• About Us
  • Advertise
  • Contact Us
  • Privacy Policy
Sunday, May 28, 2023
The Iowa Torch
  • Home
  • State Government
  • Federal Government
  • Local Government
  • Politics
  • Education
  • Opinion
No Result
View All Result
  • Home
  • State Government
  • Federal Government
  • Local Government
  • Politics
  • Education
  • Opinion
The Iowa Torch
The Iowa Torch
No Result
View All Result
Home Federal Government

Ernst Questions Top Military Commanders About Afghanistan Withdrawl

U.S. Senator Joni Ernst questioned top Pentagon officials at a Senate Armed Services Committee about the Biden Administration's Afghanistan withdrawal.

Iowa TorchbyIowa Torch
September 29, 2021
in Federal Government
Reading Time: 2 mins read

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Joni Ernst, R-Iowa, questioned Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff General Mark Milley, and Commander of U.S. Central Command General Kenneth McKenzie at a Senate Armed Services Committee on Tuesday about the Biden Administration’s withdrawal from Afghanistan.

RELATED POSTS

Ernst says Senate must act to protect women’s sports

U.S. House passes debt ceiling bill after removing biofuels tax credit cuts

Ernst demands SBA prioritize fraud detection and prevention after widespread PPP fraud

In her opening remarks, Ernst stated that President Biden prioritized a cheap political victory—a withdrawal timed to the 20th anniversary of 9/11—and executed his vision with little regard for American lives or the real threats we face, and the loss of our servicemembers and abandonment of Americans and Afghan allies last month was an unforced, disgraceful humiliation that didn’t have to happen.

Ernst asked Secretary Austin if President Biden or any of his national security advisors expressed any military and diplomatic conditions for the American withdrawal from Afghanistan beyond the looming 20th anniversary of 9/11. 

Ernst noted that—as General Milley had stated—military recommendations should be conditions-based. However, Ernst said, “Secretary Austin, you are extremely diplomatic in your answers…but this was not a conditions-based withdrawal.”

ADVERTISEMENT

Ernst also expressed frustration in the inability to continue a diplomatic mission in Afghanistan after our diplomats were forced to evacuate the country.

Continuing her questioning of top Pentagon officials, Ernst pressed Milley and McKenzie to assess how the Biden Administration’s disastrous withdrawal will impact terrorist threats to the United States.

In response to Ernst asking if “the military’s task to defeat terror threats from Afghanistan [has] gotten harder” and if “the Taliban and its other terror partners have more ability to train and prepare in Afghanistan now that [the United States has] left,” General Milley acknowledged both are true.

Ernst also refuted President Biden, Secretary of State Antony Blinken, and others who have downplayed the threats posed by al Qaeda, citing that known associates of the terrorist organization now hold 22 top positions in the new Taliban government.

Watch Ernst’s open remarks and questioning during Tuesday’s hearing above.

Tags: 117th CongressAfghanistanBiden AdministrationJoni ErnstKenneth McKenzieLloyd AustinMark MilleyPentagonU.S. Department of DefenseU.S. MilitaryU.S. Senate Armed Services Committee
ShareTweetShare
ADVERTISEMENT
Previous Post

Winnebago County Becomes Iowa’s 18th Second Amendment Sanctuary County

Next Post

Sepp & Hendrickson: Democrats’ Tax and Spend Agenda Threatens Iowa Taxpayers and Economy

Iowa Torch

Iowa Torch

The Iowa Torch​ is a for-profit, news organization that focuses on political news as it relates to Iowans.

Related Posts

Bio Ethanol on the Way
Opinion

Miller-Meeks: Iowa is the future of renewable energy

May 23, 2023
Ernst: Let’s build the border wall instead of charging taxpayers to babysit materials
Opinion

Ernst: Biden’s border blind eye

May 16, 2023
black handled key on key hole
Opinion

Feenstra: President Biden’s unfair mortgage rule punishes responsible homeowners

May 11, 2023
speed train on rail
Opinion

Ernst: Hitting the brakes on Biden’s boondoggle gravy train

May 1, 2023
photo of woman holding ball
Opinion

Feenstra: Defending our daughters and granddaughters

April 28, 2023
Ernst says Senate must act to protect women’s sports
Federal Government

Ernst says Senate must act to protect women’s sports

April 27, 2023
Next Post
Grassley, Ernst Vote Against $3.5 Trilliion Spending Bill

Sepp & Hendrickson: Democrats’ Tax and Spend Agenda Threatens Iowa Taxpayers and Economy

Axne Calls for President Trump’s Cabinet to Invoke the 25th Amendment

Axne Calls Vaccine Opponents 'Crazies,' Says Christian Right Is Weaponizing Religion

Sign-Up For Our Daily Updates

Get The Iowa Torch right in your inbox!

Please wait...

Thank you for signing up!

Recommended Articles

Reynolds Signs Rural Broadband Access Bill Into Law

Reynolds Signs Rural Broadband Access Bill Into Law

April 28, 2021
Iowa State Government Website Domains Experience Disruption

Iowa State Government Website Domains Experience Disruption

July 22, 2021
What If There Is a Tie Vote in Iowa’s 2nd Congressional District?

Iowans Break State Record for Voter Registration, Again

January 4, 2021

Popular Stories

  • Bio Ethanol on the Way

    Miller-Meeks: Iowa is the future of renewable energy

    0 shares
    Share 0 Tweet 0
  • Harris: How to win in Iowa

    0 shares
    Share 0 Tweet 0
  • Hendrickson & Timmons: Making Iowa more competitive through occupational licensing reform

    0 shares
    Share 0 Tweet 0
  • Feenstra: Standing with our men and women in blue

    0 shares
    Share 0 Tweet 0
  • Three LGTBQ Books with Sexually Explicit Material Pulled from Waukee School

    0 shares
    Share 0 Tweet 0

The Iowa Torch

The Iowa Torch​ is a for-profit, news organization that focuses on political news as it relates to Iowans

Categories

  • Education
  • Federal Government
  • Iowa History
  • Local Government
  • News
  • Opinion
  • Politics
  • State Government
  • Uncategorized
  • Uncategorized

Newsletter

Please wait...

Thank you for signing up!

© 2022 The Iowa Torch, a publication of 4:15 Communications, LLC.

No Result
View All Result
  • Home
  • About Us
  • Advertise
  • Contact Us
  • State Government
  • Federal Government
  • Local Government
  • Politics
  • Education
  • Opinion

© 2022 The Iowa Torch, a publication of 4:15 Communications, LLC.