Antony Blinken Hit With Subpoena Over Afghanistan Withdrawal

House Foreign Affairs Committee Chair Michael McCaul has subpoenaed Secretary of State Antony Blinken over the chaotic U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan, reigniting a political firestorm that has haunted the Biden administration since 2021.

At a Glance

McCaul subpoenaed Blinken for testimony on the Afghanistan withdrawal.
The subpoena threatens contempt of Congress if Blinken doesn’t comply.
Blinken has already testified on Afghanistan more than any other Cabinet member.
The State Department has provided nearly 20,000 pages of records to the Committee.
The subpoena coincides with the three-year anniversary of the U.S. exit from Afghanistan.

Subpoena Issued Amid Ongoing Afghanistan Withdrawal Investigation

House Foreign Affairs Committee Chair Michael McCaul has taken the dramatic step of subpoenaing Secretary of State Antony Blinken, demanding his testimony on the controversial U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan. This move comes as part of an ongoing investigation into the Biden administration’s handling of the 2021 exit, which has been a source of intense criticism and political debate.

McCaul’s subpoena requires Blinken to appear before the panel on September 19, escalating the conflict between the Republican-led committee and the State Department. Initially, McCaul requested back in May that Blinken attend a hearing in September, but no date was ever finalized. The Chairman has now threatened to hold Blinken in contempt of Congress if he fails to comply with the subpoena, signaling the seriousness of the committee’s intent to obtain Blinken’s testimony.

CHM @RepMcCaul subpoenaed @SecBlinken for his refusal to testify before the committee on the Biden-Harris admin’s deadly withdrawal from Afghanistan.

"In testimony before the Committee, current and former State Department officials have confirmed that you served as the final…

— House Foreign Affairs Committee Majority (@HouseForeignGOP) September 3, 2024

State Department’s Response and Previous Cooperation

The State Department, through spokesperson Matthew Miller, has pushed back against the necessity of the subpoena. Miller emphasized Blinken’s extensive cooperation with congressional inquiries, stating:

“The Secretary has testified before the Congress on Afghanistan more than 14 times — more than any other Cabinet-level official,” Miller said. “This includes four times directly before Chairman McCaul’s Committee, including at a previous hearing that focused exclusively on Afghanistan.” He added that the Department has given the Committee “nearly 20,000 pages of Department records, multiple high-level briefings, and engaged on transcribed interviews of nearly 15 current and former State Department officials with the Committee.”

Miller also stated that Blinken doesn’t have any availability during the times or days that McCaul initially proposed for the testimony. However, according to him, Blinken has presented the Committee with “reasonable” alternatives.

McCaul insists that Blinken’s personal testimony is crucial for the committee’s investigation and potential legislative actions. The Chairman argues that as the final decision-maker for the State Department during the withdrawal, Blinken’s insights are indispensable.

Political Implications and Ongoing Controversy

The subpoena comes amid continued political fallout from the Afghanistan withdrawal. Republicans, including former President Donald Trump, have been vocal in their criticism of the Biden administration’s handling of the exit. The issue has gained renewed attention with the recent three-year anniversary of the withdrawal and the tragic Abbey Gate attack that resulted in the deaths of 13 U.S. service members and at least 170 Afghans.

“As Secretary of State throughout the withdrawal and [non-combatant evacuation operation], you were entrusted to lead these efforts and to secure the safe evacuation of Americans and Afghan allies,” McCaul stated in his communication to Blinken, underscoring the gravity of the Secretary’s role in the events under scrutiny.

The Committee’s findings following a three-year investigation into the withdrawal, expected to be released on September 9, could fuel further debate on this contentious issue.