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Washington, D.C.— U.S. Congressman Andy Barr (KY-06), member of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, released the following statement on the disastrous withdrawal of American troops in Afghanistan: “President Biden’s precipitous, disorganized and disastrous withdrawal of U.S. troops from Afghanistan has jeopardized everything Americans fought and died for in that country. This catastrophic foreign policy blunder has culminated today with the fall of Kabul to the Taliban, erasing two decades of progress countering radical jihadists who threaten our homeland.
“The U.S. residual force of 2,500 troops, along with our NATO allies, kept Afghanistan from falling into Taliban control. This was a much smaller and less costly footprint than the American presence in Germany, Japan, and South Korea over the last 75 years.
“During my last visit to Afghanistan, I saw firsthand how these forces, in support of Resolute Support Mission, have been critical to countering terrorism and preventing another 9/11 style attack against our homeland.
“That is why, for months, I have warned the Biden Administration against surrendering Bagram Air Base as part of their withdrawal policy. Thousands of terrorists captured by American forces and detained at Bagram are now being released, free to target Americans and commit other heinous acts of terrorism. President Biden’s open border policies at the southern border make it much easier for them to do so.
“Multiple individuals on the terror watch list have been apprehended at the southern border since President Biden took office. That is why I am calling on President Biden to immediately reverse his dangerous open border policy and take all actions necessary to prevent these terrorists from exploiting our open border.”
Congressman Barr warned U.S. Special Representative to Afghanistan Zalmay Khalilzad about evacuating the Bagram Air Base during a House Foreign Affairs Committee hearing in May.
Illegal migration at the southern border is surging since President Biden took office. Over 1.3 million illegal migrants have been apprehended at the southern U.S. border since President Biden’s inauguration. In July, over 212,000 illegal migrants were apprehended at the border, the highest number in 21 years and a 420% increase from July of 2020.
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