She handled it poorly.
Sen. JD Vance of Ohio has sharply criticized Vice President Kamala Harris regarding the Biden administration’s handling of the U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan. At a rally in Erie, Pennsylvania, Vance directed harsh words at Harris, accusing her of failing to take responsibility for the deaths of 13 American service members killed in the 2021 attack at Abbey Gate, Kabul. Vance claimed that Harris’s lack of action and failure to investigate the incident were disgraceful, and he expressed his frustration by suggesting she could “go to hell.”
Vance’s comments were prompted by a recent event where former President Donald Trump visited Arlington National Cemetery to honor the victims’ families. Vance criticized Harris for not addressing the incident properly and for allegedly politicizing the situation rather than dealing with the consequences. He accused her of not reaching out to the families of the deceased and failing to manage the situation with the seriousness it deserved.
In response to the criticism, Vice President Harris expressed her sorrow for the loss of the service members and reiterated her commitment to supporting military families. She defended the administration’s decision to end the long-running conflict in Afghanistan, despite ongoing controversies and investigations into the withdrawal’s execution.
The withdrawal has been scrutinized through multiple investigations, with varying accounts of responsibility. Reports have indicated that while some officials, including former U.S. Commander Gen. Mark Milley, accepted blame for the fatalities, there has been significant debate over the role of previous administrations. Rep. Michael McCaul has called for further accountability from current administration officials, stressing the need for clear answers regarding the withdrawal’s management.
The situation remains contentious, with Vance’s remarks adding to the broader debate over how the withdrawal was handled and the responses of various officials involved. The controversy highlights ongoing concerns about the accountability and transparency of U.S. foreign policy decisions.
