack as well as anyone who wishes America harm, know this: We will not forgive. We will not forget. We will hunt you down and make you pay.”
Rep. Tom Cole, R-Moore, whose district includes Tinker Air Force Base and Fort Sill, called the attacks “horrific and despicable” and said, “America must quickly deliver justice to those who planned and executed it.
“Moreover, Congress must conduct an immediate investigation into the policies and decisions of the Biden Administration that led to this tragic loss of life. In my opinion, this avoidable tragedy was a direct consequence of the faulty assumptions and the poor execution of the Afghanistan withdrawal strategy devised and implemented by the Biden administration.”
Republican Sen. James Lankford said, “Our irresponsible withdrawal from Afghanistan has tragically left the door open for chaos for those remaining and has left Americans vulnerable. We must establish control, protect Americans and our allies, and be prepared to stay as long as needed.”
U.S. Rep. Frank Lucas, R-Cheyenne, whose district includes Altus and Vance Air Force bases, said “The hurried withdrawal from Afghanistan has tragically developed into a worsening security and humanitarian crisis.
“I remain extremely disappointed by President Biden’s decision to hastily withdrawal and his Administration’s assessment of implications following such withdrawal. As Congress awaits more details, the conditions in Kabul prove the United States cannot and must not rely on the Taliban to keep Americans safe.”