Citing son, Ciattarelli criticizes Biden’s Afghanistan withdrawal

Republican gubernatorial nominee Jack Ciattarelli slammed President Joe Biden today for Biden’s handling of the military withdrawal from Afghanistan, referencing his own son Jake, an officer in the U.S. Army.

“To see the Biden Administration and our political leaders so badly mishandle the withdrawal of our troops and leave the country in total chaos is both heartbreaking and maddening,” Ciattarelli said in a statement. “Knowing that our son Jake, a Logistics Officer assigned to the 10th Mountain Division, and his brothers and sisters in arms, may one day be called to help clean up the mess makes it really hit home in a personal way.”

Lieutenant Gov. nominee Diane Allen, who during the campaign has been a frequent and vocal critic of Gov. Phil Murphy’s handling of women’s issues, also criticized Biden for the military withdrawal’s impact on women in Afghanistan.

“The Biden surrender in Afghanistan means women and girls must surrender their dreams and hopes – and even their bodies,” Allen said. “Our leaders have let them down.”

The military withdrawal, which was first planned by the Trump Administration and implemented by Biden, has allowed the Taliban to sweep through the nation in recent weeks, reaching the capital city of Kabul yesterday. Biden will deliver an address on the situation at 3:45 p.m. today.