GOP committee chair threatens Blinken with contempt of Congress over Afghan withdrawal information
NBCAUG 2023
The US withdrawal from Afghanistan was a disaster that the Bidden administration bungled. Congress has a legal right to see whatever documentation it wants to see, but Blinken has missed several deadlines to turn over the requested documents. Contempt charges against Blinken would just be part of Congress fulfilling its role of holding the administration accountable.
Levying contempt charges at Blinken is unnecessary. The administration and State Dept. are willing to continue to keep Congress informed within parameters of what is reasonable and ethical. Members of Congress have already received a classified briefing, and the White House and State have each shared more than they initially wanted to provide Congress. But releasing too many classified documents would have a dangerous and chilling effect on confidential discourse within the administration.