Jen Psaki says Biden will thank military for dangerous Afghanistan evacuation mission and the veterans who supported effort in speech that's ALREADY been delayed by an hour
President Joe Biden will thank military commanders and service members for their work in the dangerous evacuation from Afghanistan in his speech on Tuesday, the White House announced.
In his remarks, the first since the United States withdrew from the country, Biden will explain his decision to end the U.S. presence there and pay tribute to U.S. veterans of the conflict.
Biden's speech, originally scheduled for 1:30 p.m., was pushed back to 2:45 p.m.
'In his remarks this afternoon, the President will express his thanks to the commanders and service members who executed a dangerous mission in Kabul and airlifted more than 124,000 people to safety; he will also offer thanks to the veterans and volunteers who supported this effort,' White House press secretary Jen Psaki said in a statement.
'He will lay out his decision to end the war in Afghanistan after 20 years, including the tough decisions he made over the last seven months since he took office to bring the war to a close. He will make clear that as President, he will approach our foreign policy through the prism of what is in our national interests, including how best to continue to keep the American people safe,' she added.
Biden addressed the American withdrawal in a 500-word statement on Monday, after the Pentagon formally announced the U.S. had left Afghanistan after nearly 20 years in country.
President Joe Biden will thank military commanders and service members in his speech first remarks since the U.S. withdrew from Afghanistan
White House press secretary Jen Psaki said Biden would explain his decision to withdraw the United States from Afghanistan
In his statement, he thanked U.S. troops and their commanders.
'Our 20-year military presence in Afghanistan has ended. Tomorrow afternoon, I will address the American people on my decision not to extend our presence in Afghanistan beyond 8/31,' he said.
Biden said the decision was the 'unanimous recommendation' of the Joint Chiefs and commanders on the ground.
'For now, I urge all Americans to join me in grateful prayer tonight for three things. First, for our troops and diplomats who carried out this mission of mercy in Kabul and at tremendous risk with such unparalleled results: an airlift that evacuated tens of thousands more people than any imagined possible. Second, to the network of volunteers and veterans who helped identify those needing evacuation, guide them to the airport, and provide support along the way. And third, to everyone who is now – and who will – welcome our Afghan allies to their new homes around the world, and in the United States.'
He ended his statement with a 'moment of gratitude' for the 13 service members in Afghanistan who died last week during the suicide bombing at the Kabul airport.
The president's approval rating has taken a nose dive in the wake of the Afghanistan evacuation and withdrawal. Only 38% of Americans approved of his handling of the situation, according to a ABC News/Ipsos survey released Sunday.
The situation also has hurt Biden's campaign argument that he should be elected for his competence and experience. Some Democrats, many Republicans and foreign allies had pleaded with him to extend the August 31st deadline but the administration argued it would not make a significant difference on the ground there.
Biden stuck to the deadline but paid a heavy price: 13 U.S. service members died in a suicide attack last week at the Kabul airport along with more than 100 Afghan allies trying to escape the country.
On Monday, the United States withdrew from Afghanistan, marking the end of a 20-year occupation that cost over $2 trillion and claimed the lives of more than 170,000, including 2,356 US military deaths.
The announcement from the Pentagon came after Biden's last scheduled public appearance on Monday and after the clock in Kabul clicked past midnight, making it August 31st there.
Afghanistan is now fully under the control of the Taliban.
'This victory belongs to us all,' said Taliban spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid from the tarmac of the Hamid Karzai International Airport, where the last American plane departed.
Taliban special forces fighters arrive inside the Hamid Karzai International Airport after the U.S. military's withdrawal
Afghanistan is now fully under the control of the Taliban - above Taliban soldiers in Kabul
The Taliban take control of Hamid Karzai International Airport after the completion of the U.S. withdrawal
The Harmid Karzai International airport in Kabul after the Taliban take over
Afghan refugees arrive at Dulles International Airport in Virginia
Secretary of State Anthony Blinken said on Monday evening there are between 100-200 Americans left in Afghanistan who want to leave.
'We believe there are still a small number of Americans, under 200 and likely closer to 100, who remain in Afghanistan and want to leave,' he said.
The Pentagon said Monday that more than 122,000 people, including 5,400 Americans, have been evacuated since July.
There are no American diplomats left in Afghanistan and the State Department has moved its diplomatic mission in the country to Doha, Qatar.
The United States ended its presence in Afghanistan on Monday, marking the end of a nearly 20 years in the country.
The final C-17, with the call sign MOOSE 88, lifted off from Hamid Karzai International Airport at 3:29 pm East Coast time, after the clock in Kabul clicked past midnight, making it August 31st there.
Biden statement on withdrawal of U.S. troops from Afghanistan
President Joe Biden will not address the nation on the withdrawal of U.S. forces from Afghanistan until Tuesday but he did release a statement on Monday.
The Pentagon announced Monday the last American troops had left Kabul airport almost 24 hours ahead of schedule, ending the U.S. war in Afghanistan after 20 years and the deaths of almost 2,500 troops.
I want to thank our commanders and the men and women serving under them for their execution of the dangerous retrograde from Afghanistan as scheduled – in the early morning hours of August 31st, Kabul time – with no further loss of American lives. The past 17 days have seen our troops execute the largest airlift in US history, evacuating over 120,000 US citizens, citizens of our allies, and Afghan allies of the United States. They have done it with unmatched courage, professionalism, and resolve. Now, our 20-year military presence in Afghanistan has ended.
Tomorrow afternoon, I will address the American people on my decision not to extend our presence in Afghanistan beyond 8/31. For now, I will report that it was the unanimous recommendation of the Joint Chiefs and of all of our commanders on the ground to end our airlift mission as planned. Their view was that ending our military mission was the best way to protect the lives of our troops, and secure the prospects of civilian departures for those who want to leave Afghanistan in the weeks and months ahead.
I have asked the Secretary of State to lead the continued coordination with our international partners to ensure safe passage for any Americans, Afghan partners, and foreign nationals who want to leave Afghanistan. This will include work to build on the UN Security Council Resolution passed this afternoon that sent the clear message of what the international community expects the Taliban to deliver on moving forward, notably freedom of travel. The Taliban has made commitments on safe passage and the world will hold them to their commitments. It will include ongoing diplomacy in Afghanistan and coordination with partners in the region to reopen the airport allowing for continued departure for those who want to leave and delivery of humanitarian assistance to the people of Afghanistan.
For now, I urge all Americans to join me in grateful prayer tonight for three things. First, for our troops and diplomats who carried out this mission of mercy in Kabul and at tremendous risk with such unparalleled results: an airlift that evacuated tens of thousands more people than any imagined possible. Second, to the network of volunteers and veterans who helped identify those needing evacuation, guide them to the airport, and provide support along the way. And third, to everyone who is now – and who will – welcome our Afghan allies to their new homes around the world, and in the United States.
Finally, I want to end with a moment of gratitude for the sacrifice of the 13 service members in Afghanistan who gave their lives last week to save tens of thousands: Marine Corps Staff Sgt. Darin T. Hoover, Marine Corps Sgt. Johanny Rosariopichardo, Marine Corps Sgt. Nicole L. Gee, Marine Corps Cpl. Hunter Lopez, Marine Corps Cpl. Daegan W. Page, Marine Corps Cpl. Humberto A. Sanchez, Marine Corps Lance Cpl. David L. Espinoza, Marine Corps Lance Cpl. Jared M. Schmitz, Marine Corps Lance Cpl. Rylee J. McCollum, Marine Corps Lance Cpl. Dylan R. Merola, Marine Corps Lance Cpl. Kareem M. Nikoui, Navy Hospitalman Maxton W. Soviak and Army Staff Sgt. Ryan C. Knauss