Republican lawmaker says he did not threaten U.S. embassy staff in Tajikistan

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Rep. Republican Markwayne MullinMarkwayne Mullin The Hill’s Morning Report – Presented by AT&T – Supreme Court overturns Texas abortion law The Hill’s Morning Report – Presented by AT&T – Challenging Biden defends U.S. exit from Afghanistan. (Okla.) On Tuesday, he denied reports that he threatened U.S. embassy staff in Tajikistan when he called for help transporting a large amount of cash to the country as part of an effort to enter Afghanistan.

The Washington Post reported last week that Mullin had threatened U.S. embassy staff and the ambassador to Tajikistan, John Mark Pommersheim, during a phone call on Aug. 30 in which the congressman called for help. to bypass Tajikistan’s laws on cash limits.

He told staff he wanted to hire a helicopter to enter Afghanistan so he could rescue a family of five Americans.

Employees told the Post that Mullin was angry when his request was denied and threatened them and Pommersheim. The newspaper did not describe how people were threatened.

When asked about the report on Tuesday, Mullin denied the threat to Pommersheim or any staff member.

“Well, first of all, the ambassador and I in Tajikistan understand each other. And it was his group who really tried to help us as much as they could. It wasn’t, it’s a bad story, he and I talked about it yesterday and he actually apologized, “Mullin said during an appearance on CNN’s” New Day. “

“His boys are the ones who were really there trying to volunteer their time and help in the end, without going there,” he added.

He said he needed a large amount of cash to get more than 20 checkpoints, which charge between $ 500 and $ 4,000 per person, and added that they only take cash and not credit cards.

Mullin also denounced the State Department for having credited the rescue of a woman and her family from Afghanistan, alleging that it was the work of an organization called the Sentinel Foundation.

The congressman’s attempt to enter Afghanistan via Tajikistan was the second time he tried to travel to the country, according to the Post. He reportedly traveled to Greece last month and asked permission from the Department of Defense to enter Kabul, but was eventually denied.

His second candidacy to enter Afghanistan came about a week after representatives. Seth MoultonSeth MoultonHouse approves B push for defense budget Republican lawmaker threatened officials as they try to enter Afghanistan: report House lawmakers introduce bill to increase special immigrant visa limit in 10,000 for MORE Afghan partners (Missa D) i Peter MeijerPeter Meijer, GOP lawmaker threatened officials while trying to enter Afghanistan: report House lawmakers introduce bill to increase special immigrant visa limit by 10,000 for Afghan partners Biden goes into danger final hours of the mission in Afghanistan MORE (R-Mich.), Both military veterans, traveled to the country to conduct a “supervision” of the evacuation of U.S. citizens and Afghan allies by the Biden administration.

The trip was the target of criticism from White House officials and congressional leaders, who criticized it as a dangerous adventure and an incident that drifted resources away from the U.S. response to the region.

The last U.S. troops left Afghanistan last week and ended America’s longest-running war after twenty years of military involvement.

secretary of state Anthony BlinkAntony Blinken: Blumenthal “frustrated, even furious” over delays in Americans’ departure from Afghanistan After the disorderly withdrawal from Afghanistan, questions remain from the State Department that it has “no reliable means” to confirm if the Taliban prevent the Americans from leaving Afghanistan MORE on Tuesday dit the United States believes that “about 100” U.S. citizens seeking evacuation remain in Afghanistan.

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