Malinowski Disagrees With Withdraw Of Troops From Afghanistan

DISTRICT 7 — Congressman Tom Malinowski, who represents District 7, said he disagrees President Biden's decision to withdraw all U.S. troops from Afghanistan by Sept. 11, 2021.

"President Biden inherited a difficult dilemma in Afghanistan, and I appreciate the profound burden our president bears when deciding whether and how to deploy our men and women in uniform. Nevertheless, just as I opposed President Trump's attempts to withdraw all our troops from Afghanistan, I disagree with President Biden’s decision to do so by September," said Malinowski.

"Removing our troops will not end the war in Afghanistan, or protect us against terrorism. It will increase the likelihood of a Taliban victory and the collapse of our counterterrorism partner, which would trigger another prolonged conflict in the country. I fear that our troops won't even be coming home, since many may need to stay in the region to guard against the possibility of a Taliban takeover, continuing their operations from a riskier distance," Malinowski continued.

The withdrawal date would mark the 20th anniversary of the tragic terrorist attacks on the country on 9/11. Troops have been overseas in Afganistan since the attack on the U.S.

Malinowski said while he can respect those who argue that 20 years in Afghanistan is enough, he feels that when leaving, the U.S. should let the Afghan people, through their civil society and elected government, decide what comes next.

"If they want to pursue peace talks with the Taliban, we should support that. If they want to keep fighting for their country, we should offer whatever material aid they need to persevere. We should not force them into agreements or arrangements that are more designed to salve the conscience of those who are leaving than to protect the rights of those who are staying," said Malinowski.

Malinowski went on to add that the Biden administration and Congress will also need to develop a plan for protecting and resettling Afghans who would be at grave personal risk if the situation deteriorates before or after the U.S.' departure.

"Millions of Afghans have embraced their country's new freedoms and many have worked directly with us and our international partners, believing that their country would keep moving forward. We cannot let them down," said Malinowski. "This is another reason why it is important for President Biden to follow through on his promise to resume a generous level of refugee admissions to the United States."

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