• Biden gets criticism from GOP, questions from Dems,
President Joe Biden faced heated criticism from congressional Republicans after the attacks in Kabul, as some senior Democrats also questioned the Pentagon’s reliance on the Taliban to protect the international airport where the bombings took place.
While some Republicans said Mr. Biden should resign, most focused on demanding that the withdrawal timeline, set for Tuesday, be lifted to allow a forceful counterattack against the Islamic State forces that took credit for the bombings.
Some Republicans called for an emergency session of Congress, which is on its late summer break and not slated to return until mid-September.
The most vocal Democratic criticism came from Sen. Robert Menendez, DN.J., chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, who questioned whether Taliban guards had failed in letting the ISIS bombers get so close to the Kabul airport.
“I understand that American personnel were among the casualties and my prayers are with the victims of this cowardly attack and their families. As we wait for more details to come in, one thing is clear: We can’t trust the Taliban with Americans’ security,” Mr. Menendez said in a statement, before the full details of the death toll had been officially announced.
House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., used her statement to warn lawmakers against another unofficial visit to Kabul following the actions of two congressmen earlier this week, roughly 48 hours before explosions rocked the capital city.
The speaker also said that she has requested that briefings continue to be held for lawmakers. “As we continue this process, Congress, on a bipartisan basis, remains deeply concerned about the security and humanitarian situation in Afghanistan,” she said in a statement. “As we work with the Biden administration to bring stability to the situation, Congress must continue to be kept closely informed.”
Several Democrats called on the Biden administration to grant temporary protected status to thousands of Afghan refugees coming into the United States, many who will have special immigrant visas but who would otherwise be left in limbo while their status is reviewed for months or years.
“We believe part of that solution must include granting the administrative clarity that only TPS can provide — giving State Department and Defense Department officials under fire in Kabul and immigration officials here at home the tools and time they need to process these cases out of harm’s way,” Reps. Tom Malinowski, D-N.J., and Joe Neguse, D-Colo., wrote to Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas.
House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy, R-Calif., called on Congress to pass legislation that would prohibit the complete withdrawal from Afghanistan “until every American is out of Afghanistan.”
Other Republicans took a more blunt approach and called for mass resignations.
“It’s time for accountability, starting with those whose failed planning allowed these attacks to occur. Joe Biden, Kamala Harris, Antony Blinken, Lloyd Austin, and Mark Milley should all resign or face impeachment and removal from office,” Sen. Marsha Blackburn, R-Tenn., said in a statement referring to the vice president, three cabinet officials and the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff.
Some Republicans stressed a call for unity during the crisis.
“While it may be tempting to some to use this moment to score political points, now is not the time for that. I urge my fellow Americans to gather together to mourn the fallen, comfort those in pain, and pray for peace, leadership, and safety. President Biden should also step up, be the commander in chief we need, and show the world we will not tolerate an evil attack like this,” Sen. Kevin Cramer, R-N.D., said.