KHTS
By. Zena Taher

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Mike Garcia, a veteran and Republican congressman for Santa Clarita, has released a statement against the Biden administration’s withdrawal from Afghanistan.

The Santa Clarita representative’s statement, released Sunday, criticized President Joe Biden’s “slow” evacuation of allies in Afghanistan as they attempt to flee the country following the withdrawal of United States troops.

“As Americans shelter in place in Afghanistan, the Biden administration is sitting on their hands,” Garcia said. “This is a nightmare situation. Non-U.S. citizens who have aided our nation will likely not survive if they do not have assistance in fleeing the country.”

In the statement, Garcia said the U.S. Department of State was not providing enough aid in the effort to move allies out of Afghanistan.

“My office is actively working multiple cases to assist in the evacuation of our Afghan allies who have served alongside U.S. troops and journalists,” Garcia said. “While we are doing everything in our power to help these people, the State Department has not only been slow to respond but the information we receive has been minimal.” 

Although the Biden administration has recently chosen to send troops to help out with evacuations in Afghanistan, Garcia said the needed soldiers may be dispatched too late.

“The Biden administration should have foreseen this problem ahead of the withdrawal and been better prepared to clean up the mess they knew they would create,” Garcia said.

Biden’s withdrawal of troops from Afghanistan, which follows a Trump-era deal to remove troops, has drawn criticism as Taliban forces quickly gained ground in the country.

On Sunday, the Taliban took control of Afghanistan capital of Kabul, prompting many Afghans to try to flee the country.

“Inaction is inexcusable – this is a life-or-death situation for thousands,” Garcia said. “May God bless and protect the Americans and Afghan allies who are currently fighting for survival. I will do everything in my power to assist these men and women.”