Is it possible to rescue all those who want to leave and pull out the U.S. troops who led the evacuation?  President Joe Biden says yes.  In remarks today he said the United States is still planning to withdraw from Afghanistan a week from today. 

“The sooner we can finish, the better. Each day of operations brings a risk to our troops. But the completion by August 31st depends upon the Taliban continuing to cooperate and allow access to the airport.”

The evacuations have quickly increased with the president saying, “As of this afternoon, we’ve helped evacuate 70,700 people just since August the 14th. 75,900 people since the end of July.”

That number seems significant, but there are reportedly tens of thousands more people who may be eligible to leave the country. The New York Times previously reported that “more than 300,000 Afghan civilians have been affiliated with the American mission over its two-decade presence in the country, according to the International Rescue Committee, but a minority qualify for refugee protection in the United States.”

Biden addressed the country (watch above) after discussing the crisis in Afghanistan during a virtual meeting with leaders of the G7. White House press secretary Jen Psaki said this about the meeting:

The President conveyed that our mission in Kabul will end based on the achievement of our objectives. He confirmed we are currently on pace to finish by August 31st and provided an update on progress in evacuating Americans who want to come home, third-country nationals, and Afghans who were our allies during the war.

While Biden expressed optimism, a flurry of new information from on the ground in Afghanistan paints a bleak picture. Tuesday afternoon came word that the Taliban is no longer allowing Afghans to leave the country. The Wall Street Journal reports:

On Tuesday night, the Taliban blocked roads to the airport, shooting in the air to disperse crowds, according to witnesses. An Afghan who worked for a Western organization and tried to reach the airport said he had been told by the Taliban fighters manning the checkpoint that they are under orders to only let through convoys organized by foreign embassies. Individuals, even if holding valid travel documents, were being turned away.

The Taliban is also actively hunting anyone who assisted the U.S. war effort, according to a United Nations report, and protesters who’ve opposed the re-emergence of the violent regime have been beaten.

Politico summarizes one sentiment in the U.S., writing “the West Wing is looking increasingly disconnected from reality as the Biden White House strives to project a sense of calm competence — even as the Taliban tighten their grip on Afghanistan.”

Indeed, Biden’s remarks come as more Americans disapprove of his performance in Afghanistan than approve of it, according to an average of polls calculated by Real Clear Politics. That means Biden is ‘under water’ for the first time in his presidency.

There are plenty of people though who still support Biden’s decision and say he really was left with no other choice.