Utah Leaders React To Chaos In Afghanistan, U.S. Withdrawal

SALT LAKE CITY — The Governor of Utah and several members of Utah’s congressional delegation have responded to the developments in Afghanistan as the Taliban continues their advance and the government collapses.

The comments were made as President Joe Biden said Monday that he stood “squarely behind” his decision to remove U.S. troops from Afghanistan.

Gov. Spencer Cox

Gov. Spencer Cox reacted on Twitter, writing in part, “I’m sickened and devastated at the scenes coming out of Afghanistan and at the terrible miscalculation by our government.”

I’m sickened and devastated at the scenes coming out of Afghanistan and at the terrible miscalculation by our government. While there isn’t much Utah can do, we can open our homes and hearts to the brave people that stood by our military heroes. God help us. Utah stands ready. https://t.co/BTrbpjVYwq

— Spencer Cox (@SpencerJCox) August 16, 2021

The post went on to say, “Utah stands ready to welcome refugees from Afghanistan, especially those who valiantly helped our troops over the past 20 years.”

Sen. Mitt Romney

Sen. Mitt Romney also issued a statement Monday, which read in full:

“The President’s failure to acknowledge his disastrous withdrawal provides no comfort to Americans or our Afghan partners whose lives hang in the balance. Contrary to his claims, our choice was not between a hasty and ill-prepared retreat or staying forever. The decision to place a higher priority on a political promise than on the lives of innocent men, women, and children is a stain on America’s reputation and undermines our credibility around the world.”

My statement on Afghanistan: pic.twitter.com/NmIYKZLI7x

— Mitt Romney (@MittRomney) August 16, 2021

Rep. Blake Moore

Rep. Blake Moore said on Twitter Sunday that he was devastated by the Taliban’s onslaught on the Afghan people.

“With the lack of a residual coalition force, no strategy, and a withdrawal date that was clearly ceremonial, the Taliban has eroded decades of progress in just 4 months,” continued the tweet.

W/ the lack of a residual coalition force, no strategy, & a withdrawal date that was clearly ceremonial, the Taliban has eroded decades of progress in just 4 months. Terrorist safe havens threaten the security of the Afghan people, our regional partners, & US diplomats & troops.

— Congressman Blake Moore (@RepBlakeMoore) August 15, 2021

He spoke with KSL Newsradio Monday, calling the U.S. troops withdrawal a failure.

“No one’s arguing that 20 years, we have to figure out a way to get out of here, and it’s never going to be perfect,” he said. “But at a minimum, we needed to be able to secure our personnel and secure those who valiantly served alongside us in that region for as long as they did.”

Moore, who previously served as a foreign service officer, said he believes there was too much focus on trying to get out before the 20th anniversary of 9/11.

Rep. John Curtis

Rep. John Curtis criticized President Joe Biden’s actions, saying in part, “Biden’s disastrous moves in Afghanistan have not only severe consequences for Afghanis but weakens America’s credibility as we move into an era of great power competition.”

freedom and security to a historically restricted country.

Biden’s disastrous moves in Afghanistan have not only severe consequences for Afghanis but weaken America’s credibility as we move into an era of great power competition. It is difficult to see any result other than 2/

— Rep. John Curtis (@RepJohnCurtis) August 15, 2021

He went on to say Sunday, “Today, I pray for the Afghan people, specifically the women and girls, and am gratefully mindful of the American soldiers who have sacrificed to keep us safe.”

Sen. Mike Lee

Sen. Mike Lee called the situation in Afghanistan a “historic failure” he will hold President Biden accountable for.

He also wrote on Twitter, in part, “while it has long been the right policy to navigate a withdrawal from our nation’s longest war, the lack of adequate planning, security, and management has placed brave Americans and others at risk.”

/3 I pray for the safety of those Americans still in harm’s way, and I will continue to hold President Biden to account for this historic failure.

— Mike Lee (@SenMikeLee) August 17, 2021

Rep. Chris Stewart

Like Sen. Lee, Rep. Chris Stewart agreed that withdrawing troops from Afghanistan was the right move, but said the way it was done was a “blatant failure of leadership – both by President Biden and the Pentagon.”

But the ongoing catastrophe in Afghanistan was entirely avoidable and is a blatant failure of leadership – both by President Biden and the Pentagon.

— Rep. Chris Stewart (@RepChrisStewart) August 16, 2021

Stewart shared several other tweets, addressing the issue.

He concluded the thread by saying, “It pains me to see a mistake of this magnitude, but I could not in good conscious witness this level of failure without demanding accountability. Both Sec Def Austin and the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff General Milley should acknowledge their failure and resign.”

It pains me to see a mistake of this magnitude, but I could not in good conscious witness this level of failure without demanding accountability.

Both Sec Def Austin and the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff General Milley should acknowledge their failure and resign.

— Rep. Chris Stewart (@RepChrisStewart) August 16, 2021

Rep. Burgess Owens

Rep. Burgess Owens also shared his thoughts on the chaos in Afghanistan.

“The takeover of Afghanistan is nothing short of horrifying, and my heart breaks for the innocent women, children, and families facing the sheer terror of reality under the Taliban,” he wrote on Twitter.

The takeover of Afghanistan is nothing short of horrifying, and my heart breaks for the innocent women, children, and families facing the sheer terror of reality under the Taliban.

— Rep. Burgess Owens (@RepBurgessOwens) August 16, 2021

Owens called out President Biden’s for his response, saying, “Instead of taking responsibility for this catastrophic failure of strategy and leadership, President Biden doubled down on his administration’s indefensible decisions while abandoning our Afghan allies and endangering national security.”

Instead of taking responsibility for this catastrophic failure of strategy and leadership, President Biden doubled down on his administration's indefensible decisions while abandoning our Afghan allies and endangering national security.

— Rep. Burgess Owens (@RepBurgessOwens) August 16, 2021