Pentagon says congressmen’s surprise visit to Kabul ‘took time away’ from evacuation efforts
‘They certainly took time away from what we had been planning to do that day’
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Pentagon spokesman John Kirby has criticised US congressmen Seth Moulton and Peter Meijer for their surprise trip to Afghanistan, saying it diverted resources.
Mr Kirby said that the Department of Defense was not aware of the visit by Mr Moulton, a Democrat from Massachusetts, and Mr Meijer, a Republican from Michigan, before it happened.
“We were not aware of this visit and we are obviously not encouraging VIP visits to a very tense dangerous and dynamic situation,” he said.
Mr Kirby added he thought Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin would have appreciated an opportunity to speak with the congressmen before the visit.
“To say there wasn’t a need to flex and to alter the day’s flow, including the need to have protection for these members of Congress, that wouldn’t be a genuine thing for me to assert,” he said.
“They certainly took time away from what we had been planning to do that day.”
House Speaker Nancy Pelosi similarly criticized the two members, both of whom are veterans.
“It’s not just about them going to Afghanistan, but them going to the region because there’s a call on our resources diplomatically, military and the rest in the region as well,” she told reporters during her weekly news conference on Wednesday.
“So this is deadly serious. We do not want members to go.”
Accordingly, Ms Pelosi sent a letter to her colleagues telling them not to go to the region.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments