Secretary Blinken Held in Contempt: Details Emerge from Afghanistan Inquiry

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House Republicans have escalated their criticism of Secretary of State Antony Blinken by holding him in contempt over the Afghanistan withdrawal inquiry, but how will this political drama unfold?

At a Glance

  • House Foreign Affairs Committee voted to hold Secretary Blinken in contempt.
  • Vote was strictly along party lines, 26-25.
  • Blinken had offered alternative dates for testimony and expressed disappointment in the decision.
  • Democrats accused the move of being a political stunt.
  • Next step requires full House vote to refer the matter to the Justice Department.

Republicans Hold Blinken in Contempt

Republicans on the House Foreign Affairs Committee have recommended holding Secretary of State Antony Blinken in contempt for not adequately addressing inquiries regarding the U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan. The committee’s decision came after Blinken failed to testify in September despite multiple requests.

The vote, which concluded at 26-25 strictly along party lines, underscores the growing frustration among Republican members. Representative Michael McCaul, the committee’s chairman, has been vocal about Blinken’s continued refusal to commit to a testimony date and has accused him of “willful indifference.” McCaul emphasized, “Secretary of State Antony Blinken brought this upon himself.”

The vote took place while Secretary Blinken was in New York for the United Nations General Assembly. McCaul had previously issued multiple requests and a subpoena for Blinken to appear and provide testimony, a commitment Blinken allegedly failed to keep. “Finally, on August 19th, I spoke to him directly on the phone. He promised me a date would be, ‘nailed down in the next week.’ But he broke that promise,” McCaul said.

Contempt Vote Sparks Political Friction

Democrats have strongly opposed the contempt measure, denouncing it as a political stunt. State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller criticized the vote, calling it “a naked political exercise masquerading as oversight,” and highlighted that Republicans often scheduled hearings during times they knew Blinken could not attend. While Blinken expressed his willingness to testify and presented several alternative dates, Democrats argue that the Republican demand for his appearance was not made in good faith.

Blinken’s letter to McCaul expressed his “profound disappointment” with the committee’s decision to proceed with contempt. He highlighted, “As I have made clear, I am willing to testify and have offered several reasonable alternatives to the dates unilaterally demanded by the Committee during which I am carrying out the President’s important foreign policy objectives.”

Next Steps and Broader Implications

The full House of Representatives must now vote to refer the contempt charge to the Justice Department for prosecution, a step that is generally seen as unlikely to pass. This scenario creates a continuing saga focusing on accountability and transparency within the current administration’s handling of the Afghanistan withdrawal.

“Rather than take accountability for this, the secretary hides from the American people. He would prefer to hide rather than be before this committee today,” said Rep. Michael McCaul.

The ongoing dialogue between the administration and the House signifies more than just a dispute over schedules. It reflects broader tensions and the demand for accountability regarding the chaotic and tragic events during the U.S. military withdrawal from Afghanistan

Even as House Republicans issued a report condemning the Biden administration for failures during the Afghanistan evacuation, and while minimizing Trump’s role, the political divide continues to widen. McCaul stated explicitly, “This was one of the deadliest days in Afghanistan. It could have been prevented if the State Department did its job by law and executed the plan of evacuation.”

The full House will also soon vote on a resolution condemning 15 senior members of the Biden administration for their roles during the withdrawal. The actions and repercussions of these political maneuvers are set to play a critical role in the upcoming election cycle.

Sources:

  1. House Panel Recommends Holding Blinken in Contempt
  2. House Republicans advance contempt charges against Secretary Blinken over Afghanistan testimony
  3. House panel advances contempt resolution against Blinken over Afghanistan testimony

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