Source: Fox News
Summary
Rep. Matt Van Epps, R-Tenn., recalled the U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan five years ago, describing it as chaotic and poorly planned. He criticized the Biden administration for failing to properly execute the withdrawal and for not holding officials accountable. Van Epps introduced a resolution to commemorate the fifth anniversary of the Abbey Gate bombing, which killed 13 U.S. service members. He argued that the withdrawal was avoidable and that the Biden team ignored the conditions set by Trump’s agreement with the Taliban.
Our Reading
As expected, the matter has reached another stage.
Van Epps remembers the moment the U.S. left Afghanistan.
He talks to colleagues and feels the same frustration.
He says the Biden administration failed and didn’t hold itself accountable.
Five years later, the same arguments repeat, like a script.
Author: Evan Null
Five Years Later
Five years ago, the U.S. withdrew from Afghanistan with little plan and much chaos. Rep. Matt Van Epps, a former Army aviator, remembers the moment clearly. He said he was upset and felt others shared his frustration. The withdrawal led to the Abbey Gate bombing, which killed 13 U.S. service members and over 100 Afghans.
Political Motivation
Van Epps introduced a resolution to mark the fifth anniversary of the bombing. He said the Biden-Harris administration failed in the withdrawal and that it didn’t have to be that way. He believes the administration should have been held responsible for the chaos. The resolution aims to remember the 13 service members who died and to highlight the failure of the withdrawal.
Personal Connection
Van Epps served 10 years in the military, including deployments to Iraq and Afghanistan. He was an air mission commander and later served in the Tennessee Army National Guard. His connection to the withdrawal is personal—he had two close friends in Kabul during the evacuation. He said they did their job well but should never have been put in that situation.
Bipartisan Criticism
The Biden administration faced bipartisan criticism for how it handled the withdrawal. The Taliban quickly took over the country, leading to a chaotic evacuation. Some Democrats defended Biden, saying he was following Trump’s agreement with the Taliban. The agreement called for a U.S. withdrawal within 14 months.
Continuing Debate
Van Epps defended Trump’s peace deal, saying it allowed for a deliberate withdrawal with conditions. He argued that the Biden team ignored the agreement and failed to enforce accountability on the Taliban. He said they were more focused on optics than operations. The debate over the withdrawal continues, with similar arguments resurfacing each year.
