House Republicans are demanding that the federal government hand over documents pertaining to the disastrous Afghanistan withdrawal.
House Foreign Affairs chairman Mike McCaul signed a subpoena earlier today after the State Department frustrated earlier requests. State Secretary Antony Blinken ignored yesterday’s deadline, leaving McCaul with no choice but to issue the subpoena.
Of key concern is the July 2021 dissent cable where 23 State Department officials in Afghanistan warned against pulling U.S. troops from the country. The department ignored these warnings. 13 service members died on the rushed day of the withdrawal.
The committee also wants Blinken’s response to the dissent cable. But the secretary says internal policy prevents him from turning over the documents.
McCaul said in a written statement he had made multiple good faith attempts to compromise with the secretary.