White House National Security Council communications adviser John Kirby dismissed the concerns of military veterans over the Biden administration's handling of the Afghanistan withdrawal.

Kirby's remarks were made in a mistakenly sent email on the anniversary of the 9/11 attacks, a day of somber reflection for many, which intensified the response from critics, and the message, intended for internal White House staff, was accidentally sent to a broader audience, including Fox News Digital, leading to public outrage, as Fox News reports.

In the email, Kirby downplayed the complaints of a group of veterans, referring to them as a "handful" with similar viewpoints. This dismissive tone, coupled with the timing of the email, provoked sharp responses from veterans and public officials alike.

Many of these critics had already expressed dissatisfaction with the administration's management of the Afghanistan withdrawal, a debate that had grown increasingly contentious following a House Republican report on the matter.

Email Sparks Veterans' Outcry

Fox News Digital had reached out to the White House for comment regarding criticisms from several veterans, including Rep. Cory Mills, a Florida Republican and veteran of the Iraq War.

The email chain was initially sent to staffers within the White House’s National Security Council before Kirby responded with his dismissive comment. His email downplaying the concerns became public after being forwarded beyond its intended recipients.

Kirby’s response came during a trip with President Biden, who was also under scrutiny for the withdrawal. Veterans have long criticized the administration for its handling of the withdrawal from Afghanistan, particularly in light of a report from the House Foreign Affairs Committee. The report, chaired by Rep. Mike McCaul, accused the Biden administration of abandoning vital military equipment and failing to adequately plan for the chaotic exit.

Report Criticizes Afghanistan Withdrawal

The House Foreign Affairs Committee report detailed the abandonment of $7 billion in U.S. military weapons and up to $57 million in funds provided to the Afghan government. Veterans, such as Rep. Mills, pointed to these facts as evidence of mismanagement and poor decision-making by the administration.

Mills, who has been a vocal critic of the administration’s foreign policy, responded sharply to Kirby’s email, accusing the Biden administration of prioritizing politics over strategy.

Mills went further to accuse the administration of attempting to conceal its failures. “This administration knew exactly what they were doing, tried to cover it up, and got caught,” Mills said. He also referenced the loss of 13 American service members in the withdrawal, an event that has been a focal point of veterans’ frustration.

Veterans' Anger Grows Over Withdrawal

Several other veterans added their voices to the growing chorus of criticism. Stuart Scheller, a Marine veteran, lambasted the administration for what he described as a politically motivated decision to choose Sept. 11 as the withdrawal date. He argued that the arbitrary date was chosen for public relations reasons, rather than sound military strategy, leading to the withdrawal during the Taliban’s peak fighting season.

Scheller expressed pride in having identified the administration's failures in real-time, despite it costing him his military career. His sentiments were echoed by Chad Robichaux, another veteran, who criticized the administration’s decision to go against the advice of military and intelligence officials during the withdrawal. Robichaux argued that political loyalty, rather than the national interest, dictated the administration’s decisions.

Kirby Defends Administration's Actions

Despite the criticisms, Kirby continued to defend the administration’s actions. During a press conference, Kirby responded to the House report by criticizing it for presenting a skewed version of events. He reiterated that the Biden administration had faced a difficult choice upon taking office—either to honor the agreement made between the Trump administration and the Taliban or to extend the war, risking further American lives.

Kirby’s defense pointed to the flawed nature of the Trump administration’s deal with the Taliban, which he argued left President Biden with few options. However, this explanation did little to quell the concerns of veterans who felt their warnings had gone unheeded during the chaotic withdrawal process.

Veterans Continue to Voice Concerns

As the anniversary of the Afghanistan withdrawal passes, veterans and lawmakers alike continue to press the administration for accountability. Many have voiced frustration over what they perceive as a failure to take responsibility for the mismanagement of the withdrawal. Rep. Mills has been particularly vocal, accusing Kirby of deflecting attention from the administration's foreign policy failures.

Veteran Mark Geist added to the criticism, accusing Kirby of delivering a one-sided presentation of facts regarding the House report on Afghanistan. Geist argued that the administration had repeatedly downplayed the failures in planning and execution that led to the chaotic withdrawal.

Conclusion: Criticism Persists as Anniversary Passes

The controversy surrounding John Kirby’s dismissive remarks highlights the continued tension between the Biden administration and veterans over the Afghanistan withdrawal. While Kirby has sought to defend the administration’s decisions, veterans like Cory Mills, Stuart Scheller, and Chad Robichaux remain steadfast in their belief that the withdrawal was mismanaged and politically motivated.

Veterans’ concerns remain a potent issue as they continue to call for accountability and transparency from the administration. As the debate rages on, the anniversary of the withdrawal serves as a reminder of the complex decisions and costly mistakes that defined the end of America’s longest war.