A senior investigator on the House Foreign Affairs Committee, Jerry Dunleavy, has resigned from his position with the panel, citing dissatisfaction with the committee’s investigation into the Biden administration's withdrawal from Afghanistan.

Dunleavy’s resignation underscores broader concerns about the level of accountability and the handling of the Afghan withdrawal by U.S. leadership, as the Washington Examiner reports.

Dunleavy resigned from the committee on Monday, expressing frustration with Chairman Michael McCaul (R-TX) over what he perceived as a lack of effort to seek answers and remedial action regarding the U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan in 2021.

Having joined the committee after serving as a reporter for the Examiner from 2019 to 2023, Dunleavy made his resignation public by posting his letter on X. In his letter, he accused the committee of failing to pursue critical testimony and key investigative avenues.

Allegations of Unkept Promises and Missed Opportunities

Dunleavy’s resignation letter criticized the committee for making unfulfilled promises to the Abbey Gate Gold Star families and the American public. He stated that despite pushing for a serious investigation over the past year, the committee avoided necessary steps to ensure accountability for the Biden administration’s actions.

The investigator also expressed disappointment with the committee’s failure to secure interviews with key military operatives and others knowledgeable about U.S.-Taliban relations. This, he claimed, was a missed opportunity to fully understand and address the complexities of the situation.

Emily Cassil, spokeswoman for McCaul and the committee, responded to Dunleavy’s allegations by citing legal constraints and a lack of cooperation from White House officials as significant hurdles in the investigation. Cassil emphasized that the committee had been diligent in seeking information and that a report with testimony from about 20 senior Biden administration officials would be released in September.

Discontent with the Investigation’s Scope and Leadership

In his resignation, Dunleavy did not mince words about his disappointment in the committee’s leadership. He criticized McCaul for not fully utilizing the House Republicans' majority to pursue a more thorough investigation. Dunleavy suggested that the committee’s approach might embolden a pervasive culture of unaccountability in Washington, particularly in relation to the Afghan war.

Dunleavy stated, “I believe the Committee’s work has been important, and the investigation has repeatedly uncovered evidence further solidifying the undeniable fact that the dangerous decision by President Biden -- one strongly supported by Vice President Harris -- to fully and rapidly pull out all U.S. troops from Afghanistan with no plan for how to deal with the inevitable fallout was a deadly disaster.”

He added, “Even as I applaud the Committee’s successes, many of which have come because of your continued leadership on this issue, I must also recognize and highlight the investigation’s faults, particularly the missed opportunities resulting from the Committee’s unwillingness or inability to pursue critical testimony and from its failure to go down key investigative avenues.”

Committee’s Response and Upcoming Report

Despite the criticism, Cassil defended McCaul’s leadership and the committee’s efforts. She stated, “Having worked for Chairman McCaul for two years, I can tell you he pours his heart and soul into getting answers for our Gold Star families and Afghanistan veterans.” Cassil reassured that the upcoming report, set to be released in September, would reflect thousands of hours of work by both staff and committee members.

According to Cassil, the release of this report would mark a crucial next step toward ensuring the personal accountability that the Biden-Harris administration had allegedly refused to provide. She emphasized that the committee’s work would continue beyond the report’s release, aiming to address the concerns raised by Dunleavy and others.

Broader Implications of Dunleavy’s Resignation

Dunleavy’s resignation brings to light broader issues within the investigation process and raises questions about the effectiveness of the committee’s efforts. His accusations suggest that there may be a deeper reluctance within Washington to fully confront the consequences of the Afghan withdrawal.

Dunleavy expressed concern that the committee’s actions, or lack thereof, could perpetuate a culture of unaccountability. He warned, “As I repeatedly made clear to the Committee, I fear that those in the halls of power — the White House, State Dept, intel community, Pentagon -- have failed to learn the needed lessons from America’s defeat in the war in Afghanistan. Washington has a widespread culture of unaccountability, & that has been especially true related to this war.”

He further stated, “I fear that this Committee’s investigation will embolden, rather than remedy, that perverse culture.”

Conclusion: A Resignation with Far-Reaching Implications

Dunleavy’s resignation from the House Foreign Affairs Committee signals deep dissatisfaction with the current approach to investigating the U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan.

His criticisms highlight concerns about unfulfilled promises, missed opportunities, and a broader culture of unaccountability in Washington.

As the committee prepares to release its report in September, the impact of Dunleavy’s resignation and the validity of his concerns remain to be seen.