Kim praises Biden plan to pull out of Afghanistan

Rep. Andy Kim (D-Bordentown) lauded President Joe Biden’s plan to withdraw all U.S. troops from Afghanistan by Sept. 11, praising a proposal that has been met with trepidation from some members of Congress.

“This decision is the right move that finally ends the longest war in American history,” Kim said. “As we approach 20 years since September 11th, we honor the thousands who lost their lives that day as well as the over 2,300 U.S. Servicemembers who gave the ultimate sacrifice in Afghanistan.”

Biden’s proposed withdrawal, which was first reported by The Washington Post, will reportedly not be conditions-based. The administration believes conditioned withdrawal could keep it in the country indefinitely.

It’ll also stretch past a May 1 deadline imposed by a deal between the Taliban and President Donald Trump’s administration.

Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) said the move would prove a “grave mistake” in a speech from the Senate floor. Kim, a member of the House Armed Services and House Foreign Affairs Committees, was more optimistic.

“Our military has decimated Al Qaeda in Afghanistan and prevented them from regaining safe haven,” the congressman said. “We will stay vigilant against terrorism threats, whether in Afghanistan or anywhere in the world, and continue to make the security of our homeland our top priority.”