Omaha, Neb.— Rep. Don Bacon (NE-02) has released the following statement, expressing his outrage regarding the Biden Administration’s disastrous retreat and the rapidly deteriorating situation in Afghanistan:

“President Biden’s reckless decision to continue the withdrawal from Afghanistan has set up the potential takeover of Kabul by the Taliban. Our national security interests are compromised, our credibility in the region is undermined, and our allies in Afghanistan, such as the interpreters, now have their lives in danger. The Taliban now controls over 70% of Afghanistan and conquered the second and third largest cities on Thursday. Afghan friends of Americans are being executed wherever they’re found by the Taliban.

"This is catastrophic and humiliating to our nation, and it is a result of very flawed planning and execution of the withdrawal of our small force we had remaining. The forces we had in Afghanistan prior to Biden’s ‘cut and run’ strategy were non-combat forces and largely in garrison. We were suffering the lowest number of casualties seen in two decades. The diminished airpower capability as a result of this withdrawal is the primary reason we’re seeing the Afghan forces fold. 

 “Further, the interpreters and translators, including women, children, teachers, doctors, and government employees, have aided and protected our military and government civilians for decades, yet this Administration had no plan when they announced their rapid retreat out of Afghanistan. This is a broken promise to those who sacrificed everything to help us.

“As a retired Brigadier General and Air Force officer who served in this region numerous times, I am outraged at the incompetence and disastrous policy put in place. There is still time for the President to change his policy and protect our national security interests and friends in Afghanistan.”

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