Two congressmen sneak into Afghanistan on visit Pentagon officials call disruptive

[Nevilledog]

Link to tweet

https://www.dailykos.com/stories/2021/8/25/2048077/-No-matter-how-many-people-get-evacuated-from-Afghanistan-expect-the-media-to-call-it-a-failure


*snip*

On reading that two members of Congress made an unauthorized, unannounced visit to Afghanistan on Tuesday with the announced intention to “provide oversight on the executive branch,” the first assumption might be that Matt Gaetz and Marjorie Taylor Greene had decided to take their roadshow to Kabul, where the Taliban might provide an audience just their speed. But, as The Washington Post reports, the pair were actually Democratic Rep. Seth Moulton and Republican Rep. Peter Meijer. Both men swore the visit was not just a publicity stunt, and since both had previously served in the military, both well knew that ... they were involved in a ludicrous and dangerous publicity stunt. The trip involved slipping into Kabul aboard a military aircraft without clearing the visit with anyone and getting back home in seats reserved for crew members. All so that Moulton and Meijer could conduct some “oversight” in a location that is currently the focus of half the world’s news cameras.

Both the White House and Pentagon were said to be “furious.” However, Fox News loved the stunt, if only because it gave them an extended opportunity to wonder what Biden might be covering up, talk about his “plunging” popularity, and use the word “chaos” in whole new ways.

Or, as a White House official told the Post, the trip was, “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.” Moulton and Meijer have denied this, but they’ve yet to produce any hard-gained knowledge that made the trip worthwhile. In a joint statement, they pushed Biden to extend the deadline, saying that “it’s clear” everyone won’t be evacuated by Aug. 31—a statement that seems like a retread of Ward’s incorrect assumption.

According to White House figures, 82,300 people have been evacuated from Kabul since Aug. 14, when the Taliban entered the city. In total, 87,900 have been evacuated since July. Around 19,000 were evacuated on Tuesday alone. How many Americans remain in Afghanistan is not clear. On Aug. 18, President Biden estimated the number of Americans in Afghanistan sat between 10,000 and 15,000. How many remain is not known, but that number is likely to be small. On Wednesday morning, Fox News claimed to have spoken to an American woman in Kabul who had not left her home because she didn’t have “clear instructions” from the White House. This, according to Fox, makes Biden a liar. Have no doubt that no matter how many people are flown out, Fox will still be making these claims a month from now.

*snip*

[onecaliberal]

1. Trump told 20,000 LIES. Idgaf what they say about POTUS. They have zero credibility or integrity.

[nitpicker]

2. I'm not surprised the Pentagon went off about this CODEL

Even well-arranged ones throw spanners into the works.

[Klaralven]

3. Should have reactivated them and put them to work

Moulton is a Marine combat veteran who left in '08 with the rank of Captain.

[PatSeg]

4. That is really disappointing

I want to think that Moulton did this for the right reasons, but even if he did, it was clearly a terrible choice. He of all people should have known that the presence of two congressmen in the middle of an emergency evacuation would be an unnecessary, possibly even a dangerous distraction.

Also being former military, you'd think he would have gotten authorization from the White House or the Pentagon first.

[Johonny]

5. Can we just leave them there?

We're trying to get people out, didn't they get the memo?

[former9thward]

6. They took a military transport plane there.

They did not "sneak" in.

[GopherGal]

8. How TF do they get aboard a military transport plane?

And what exactly was the value-added from them flying in, disrupting everyone's business for a couple hours, then taking two spots on a flight out?

[former9thward]

9. The military probably gave them a courtesy because they were members of Congress.

I doubt there are going to be two people left behind because of them. I don't think it is a big deal.

[Sneederbunk]

7. How did Tom Cotton and Ted Cruz miss out on this?

[JHB]

10. Cause the destination was Kabul, not Cancun.