Congressman Michael McCaul has requested key State Department officials schedule interviews for the committee’s investigation into the Biden administration’s chaotic and deadly withdrawal from Afghanistan, which he said was a “disgraceful surrender to the Taliban”.
Among the officials called to provide transcribed interviews are former acting US ambassador to Afghanistan Ross Wilson and former special envoy to Afghanistan Zalmay Khalilzad.
In a letter to Khalilzad, dated August 30, 2023, McCaul stated that the former envoy was a “critical witness” for the House Foreign Affairs Committee’s ongoing investigation.
McCaul requested that Khalilzad arrange for a transcribed interview by no later than 5pm on September 7.
A similar letter was sent to Wilson and a number of other State Department officials.
“Through our ongoing investigation, we have determined these individuals have important information that is critical to uncovering how and why the Biden administration’s withdrawal from Afghanistan resulted in a disgraceful surrender to the Taliban, the death of 13 U.S. servicemembers and injuring 45 more — all which could have been prevented,” said McCaul.
“This was an unmitigated disaster of epic proportions and I will not rest until the American people receive the transparency and answers they deserve. The committee will continue to interview additional current and former administration officials involved in the planning and execution of the withdrawal.”
Officials who have been asked to schedule interviews are as follows:
Ross L. Wilson, former Acting US Ambassador to Afghanistan;
Brian McKeon, former Deputy Secretary of State for Management and Resources;
Zalmay Khalilzad, former U.S. Special Representative for Afghanistan Reconciliation;
Carol Perez, Former Acting Under Secretary of State for Management;
Ambassador John Bass, Under Secretary of State for Management, former U.S. Ambassador to Afghanistan;
Derek Chollet, Counselor to the Secretary;
Suzy George, Chief of Staff to the Secretary;
Salman Ahmed, Director, Policy Planning Staff; and
Dean Thompson, U.S. Ambassador to Nepal, former Acting Assistant Secretary for South and Central Asia
