Republican Sen. Mitt Romney said the possibility of U.S. and Afghan allies falling behind in Afghanistan would be a “moral stain” and blamed the Trump and Biden administrations for the chaotic exit. Afghanistan.
“This is the result of very ineffective decisions, terrible decisions made by the previous administration and by the current administration,” Romney told CNN Sunday.
“It simply came to our notice then. It was avoidable, “Romney continued.
Some more context: In an interview with ABC, Secretary of State Antony Blinken said there are about 300 American citizens in Afghanistan who want to leave the country.
Romney warned that the US withdrawal from Afghanistan increases the likelihood of a Taliban-sponsored attack on the Americans and said the likelihood is higher today than when the United States entered Afghanistan 20 years ago. years.
“We went to Afghanistan because we were attacked on September 11 and we lost thousands of American lives. Now, America is in more danger. The decision to withdraw our military from Afghanistan puts us in danger, ”Romney said.
Romney said he welcomed Afghan evacuees arriving in the United States and distanced himself from Republicans who have criticized the relocation of Afghan allies to the United States on the grounds of restricting immigration.
“I believe in their hearts that they recognize that we have a moral responsibility and, in accordance with our national character, we welcome people seeking asylum in our country and, in particular, those who have fought alongside the our troops, ”Romney said.
When asked about the Utah Native Marine Corps sergeant. Utah native Darin Taylor Hoover, who died Thursday in an attack on Kabul airport, Romney called him “an American hero” and praised the sacrifices of the 13 service members who died in the attack.
“It’s an extraordinary sacrifice they make and it fits very well with our extraordinary national heritage,” Romney said.