WASHINGTON — Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken has agreed to testify before the House Foreign Affairs Committee regarding the Biden administration’s withdrawal from Afghanistan in 2021, following months of contentious negotiations and mounting political pressure.
Representative Michael McCaul, the committee’s chairman, announced the agreement in a statement on Tuesday, expressing hope for greater transparency and accountability surrounding the chaotic exit.
“After months of good faith efforts that were too often met with stonewalling from the State Department, I’m proud to have secured Secretary Blinken’s appearance before my committee,” McCaul said.
A controversial agreement
The decision comes after the committee advanced contempt proceedings against Secretary Blinken, a move McCaul described as regrettable but necessary to compel the testimony.
“It’s unfortunate the secretary agreed to appear only after my committee advanced contempt proceedings against him,” McCaul said. He added that the timing, late in Blinken’s tenure, was also disappointing.
The hearing is expected to focus on the administration’s handling of the withdrawal, which critics have described as a failure, particularly in its execution during the Taliban’s rapid return to power.
McCaul emphasized the importance of the testimony for several key stakeholders, including “the American people, our Afghan allies, and our Gold Star families.” He expressed hope that the hearing would provide insight into how to prevent a similar crisis in the future.
“I look forward to hearing his testimony and asking poignant questions to help House Republicans and the next administration ensure nothing like this ever happens again,” McCaul said.
The date for Secretary Blinken’s testimony has not yet been announced. However, the session is expected to serve as a critical forum for examining the decision-making and operational challenges of the withdrawal.
