Murphy Response to Biden’s Afghanistan Speech

Washington, D.C. –Today, Reps. Greg Murphy, M.D. (NC-03) released the following statement in response to President Biden's press conference regarding the failed withdrawal of American troops from Afghanistan:

"I was hoping to hear the President accept responsibility for his chaotic and poorly planned withdrawal in Afghanistan. Instead he failed to articulate a clear and decisive course of action to protect Americans and our allies. President Biden offered a series of inflammatory excuses that deflected blame to everyone else but himself. While Biden told Americans that the ‘buck stops' with him, our commander-in-chief deflected all responsibility and pointed fingers at former President Trump and our Afghani allies.

As was pointed out by Ryan Crocker, U.S. Ambassador to Afghanistan under President Obama, ‘I'm left with some grave questions in my mind about [Biden's] ability to lead our nation as commander-in-chief.'

There is no doubt that Biden missed the mark and failed to confront the challenge of this moment. He failed to listen to his military advisers. He refused to answer key questions, and America is worse off because of his cowardice. Why wasn't the American military ready? Why weren't our allies evacuated months ago? Why weren't we better prepared? The American people deserve answers.

Departure from Afghanistan is supported by most Americans. That is not the problem. To be clear -- Biden is being criticized for his epic failure to execute a safe withdrawal from Afghanistan.

In refusing to recognize his culpability in this crisis, President Biden has done a great disservice to our nation and to our allies as we look to bring an end to the war in Afghanistan."