Republicans probe U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan

Home Republicans are planting targets for his or her first Biden administration investigations within the majority subsequent 12 months, beginning with the U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan.

Why it issues: It is the beginning of an investigation into an evacuation of unprecedented scale that noticed greater than 120,000 folks airlifted overseas after the Taliban swept into Kabul.

• The operation was clouded by a suicide assault that left 13 People and roughly 200 Afghans lifeless.

Between the traces: This investigation is more likely to be taken extra critically by the White Home in comparison with GOP probes into Hunter Biden and requires Homeland Safety Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas to resign.

Driving the information: In a sequence of letters obtained by Axios, Rep. James Comer (R-Ky.), the rating member on the Home Oversight Committee, is requesting documentation and declassification of supplies from a number of businesses concerned.

• He additionally crafted an inside memo alleging “unlawful” obstruction by the Biden administration, after receiving new materials from the official watchdog overseeing Afghanistan reconstruction.

The GOP memo describes “a sample of obstruction by the Biden Administration” utilizing emails John Sopko, the Particular Inspector Normal for Afghanistan Reconstruction (SIGAR), supplied to the committee.

• “We’ve got been requested (directed) that we must always not take part in any SIGAR interviews till after the Division management… completes their very own additional analysis,” a State division worker wrote in a Feb. 22 e mail included as an exhibit.
• “Giving such a path concerning SIGAR’s oversight is against the law,” Comer wrote, alleging “over 70 situations through which State, USAID, or Treasury declined, stalled, or refused to supply data, help, or interviews.”
• Different emails from USAID and Treasury Division staff counsel they had been “deferring cooperation” as a result of a “lack of jurisdiction.”

What we’re watching: Sopko and the Biden administration essentially disagree about his oversight jurisdiction.

The large image: In letters reviewed by Axios, Comer wrote to the State Division, the Nationwide Safety Council, DHS, Pentagon, and USAID about SIGAR and requested paperwork throughout all features of the U.S. drawdown.

• From NSC and the State Division, Republicans are searching for details about planning and communication concerning the withdrawal and any contingency plans.

• From the Pentagon, Republicans ask about troop withdrawal, together with the rationale for eradicating air help earlier than the evacuation of U.S. residents.
• From DHS, Republicans are requesting details about Operation Allies Welcome, and the vetting and relocation course of for refugees.
• From USAID, Republicans are trying into program closures and any USAID packages at the moment working within the nation.

A Republican oversight aide informed Axios that they’re mainly targeted on the choice to conduct the airlift out of the business Hamid Karzai Worldwide Airport and permit the Taliban to be in control of airport perimeter safety.

• They’re additionally investigating the shortage of planning round relocating refugees.

The opposite facet: “Our place is that aside from sure particular funds, SIGAR’s statutory mandate is proscribed to funds obtainable ‘for the reconstruction of Afghanistan,'” a State Division spokesperson informed Axios.

• “For the reason that Taliban takeover in August 2021, america has stopped offering help for the aim of the reconstruction of Afghanistan, and now focuses on assuaging the instant humanitarian scenario within the nation.”
• The State Division and USAID proceed to cooperate with oversight our bodies—together with Congressional committees and each businesses’ Inspectors Normal, along with SIGAR, the spokesperson stated.