Republicans on the House Foreign Affairs Committee are advancing efforts to hold Secretary of State Antony Blinken in contempt of Congress following ongoing disagreements regarding his availability to testify about the U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan.

The push for contempt charges against Blinken reflects growing tensions between House Republicans and the Biden administration over accountability for the chaotic withdrawal from Afghanistan in 2021, as Newsmax reports.

Committee Chairman Rep. Michael McCaul (R-TX) has repeatedly set hearing dates over the last month, including one last Thursday, when Blinken was in Egypt and France, and another for this Tuesday, which coincided with Blinken's attendance at the U.N. General Assembly in New York. McCaul and his Republican colleagues have expressed frustration with what they view as delays in Blinken’s testimony on the matter.

Blinken’s Response to Contempt Proceedings

In a letter sent Sunday to McCaul, Blinken expressed disappointment with the committee’s move toward contempt. He stressed his commitment to testify but pointed to his existing duties as Secretary of State, which included addressing key international issues, such as the ongoing Ukraine-Russia conflict and Middle East tensions.

“I am willing to testify and have offered several reasonable alternatives to the dates unilaterally demanded by the Committee during which I am carrying out the President’s important foreign policy objectives,” Blinken wrote in the letter, urging McCaul to work towards a solution in “good faith.”

State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller echoed Blinken’s frustration, accusing the committee of scheduling hearings during times when Blinken’s availability was already limited. Miller suggested that the dates were selected intentionally to create conflict.

McCaul's Defense of Contempt Charges

McCaul has defended the committee’s actions, citing the need for transparency and accountability regarding the chaotic 2021 Afghanistan withdrawal, which left many Americans and Afghan allies in danger as the Taliban took control of the country. McCaul accused Blinken of making “false promises” about his willingness to cooperate.

“Let the record reflect that for four months, I patiently asked for and waited on his availability in September,” McCaul stated in his opening remarks. “But instead of working with me, Secretary Blinken made false promises and accused me of politicizing this important issue.”

McCaul’s efforts to hold Blinken in contempt are part of a broader Republican push to hold the Biden administration accountable for its handling of the withdrawal. Last week, the committee released a report criticizing the administration for its failures during the exit, while downplaying the role of former President Donald Trump’s February 2020 deal with the Taliban, which laid the groundwork for the withdrawal.

Democrats Call the Efforts Partisan

Democrats on the House Foreign Affairs Committee have sharply criticized the move to hold Blinken in contempt, dismissing it as political theater. Rep. Gregory Meeks (D-NY), the ranking Democrat on the committee, argued that the effort was aimed at scoring political points rather than seeking genuine accountability.

“It’s not difficult for the American people to see this for what it is: political theater,” Meeks said in his opening statement. He went on to emphasize that Blinken had already testified 14 times regarding the Afghanistan withdrawal, including four times before McCaul’s own committee.

Blinken has reiterated his willingness to testify again, provided a mutually convenient time can be arranged, but the escalating contempt proceedings may hinder any immediate resolution.

Broader Context of Afghanistan Accountability

The Afghanistan withdrawal has remained a contentious issue in U.S. politics, with Republicans frequently using it as a talking point to criticize the Biden administration. Former President Trump has repeatedly referenced the withdrawal during his campaign speeches, blaming President Biden for the chaotic exit while minimizing his own role in negotiating the deal with the Taliban that set the withdrawal in motion.

Despite these efforts, multiple investigations and watchdog reports have not found evidence linking Vice President Kamala Harris to the decisions surrounding the Afghanistan exit. The State Department, led by Blinken, has borne the brunt of the criticism from Republicans.

Contempt Vote May Be Delayed Until After Election

With Congress set to go into recess at the end of this week and not expected to return until after the November elections, it remains unclear whether a formal contempt vote will take place before then. McCaul has indicated that if the committee is forced to hold a vote, Blinken “has no one to blame but himself.”

Meanwhile, Blinken will remain in New York for the week, focusing on global diplomatic issues, including the Middle East and Ukraine-Russia conflicts. He has argued that these priorities should take precedence over appearing before the committee, at least for the time being.

Conclusion

The push to hold Secretary of State Antony Blinken in contempt of Congress has escalated tensions between House Republicans and the Biden administration.

While Blinken has expressed his willingness to testify, disagreements over scheduling and accusations of political maneuvering have delayed any resolution.

As Congress heads into recess, it remains to be seen whether a vote on contempt will take place before the November elections or if this dispute will linger into the next session.