Tens of thousands of Americans and American allies are desperate to exit Afghanistan. But on Tuesday, two U.S. Congressman entered the quickly collapsing country, creating what officials said was an unnecessary distraction that diverted key resources.
Rep. Seth Moulton, a Democrat from Massachusetts, and Rep. Peter Meijer, a Republican from Michigan, spent less than 24 hours in Kabul on what they called an “oversight” mission. The two Congressmen are both military veterans who served in the region. They have been vocal critics of America’s messy departure from Afghanistan.
“There is no place in the world right now where oversight matters more,” they said.
After seeing America’s evacuation efforts firsthand, the two lawmakers released a statement saying the U.S. military should should stay in the country past its August 31st deadline. “After talking with commanders on the ground today and seeing the situation for ourselves, it is obvious that because we started the evacuation so late, no matter what we do, we won’t get everyone out on time, even by 9/11,” the statement read.
On Tuesday, President Biden said he won’t extend the deadline and the Taliban has reiterated its opposition to a prolonged American presence.
The Washington Post reports that American officials were furious at Moulton and Meijer for their unannounced visit:
Officials expressed disgust at having to divert resources and accommodate sitting members of Congress while racing to get evacuees out of the country. “It’s one of the most irresponsible things I’ve heard a lawmaker do,” said one diplomat familiar with the matter who was not authorized to discuss it and spoke on the condition of anonymity. “It absolutely deserves admonishment.”
A senior Biden administration official echoed that sentiment, telling The Post “It’s as moronic as it is selfish. They’re taking seats away from Americans and at-risk Afghans — while putting our diplomats and service members at greater risk — so they can have a moment in front of the cameras.”
Meanwhile, Speaker Nancy Pelosi wrote a letter to Congressional lawmakers warning them not to follow in Moulton and Meijer footsteps. The letter read, “Member travel to Afghanistan and the surrounding countries would unnecessarily divert needed resources from the priority mission of safely and expeditiously evacuating Americans and Afghans at risk from Afghanistan.”
But a Moulton spokesman insisted that the Congressmen did not interfere with U.S. military operations. They traveled to the region via a commercial airline and flew into Kabul on an empty military plane. For their return trip, they sat in crew seats that would have otherwise been empty.
“They also believe this method of travel, which will take them to an area where evacuees have been temporarily relocated, will provide them with additional information and increase their ability to provide oversight,” the spokesman said.
In a joint statement, Moulton and Meijer said they were not a distraction: “Trust us: the professionals on the ground are focused on the mission. Many thanked us for coming.”
