January 1, State Department Dodges Accountability: Afghanistan

–Rep. Michael McCaul warns Secretary of State Antony Blinken of contempt over unsatisfactory response to subpoena requests

–Subpoena concerns US withdrawal from Afghanistan and dissent cable warning of Taliban insurgency

–Blinken given until May 11 to comply with the subpoena

Folks, it’s no secret that our government has a long history of evading responsibility, and the recent debacle involving the State Department is no exception. Rep. Michael McCaul (R-TX) has given Secretary of State Antony Blinken an ultimatum, warning him of being held in contempt of Congress if he doesn’t comply with subpoena requests related to the US withdrawal from Afghanistan.

Let me remind you, these requests aren’t frivolous. They concern a dissent cable signed by nearly two dozen State Department officials, which warned Blinken of an impending Taliban insurgency a month before it happened.

CHM @RepMcCaul sent a letter to @StateDept threatening to hold @SecBlinken in contempt of Congress if he fails to comply with the committee’s subpoenaed documents regarding the admin's botched Afghanistan withdrawal. Read an excerpt from the letter here⬇️ pic.twitter.com/PC1Erd9zFk

— House Foreign Affairs Committee Majority (@HouseForeignGOP) May 8, 2023

This cable, if heeded, could’ve allowed our government to be better prepared for the Afghanistan evacuation, possibly avoiding some of the tragic loss of life and chaos that ensued.

Instead of providing the information requested, Blinken’s response was “insufficient.” He offered a one-page summary of the cable, a far cry from the full document, and a briefing that left McCaul questioning the credibility of the State Department’s official. It’s disheartening to see our leaders sidestep accountability when the lives of our servicemen and women are on the line.

Now, McCaul has given Blinken until May 11 to comply with the subpoena, offering options like redacting names on the cable to protect privacy. If Blinken fails to comply, McCaul warns that he’s prepared to hold him in contempt of Congress or initiate a civil enforcement proceeding.

In this land of individual freedom and responsibility, it’s baffling to see those in power shirk their duties and skirt the truth. Our leaders need to be held accountable for their decisions, especially when it comes to the lives of our brave soldiers. We can’t let our government hide behind bureaucratic loopholes and dismissive responses any longer.

This isn’t just about a single document or the State Department’s actions. It’s about the integrity of our institutions and the duty we have as Americans to hold our leaders accountable. Let’s hope that Blinken takes McCaul’s warning to heart and does the right thing, not just for the sake of transparency, but for the sake of our servicemen and women who deserve answers.

After all, we must remember that true patriotism means demanding the best from our government, especially when it comes to the safety and well-being of those who defend our freedom.

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