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Kabul: Michael McCaul, chairman of the US House Committee on Foreign Affairs on Sunday formally requested transcribed interviews for the Foreign Affairs Committee’s investigation into the Biden administration’s withdrawal from Afghanistan in 2021.
McCaul is requested transcribed interviews of Jonathan Mennuti, former acting chief of staff to Acting Under Secretary of State for Management Carol Perez; Mark Evans, former acting deputy assistant secretary for Afghanistan; James P. DeHart, former lead of Afghanistan Task Force; Jayne Howell from the Bureau of Consular Affairs; and former Ambassador Daniel Smith, who led the State Department’s after-action review of the withdrawal, according to a press release.
“Through our ongoing investigation, we have determined these five individuals have important information that is critical to uncover facts about the Biden administration’s disastrous withdrawal from Afghanistan.
“It is crucial they speak with the committee without delay. As we continue to gather evidence, the Committee will continue to interview additional current and former administration officials involved in the planning and execution of the withdrawal,” he added.
According to reports these five officials are asked to make contact with the committee by May 22 to arrange for their transcribed interviews.
Most recently, McCaul threatened to hold Secretary of State Antony Blinken in contempt of Congress after failing to comply with a subpoena to turn over a July 2021 cable. The cable reportedly warned top officials of the potential collapse of Kabul soon after the withdrawal of U.S. troops, according to a 2021 Wall Street Journal report.
Following the withdrawal of US troops from Afghanistan, it became a controversial issue among American officials.
