Biden news live: President accused of ‘bald-faced lie’ in ABC Afghanistan
Biden says troops will stay in Afghanistan for as long as it takes to evacuate all US civilians
Joe Biden has said American troops will stay in Afghanistan until all remaining US citizens —and citizens of American allies — are evacuated from the country after receiving criticism for the chaotic withdrawal of US forces.
In a defensive interview with ABC News’ George Stephanopoulos on Wednesday, Mr Biden said there was no way of avoiding “chaos” by leaving Afghanistan, and that he was committed to evacuating Americans and US allies out before the deadline of 31 August, but that if any US citizens were still in the country, his forces would “stay till we get them all out.”
It follows criticism of the US for failing to evacuate Americans — believed in the be in the region of 10,000 – 15,000 — before the fall of Kabul on Sunday to the Taliban. A further 50,000 – 65,000 Afghans and their families are also awaiting airlifts, fearing reprisal from the Taliban.
A spokesperson for the group said this week it was committed to not attacking US troops, who are currently based at the international airport in Kabul, but that it wanted the US to withdraw by 31 August, which was agreed.
Republicans divided on refugee issue
While Republicans and Fox News anchors have been among the most vocal to criticise US President Joe Biden for America’s chaotic withdrawal from Afghanistan since Sunday, the American right has been largely divided on the issue of taking-in refugees who worked with the US.
While figures such as Tucker Carlson have claimed that Afghan refugees would arrive in “your neighbourhood”, moderate Republicans including Mitt Romney have joined with Democrats in calling for the evacuation of US allies.
“Now under immediate threat by the Taliban, we have a duty and moral obligation to assist these brave men and women,” said senators Mr Romney and Mike Lee in a statement on Wednesday.
Steve Cortes, a former Trump spokesman and current Newsmax host, was meanwhile ridiculed by a former communications chief for Mike Pence, who referred to the famous words enshrined on the Statue of Liberty….
Gino Spocchia19 August 2021 13:30
Omar calls out ‘hateful rhetoric’ on Afghan refugees
Congresswoman Ilhan Omar expressed sympathy with Afghans awaiting evacuation from the country, and called out commentators on Fox News for what she said was “hateful rhetoric” about refugees.
Ms Omar, in an appearance on MSNBC’s “The ReidOut”, attacked Fox News hosts Laura Ingraham and Tucker Carlson for fear-mongering in the days after Kabul fell to the Taliban — forcing both US civilians and refugees to flee.
Mr Carlson has suggested that the number of Afghan refugees “could swell to millions” and was tantamount to an “invasion”. Ms Ingraham has alleged that they would be “potentially unvetted” and asked: “Is it really our responsibility to welcome thousands of potentially unvetted refugees?”.
“This is their playbook,” said Ms Omar, a Democrat. “They know how to whip up their base into frenzy….There are people whose lives are going to be at risk, and we have to do…
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