Additional Coverage:
House Republicans Vote to Hold Blinken in Contempt
The House Foreign Affairs Committee, led by Republicans, voted to recommend holding Secretary of State Antony Blinken in contempt of Congress. The decision stems from Blinken’s absence at a hearing scheduled to discuss the U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan.
Despite the committee’s subpoena, Blinken did not appear, citing travel and diplomatic commitments. The State Department called the vote "a political exercise" and argued that Blinken had answered questions about Afghanistan multiple times.
Democrats on the committee criticized the move, calling it "political theater" and "a rushed vote." They asserted that Blinken had not obstructed Congress and that the matter should not be referred to the Justice Department.
Background on Afghanistan Withdrawal
The committee’s investigation into the 2021 withdrawal from Afghanistan resulted in a report released earlier this month. The report accused the Biden administration of misleading the public and ignoring warnings about the risks of withdrawing American forces.
Democratic members of the committee presented a counter-report defending the administration’s actions. They argued that the Republican majority had ignored the role of former President Trump in the withdrawal.
The Trump administration had negotiated the Doha Agreement with the Taliban, setting conditions for the withdrawal of U.S. forces. A State Department report later faulted both administrations for insufficient planning.