Secretary of State Antony Blinken has been held in contempt by the House Foreign Affairs Committee over unanswered questions regarding the Afghanistan withdrawal.
At a Glance
- House Foreign Affairs Committee holds Blinken in contempt over Afghanistan withdrawal probe.
- The committee voted along party lines, 26-25.
- Democrats allege the move is a political stunt.
- The vote took place during Blinken’s trip to the United Nations.
House Panel Holds Secretary Blinken in Contempt
The House Foreign Affairs Committee voted 26-25 to hold Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken in contempt of Congress for failing to testify regarding the U.S. exit from Afghanistan. Representative Michael McCaul, chairman of the committee, pursued contempt charges after Blinken declined to commit to a testimony date in September. The vote followed party lines, reflecting deep political divisions on the issue.
Democrats on the committee criticized the vote as a political maneuver designed to damage Secretary Blinken and the Biden administration ahead of upcoming elections. They condemned the contempt efforts as partisan and theatrical, arguing that the committee should focus on substantive oversight rather than political grandstanding.
Secretary Blinken defied my subpoena & refused to select a single day in September to testify before @HouseForeignGOP on my report culminating the committee’s three-year investigation into the Afghanistan withdrawal.
While I take no joy in this, @SecBlinken's failure to comply…
— Michael McCaul (@RepMcCaul) September 24, 2024
Blinken’s Absence at the Hearing
Secretary Blinken, who was in New York for the United Nations General Assembly during the contempt vote, expressed disappointment in the decision. He stated his willingness to testify and mentioned offering alternative dates to the committee, which were reportedly ignored.
“As I have made clear, I am willing to testify and have offered several reasonable alternatives to the dates unilaterally demanded by the Committee during which I am carrying out the President’s important foreign policy objectives,” Blinken said.
House panel moves to hold Blinken in contempt over Afghanistan subpoena
The US House Foreign Affairs Committee advanced a report to recommend finding Secretary of State Antony Blinken in contempt of Congress for refusing to comply with a subpoena.
The panel advanced the report… pic.twitter.com/QSB9fSoij3
— Sputnik (@SputnikInt) September 24, 2024
Broader Implications and Next Steps
The committee’s contempt vote underscores the ongoing friction between the legislative and executive branches over foreign policy accountability. The House Republicans’ report blamed the Biden administration for the withdrawal’s chaotic failure while minimizing the role of former President Donald Trump’s February 2020 agreement with the Taliban. The report detailed both military and civilian failures that exacerbated the situation following the initial deal.
McCaul has stated that Blinken’s absence prevents crucial legislative solutions necessary to avoid future foreign policy catastrophes. “Secretary of State Antony Blinken brought this upon himself,” McCaul said. He emphasized that Blinken’s “willful indifference” and avoidance of accountability led to the contempt recommendation.
The full House of Representatives must vote to refer the contempt citation to the Justice Department for prosecution, which is considered unlikely to happen. Additionally, the House is expected to vote on a resolution condemning 15 senior Biden administration members for their roles in the Afghanistan withdrawal.
Sources
1. House Republicans advance contempt charges against Secretary Blinken over Afghanistan testimony
2. House Panel Recommends Holding Blinken in Contempt
3. House Republicans move to hold Blinken in contempt over chaotic Afghanistan withdrawal
