Over the weekend, we all watched in horror as Kabul fell and Afghanistan descended into complete chaos. What ensued was nothing short of tragic. We all watched as the former US embassy in Kabul was evacuated by helicopter. This imagery immediately drawing comparisons to the fall of Saigon and the end of the Vietnam War. 

It is stunning how wrong President Biden has been on Afghanistan. Just last month, when President Biden was asked about Kabul potentially falling he claimed that the situation was completely different than Vietnam and that Kabul would not be taken.

When the President finally addressed the nation on Monday afternoon, his speech seemed completely divorced from reality and the facts on the ground.  It was horrifying to watch Americans and Afghans who supported the U.S. run for their lives and try to reach safety.

The President claimed the "buck stops with me" but then proceeded to blame Afghans, the history of the region, and previous Presidents, including President Obama, who Mr. Biden served as Vice President for eight years. 

On Monday evening, I gave a live video update on Facebook. This Afghanistan withdrawal debacle falls squarely on President Biden, his Administration, and leadership in the military as well as the intelligence community. I called for the resignation of Secretary of State Anthony Blinken and General Mark Milley, the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs. You can watch my Monday night update below.

On Tuesday, I discussed President Biden's failure to lead and the ongoing debacle in Afghanistan. This could have been avoided. The President is responsible for failing to have a measured and secure withdrawal from Afghanistan. The focus now must be on safely evacuating American citizens and our allies. Once that is done, Congress must investigate how this massive failure happened. There must be accountability. You can watch my full conversation with Rick Albin that aired on WOOD TV below. 

Also on Tuesday, I joined with my colleagues on the Financial Services Committee and called on the Biden Administration to block the International Monetary Fund (IMF) from giving the Taliban $450 million in Special Drawing Rights. Below is the copy of the letter we sent to Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen.  

Thankfully, late yesterday the Treasury Department and the IMF announced they would deny the Taliban access to the $450 million in funding. This is a common sense, non controversial step. Politico reported that our letter helped pressure Treasury and IMF to act and cut off the funding. This is an important step but so much more work must be done.

This is clearly a fast-moving and extremely dangerous situation. My office continues to assist West Michigan residents who are currently in Afghanistan. I want to publicly thank our men and women in uniform who are on the ground,  securing the airport, and evacuating Americans, our allies, and Afghans who have supported the mission. These heroes are working under some of the most difficult circumstances imaginable. They have my thanks and are in our prayers.