Biden sparks bipartisan backlash on Afghanistan withdrawal

April 14, 2021 3oliver

President BidenJoe BidenTrump: McConnell ‘helpless’ to stop Biden from packing court Biden, first lady send ‘warmest greetings’ to Muslims for Ramadan The business case for child care reform MORE is under fire from lawmakers in both parties over his decision to withdraw U.S. forces by the 20th anniversary of the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks that prompted the longest war in American history.

Biden is expected to announce Wednesday that he will order the withdrawal of all U.S. troops by September, pushing back a May deadline agreed to by the Taliban and the Trump administration. If he sticks with his plan, it would be a historic step that the previous two administrations vowed but failed to accomplish.

The move, however, is sparking pushback from Republicans and some Democrats who warn that leaving too early or without the right conditions could result in a sharp backslide.

The GOP backlash was swift, with Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnellAddison (Mitch) Mitchell McConnellTrump: McConnell ‘helpless’ to stop Biden from packing court Senate GOP opens door to earmarks McConnell sidesteps Trump calling him ‘dumb son of a b—-‘ MORE (R-Ky.) demanding Biden explain publicly why he’s “abandoning our partners and retreating in the face of the Taliban.”

“Precipitously withdrawing U.S. forces from Afghanistan is a grave mistake. It is a retreat in the face of an enemy that has not yet been vanquished and abdication of American leadership,” McConnell said from the Senate floor.

Members of his caucus were equally blunt.

Sen. Lindsey GrahamLindsey Olin GrahamMSNBC’s Joy Reid pans Manchin, Sinema as the ‘no progress caucus’ Overnight Defense: Biden proposes 3B defense budget | Criticism comes in from left and right | Pentagon moves toward new screening for extremists Biden defense budget criticized by Republicans, progressives alike MORE (R-S.C.) called it a “disaster in the making” and “dumber than dirt and devilishly dangerous.”

Sen. James InhofeJames (Jim) Mountain InhofeBiden defense budget criticized by Republicans, progressives alike Sanders expresses ‘serious concerns’ with Biden’s defense increase Senate GOP slams Biden defense budget MORE (Okla.), the top Republican on the Senate Armed Services Committee, told reporters that the decision was “outrageous.”

“You know, we’re talking about making a political decision on something where there isn’t any justification,” he said. “It should be conditions-based. … It’s the wrong thing.”

House Republicans were similarly incensed, with Foreign Affairs Committee ranking member Rep. Michael McCaulMichael Thomas McCaulGOP lawmakers block Biden assistance to Palestinians Iran talks set up delicate dance for Biden team House panel advances bill to repeal 2002 war authorization MORE (Texas) saying the withdrawal plan “shows a complete disregard for the realities on the ground, and will not only put Afghans at risk, but endanger the lives of U.S. citizens at home and abroad.”

Biden will formally roll out his plan on Wednesday, with White House press secretary Jen PsakiJen PsakiOvernight Defense: Biden nominating first female Army secretary | Israel gets tough on Iran amid nuclear talks | Army’s top enlisted soldier ‘very proud’ of officer pepper sprayed by police Israel gets tough with Iran as Biden signals shift from Trump Shocking killing renews tensions over police MORE saying he will talk about “the way forward in Afghanistan.”

Ahead of the speech, administration officials briefed lawmakers on the plan, and Defense Secretary Lloyd AustinLloyd AustinOvernight Defense: Biden nominating first female Army secretary | Israel gets tough on Iran amid nuclear talks | Army’s top enlisted soldier ‘very proud’ of officer pepper sprayed by police Israel gets tough with Iran as Biden signals shift from Trump Biden to nominate first female Army secretary MORE and Secretary of State Antony BlinkenAntony BlinkenG-7 urges Russia to stop ‘provocations’ on Ukraine Blinken announces appointment of first chief diversity officer at State Department Blinken, NATO chief discuss ‘immediate need’ for Russia to cease ‘aggressive’ military buildup MORE arrived in Brussels, where they were expected to brief NATO officials on Biden’s decision.

The administration has defended the planned drawdown amid the backlash, with a senior administration official telling reporters that Biden arrived at his decision after a “rigorous policy review.”

“We judge the threat against the homeland now emanating from Afghanistan to be at a level that we can address it without a persistent military footprint in the country and without remaining at war with the Taliban,” the official said.

The Pentagon says it has about 2,500 troops in Afghanistan at this time.

Under the deal with the Taliban signed by the Trump administration last year, the U.S. withdrawal is supposed to be contingent on insurgents meeting certain commitments, including breaking from al Qaeda and reducing violence in the country. But U.S. military officials have repeatedly said the Taliban has yet to uphold those commitments.

The administration official said Tuesday that in conjunction with the military withdrawal, the United States will be “putting the full weight of our government behind diplomatic efforts to reach a peace agreement between the Taliban and the Afghan government.”

But Democrats who joined Republicans in opposing Biden’s decision warned that the withdrawal could be viewed as abandoning Afghans, particularly women, after making progress on human and civil rights.

Sen. Jeanne ShaheenCynthia (Jeanne) Jeanne ShaheenLawmakers express horror at latest Capitol attack Five things to watch on Biden infrastructure plan Democrats wrestle over tax hikes for infrastructure MORE (D-N.H.), a member of the Foreign Relations Committee, said she was “very disappointed” by Biden’s decision.

“The U.S. has sacrificed too much to bring stability to Afghanistan to leave [without] verifiable assurances of a secure future,” she said.

Shaheen added that the administration needs to make “every effort between now and September to safeguard the progress made and support our partners in the formation of an inclusive, transitional government.”

Senate Armed Services Committee Chairman Jack ReedJack ReedOvernight Defense: Biden nominating first female Army secretary | Israel gets tough on Iran amid nuclear talks | Army’s top enlisted soldier ‘very proud’ of officer pepper sprayed by police On The Money: CDC extends coronavirus eviction ban through June 30 | Biden to detail infrastructure proposal Wednesday | US won’t quickly lift Trump tariffs on China Senate panel ties on embattled Pentagon nominee MORE (D-R.I.) was briefed this week by Austin on the decision.

When asked if he supported Biden’s plans, Reed paused before saying: “You know, there is no easy answer.”

Sen. Patrick LeahyPatrick Joseph LeahySenate GOP opens door to earmarks House Budget Committee ‘not considering’ firing CBO director OVERNIGHT ENERGY: Dakota Access pipeline to remain in operation despite calls for shutdown | Biden hopes to boost climate spending by B | White House budget proposes .4B for environmental justice MORE (D-Vt.) said he supports Biden’s decision, adding: “What choices does he have?”

“There are no good choices,” he said. “I worry that the Afghan government itself has never taken seriously enough the needs of things we’ll have to do.”

In what could become a cudgel for critics of Biden’s decision, the U.S. intelligence community said Tuesday morning before news broke of the withdrawal that it assesses “prospects for a peace deal will remain low during the next year.”

“The Taliban is likely to make gains on the battlefield, and the Afghan Government will struggle to hold the Taliban at bay if the coalition withdraws support,” the Office of the Director of National Intelligence wrote in its annual unclassified worldwide threats assessment.

National security officials are scheduled to testify publicly Wednesday about the report before the Senate Intelligence Committee.

Bipartisan opposition stymied plans to withdraw by both former Presidents Trump and Obama. But the Biden administration official insisted Tuesday that conditions in Afghanistan will not move the new deadline.

“The president has judged that a conditions-based approach, which has been the approach of the past two decades, is a recipe for staying in Afghanistan forever,” the official said.

Even as Biden faced bipartisan criticism for his decision, he also garnered bipartisan praise — underscoring the complex political lines on Afghanistan and the decades-long presence by the U.S.

“President Biden should withdraw troops in Afghanistan by May 1, as the Trump administration planned, but better late than never. It’s time for this forever war to end,” tweeted Sen. Josh HawleyJoshua (Josh) David HawleyHillicon Valley: Biden nominates former NSA deputy director to serve as cyber czar | Apple to send witness to Senate hearing after all | Biden pressed on semiconductor production amid shortage Hawley, critic of Big Tech, proposes ‘trust-busting’ agenda Biden picks vocal Trump critics to lead immigration agencies MORE (R-Mo.), viewed as a potential 2024 presidential contender.

Sen. Mike LeeMichael (Mike) Shumway LeeHillicon Valley: Biden nominates former NSA deputy director to serve as cyber czar | Apple to send witness to Senate hearing after all | Biden pressed on semiconductor production amid shortage Apple to send witness to Senate hearing after pushback from Klobuchar, Lee Biden picks vocal Trump critics to lead immigration agencies MORE (R-Utah), known for his libertarian-leaning views, said he was “glad to see us moving out.”

“I’ve got a daughter who was an infant when that war started, she’s now halfway through college. I want to see us get out of there, and a timely withdrawal seems like a good thing to me,” he said.

Biden also faced pressure from his own progressive wing to withdraw U.S. troops. Progressives argued on Tuesday that the moment envisioned by supporters of maintaining a U.S. presence in Afghanistan won’t exist.

“The endless war cheerleaders have been saying for 15 years that if we just stay in Afghanistan a little longer, the Taliban will give up and the Afghan government will get their act together. And they will say it for the next 15 years if we leave our troops there indefinitely,” Sen. Chris MurphyChristopher (Chris) Scott MurphyPassage of FASTER Act is critical for food allergy community Sunday shows: Biden’s border woes, gun control dominate Murphy, Toomey say background check bill could pass Senate MORE (D-Conn.) said in a tweet.

Sen. Bernie SandersBernie SandersAmazon workers have spoken — are progressives listening? What’s really behind Joe Biden’s far-left swing? It’s time to declare a national climate emergency MORE (I-Vt.) called Biden’s decision “brave and right,” while Sen. Elizabeth WarrenElizabeth WarrenOn The Money: Biden .5T budget proposes major hike in social programs | GOP bashes border, policing provisions Overnight Defense: Biden proposes 3B defense budget | Criticism comes in from left and right | Pentagon moves toward new screening for extremists POW/MIA flag moved back atop White House MORE (D-Mass.) added that she “strongly support[s] President Biden’s commitment to withdraw all U.S. forces from Afghanistan.”

Progressives also touted the historic nature of Biden’s decision.

“We are finally doing the right thing, and we’re now on the cusp of ending the longest war in American history for good,” Rep. Barbara LeeBarbara Jean LeeBiden funding decision inflames debate over textbooks for Palestinian refugees 10 Democrats join NAACP lawsuit against Trump White House delays release of budget plan MORE (D-Calif.), the lone lawmaker to vote against starting the war in 2001, said in a statement.

Updated at 6:56 p.m.