The US House of Representatives Foreign Affairs Committee on Tuesday (September 3) issued a subpoena to Secretary of State Antony Blinken, demanding that he testify on September 19 about the US withdrawal from Afghanistan in 2021.

Chairman Michael McCaul, who leads the committee, said in a letter that Blinken's refusal to attend voluntarily prompted the subpoena. It added that if he does not comply, Blinken&nbsp;could face contempt charges.

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The State Department, as per Reuters, responded to the letter and said that Blinken was unavailable on the proposed dates but had offered "reasonable alternatives" for a public hearing.&nbsp;

Department spokesperson Matthew Miller expressed disappointment over the subpoena, calling it "unnecessary" given Blinken's previous cooperation, which included over 14 testimonies — including four before McCaul's committee. He also said that the US Secretary of State had provided McCaul's committee with nearly 20,000 pages of department documents, multiple high-level briefings and transcribed interviews.

"It is disappointing that instead of continuing to engage with the Department in good faith, the Committee instead has issued yet another unnecessary subpoena," said Miller in a statement.

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McCaul argued that based on testimonies from current and former State Department officials, it was clear that Blinken was "the final decision maker" on the Afghanistan withdrawal. Thus, he was key to the committee's investigation. He insisted Blinken’s testimony would inform potential legislation that could&nbsp;prevent future mishandling of similar situations.

"You are therefore in a position to inform the Committee’s consideration of potential legislation aimed at helping prevent the catastrophic mistakes of the withdrawal, including potential reforms to the Department's legislative authorisation," said the letter.

The subpoena comes as the political debate surrounding the Afghanistan withdrawal intensifies amid the 2024 elections.

(With inputs from agencies)

The US House of Representatives Foreign Affairs Committee on Tuesday (September 3) issued a subpoena to Secretary of State Antony Blinken, demanding that he testify on September 19 about the US withdrawal from Afghanistan in 2021.

The US House of Representatives Foreign Affairs Committee on Tuesday (September 3) issued a subpoena to Secretary of State Antony Blinken, demanding that he testify on September 19 about the US withdrawal from Afghanistan in 2021. Chairman Michael McCaul, who leads the committee, said in a letter that Blinken's refusal to attend voluntarily prompted the subpoena. It added that if he does not comply, Blinken could face contempt charges. Also read | US charges top Hamas leaders for October 7 attack on Israel Blinken wasn't available The State Department, as per Reuters, responded to the letter and said that Blinken was unavailable on the proposed dates but had offered "reasonable alternatives" for a public hearing. Department spokesperson Matthew Miller expressed disappointment over the subpoena, calling it "unnecessary" given Blinken's previous cooperation, which included over 14 testimonies — including four before McCaul's committee. He also said that the US Secretary of State had provided McCaul's committee with nearly 20,000 pages of department documents, multiple high-level briefings and transcribed interviews. "It is disappointing that instead of continuing to engage with the Department in good faith, the Committee instead has issued yet another unnecessary subpoena," said Miller in a statement. Also read | New York Governor Hochul’s ex-aide indicted for being Chinese agent McCaul argued that based on testimonies from current and former State Department officials, it was clear that Blinken was "the final decision maker" on the Afghanistan withdrawal. Thus, he was key to the committee's investigation. He insisted Blinken’s testimony would inform potential legislation that could prevent future mishandling of similar situations. "You are therefore in a position to inform the Committee’s consideration of potential legislation aimed at helping prevent the catastrophic mistakes of the withdrawal, including potential reforms to the Department's legislative authorisation," said the letter. The subpoena comes as the political debate surrounding the Afghanistan withdrawal intensifies amid the 2024 elections. (With inputs from agencies)

US House subpoenas Blinken to testify on America's exit from Afghanistan

President Joe Biden’s administration has shifted the blame on its predecessor, Donald Trump, for the chaotic withdrawal from Afghanistan following the Taliban takeover in 2021.

On Thursday, the White House released a 12-page report highlighting US’ failure in starting the evacuation process early, adding that Biden was “severely constrained” by Trump’s decisions

The report acknowledged that the evacuation of Americans and allies from Afghanistan should have started sooner, but pinned the blame for the delayed response on the Afghan government and military, and on US military and intelligence community assessments.

“President Biden’s choices for how to execute a withdrawal from Afghanistan were severely constrained by conditions created by his predecessor,” the summary stated.

It noted that when Biden entered office, “the Taliban were in the strongest military position that they had been in since 2001, controlling or contesting nearly half of the country.”

<h2>Report: Biden inherited a chaotic and crippled operation</h2>

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The document was drafted by the National Security Council instead by an independent entity, with input from Biden himself, AP news agency reported.

A detailed review of and actions leading up to the withdrawal conducted by the State Department and the Pentagon, was sent privately to Congress on Thursday, the administration said, adding that the finds were classified and would not be released publicly.

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Republicans in the US House of Representatives, who are investigating the pull-out, had been demanding to see the report for weeks.

Responding to the accusation, Trump claimed that the Biden administration was playing “a new disinformation game” to distract from “their grossly incompetent SURRENDER in Afghanistan.” On his social media site, he said, “Biden is responsible, no one else!”

Later in the day, National Security Council spokesman John Kirby admitted that “clearly we didn’t get it right”, but avoided questions whether Biden has any regrets for his decisions and actions leading up to the withdrawal.

He said that the “purpose” of the report “is not accountability,” but rather ”understanding” what happened to inform future decisions.

(With inputs from agencies)

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President Joe Biden’s administration has shifted the blame on its predecessor, Donald Trump, for the chaotic withdrawal from Afghanistan following the Taliban takeover in 2021.

President Joe Biden’s administration has shifted the blame on its predecessor, Donald Trump, for the chaotic withdrawal from Afghanistan following the Taliban takeover in 2021. On Thursday, the White House released a 12-page report highlighting US’ failure in starting the evacuation process early, adding that Biden was “severely constrained” by Trump’s decisions The report acknowledged that the evacuation of Americans and allies from Afghanistan should have started sooner, but pinned the blame for the delayed response on the Afghan government and military, and on US military and intelligence community assessments. “President Biden’s choices for how to execute a withdrawal from Afghanistan were severely constrained by conditions created by his predecessor,” the summary stated. It noted that when Biden entered office, “the Taliban were in the strongest military position that they had been in since 2001, controlling or contesting nearly half of the country.” Report: Biden inherited a chaotic and crippled operation The document was drafted by the National Security Council instead by an independent entity, with input from Biden himself, AP news agency reported. A detailed review of and actions leading up to the withdrawal conducted by the State Department and the Pentagon, was sent privately to Congress on Thursday, the administration said, adding that the finds were classified and would not be released publicly. Also read | Judge, who presided over Trump's arraignment, receives multiple threats Republicans in the US House of Representatives, who are investigating the pull-out, had been demanding to see the report for weeks. Responding to the accusation, Trump claimed that the Biden administration was playing “a new disinformation game” to distract from “their grossly incompetent SURRENDER in Afghanistan.” On his social media site, he said, “Biden is responsible, no one else!” Later in the day, National Security Council spokesman John Kirby admitted that “clearly we didn’t get it right”, but avoided questions whether Biden has any regrets for his decisions and actions leading up to the withdrawal. He said that the “purpose” of the report “is not accountability,” but rather ”understanding” what happened to inform future decisions. (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE

Biden administration blames Donald trump for ‘hasty, chaotic’ 2021 Afghanistan withdrawal

U.S. Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin's response to reporter questions following the end of America's longest war, and the deadly storm that caused tornadoes and flooding in the Northeast after Hurricane Ida made landfall in Louisiana on Sunday.

WION VOA Co-Production: Lloyd Austin responds to questions following end of US' longest war