In a recent interview with CNN's "News Central," White House National Security Communications Adviser John Kirby confirmed that Vice President Kamala Harris played a central role in the planning and execution of the Afghanistan withdrawal.
Breitbart News reported that Harris was actively involved in the policy discussions and planning that led to the withdrawal.
The comments, made on Tuesday, come as a response to questions regarding Harris's involvement in the decision-making process. Kirby's statements highlight Harris's significant role in the administration's national security decisions. He emphasized that Harris's contributions were in line with her position as Vice President.
During the interview, Kirby responded to questions about Harris's involvement in the Afghanistan withdrawal. He stated that Harris was indeed at the center of the policy discussions and planning. This role is not surprising, given her position as Vice President, which naturally involves her in major national security decisions.
Kirby also addressed the House Republican report on Afghanistan, which suggested that Harris and President Biden worked in lockstep on the withdrawal. He confirmed that Harris was at the table for all national security decisions and supported the decision to end the war.
Kirby stated:
She certainly was at the table for all those national security decisions. She’s spoken herself about her support for the decision to end the war and her contribution to the policy discussions and the planning that went into the withdrawal, if she was at the center of that, of course, as she would be as Vice President.
The timing of the House Republican report, which was released just before the presidential debate, has raised questions about its political nature. Kirby noted that the report's release seemed strategically timed to influence public opinion before the debate. This observation adds a layer of complexity to the discussion, as it suggests that the report may have been motivated by partisan interests.
Kirby also pushed back against the idea that the administration acted recklessly in its withdrawal from Afghanistan. He asserted that the notion that Harris and Biden were unconcerned about the fate of Afghan women and girls is not true. This statement aims to counter any negative perceptions that the report might have created.
The interview with Kirby took place in the lead-up to the presidential debate, adding significance to his comments. The debate provided a platform for candidates to discuss their policies and engage with each other on critical issues. Kirby's statements about Harris's role in the Afghanistan withdrawal are likely to be a point of discussion during the debate.
The withdrawal from Afghanistan has been a contentious issue, with critics arguing that it was mishandled. Kirby's defense of the administration's actions is an attempt to counter these criticisms and present a more favorable narrative. The debate will provide an opportunity for both candidates to address these issues and present their views to the public.
The timing of it here, coming the day before the debate, it’s hard to escape that. But this idea that either the Vice President or the President were just recklessly moving to this withdrawal without concern to Afghan women and girls just flies in the face of the facts. That is not true.
John Kirby's interview with CNN shed light on Vice President Kamala Harris's central role in the planning and execution of the Afghanistan withdrawal. Kirby confirmed that Harris was actively involved in the policy discussions and planning, highlighting her significant role in national security decisions.
The timing of the House Republican report and its potential political motivations were also discussed, adding context to the debate. The interview took place before the presidential debate, making Kirby's comments particularly relevant to the ongoing political discussions.
