The Guardian
By Yvonne Wingett Sanchez and Ronald J. Hansen | Arizona Republic
President Joe Biden faced rare, bipartisan criticism Monday from Arizona’s members of Congress who were troubled by the collapse of the U.S.-backed government in Afghanistan and the chaotic evacuation from Kabul.
With the U.S’s chaotic withdrawal in Afghanistan, Sen. Mark Kelly and Republican members of Arizona’s congressional delegation criticized President Joe Biden’s handling of the collapse of the U.S.-backed government in Kabul and offered words of support for American troops.
GOP members of the delegation issued scathing criticism of the drawdown, saying it was “botched” and an “absolute wreck.”
Democrats highlighted the need to evacuate Americans and allies while Republicans said the White House’s exit plan, based on dire images emerging from Kabul, failed to implement an exit plan that prioritized safety.
Sen. Mark Kelly, D-Ariz., a retired combat veteran and member of the Senate Armed Services Committee, said in a written statement the rapidly deteriorating situation “reveals a failure to prepare for a scenario where the Afghan government and military would refuse to fight the Taliban’s advances when put to the test.”
The Kabul airport must be kept secure, he said, and evacuations of Americans and allies should happen as rapidly as possible.
Over the weekend and throughout Monday, Kelly’s staff had received dozens of requests for assistance for Afghan nationals and family members who are trying to flee the country, a spokesperson confirmed.
Many of the requests are coming from Americans, service members, and others, who are in touch with Afghans they served alongside. Kelly’s office is coordinating requests through the State Department and the Pentagon.
