WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Lindsey Graham (R-South Carolina) today made the following statement after President Biden’s remarks on Afghanistan.

“President Biden chose a dangerous and dishonorable path in Afghanistan, and he has no one to blame for this debacle but himself. 

“By standing by his decision to withdraw, President Biden is standing by to allow the slaughter of thousands of Afghans who have faithfully stood by America’s side.  He is standing by to allow the rise of al-Qaeda, in collaboration with the Taliban, to threaten America. 

“Whether it was Iraq, Syria, Iran, Afghanistan, or our southern border, Joe Biden does not have the judgment to keep America safe and does not have the ability to understand the threats we face.  It is a dangerous and lethal combination. 

“With today’s speech, President Biden reinforced the view he still does not understand the War on Terror or how to protect America from the threat of radical Islam. 

“The speech was a pathetic attempt to shift blame and an unnerving analysis of the situation he – and he alone – created.  Contrary to what he may say or think, President Biden has not ended the war in Afghanistan.  He is simply creating a new chapter – one that will be filled by Taliban thugs and al-Qaeda murderers.

“President Biden was quick to blame others and never acknowledging the blame lies with him. The essence of his address was ‘The buck stops with me, but President Trump and others made me do it.’  Not exactly Harry Truman.

“President Biden made these decisions against sound military advice, and everything he was warned about is now coming true.  The situation we see today is bad and getting worse. I fear the worst is still to come.

“Finally, given his record, President Biden is a poor defender of human rights and democracy.  These two causes could not have a worse champion than Joe Biden.”

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