Republican Representative Cory Mills from Florida (R-FL) has introduced a resolution aimed at impeaching Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin for alleged "high crimes and misdemeanors" connected to the withdrawal of American troops from Afghanistan. The bill, obtained exclusively by the Washington Examiner, accuses Austin of "dereliction of his duties and intentional abandonment of Americans in Afghanistan."
The resolution asserts that despite having nearly 8 months as Secretary of Defense to prepare for a smooth withdrawal, Austin failed to adequately plan for such an exit, resulting in the abandonment of American citizens during the catastrophic events of July and August 2021.
The bill specifically places the blame on Austin for not taking the necessary measures to evacuate Americans and allies, even after intelligence suggested that they would be left behind in harm's way. It alleges that Austin's decisions contributed to the abandonment of as many as 9,000 American citizens in Afghanistan.
The resolution also points out the division between Austin's decisions and the guidance of top military advisers. It highlights that while President Joe Biden chose to withdraw the entire U.S. military presence from Afghanistan, against the recommendations of military leaders, Austin's role in executing this withdrawal is being questioned.
Representative Cory Mills, who serves on the House Armed Services Committee and is a veteran of the Army's 82nd Airborne Division, led the charge with this resolution. He himself participated in a civilian overland rescue mission of Americans from the Taliban immediately after the withdrawal, giving him firsthand experience of the aftermath.
Mills stated that the aim of this resolution is to move beyond mere committee hearings and to take substantive action in holding the administration accountable for the perceived failure of the withdrawal. He emphasized that this move is particularly relevant on the anniversary of the loss of 13 service members.
The resolution also received support from Chad Robichaux, a former Recon Marine who engaged in a post-withdrawal rescue effort, and Mark Geist, a former Marine who aided in the rescue of more than 100 Americans from the Taliban. They both criticized Austin's leadership and his focus on politics over military readiness and troop welfare.
In response to the resolution, the Pentagon declined to comment on impeachment efforts against Austin.
This resolution introduces a new layer of scrutiny into the aftermath of the Afghanistan withdrawal and highlights the ongoing debates and disagreements surrounding the decisions and actions of key figures in the U.S. government during that critical period.
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