[ad_1]
- WH press secretary Jen Psaki rebuffed a Fox News reporter who claimed the Americans were “stranded” in Afghanistan.
- “I think it is irresponsible to say that Americans are stuck. They are not,” she said on Monday.
- The United States has evacuated more than 37,000 people from Kabul, according to the White House.
White House press secretary Jen Psaki pushed back Fox News reporter Peter Doocy after claiming Americans were “stranded” in Afghanistan during a press briefing on Monday.
“First of all, I think it is irresponsible to say that Americans are stuck. They are not,” Psaki replied. “We are committed to bringing back Americans who want to go home, home. We are in contact with them by phone, SMS, email, whatever means we can possibly contact to get them home. they want to go home. “
Doocy continued to pressure Psaki, asking, “There are no stranded Americans, is this the official White House position on what’s going on in Afghanistan right now?”
“I’m calling you just for saying that we are blocking the Americans in Afghanistan when we have been very clear that we are not letting Americans who want to go home,” Psaki said. “We’re going to take them home. And I think it’s important that the American public hear and understand.”
The tense exchange in the White House briefing room comes as the United States faces a looming August 31 deadline to evacuate thousands more Americans and Afghan refugees.
AAaron Rupar (atrupar) 23 Aug 2021
Since August 14, the United States has evacuated more than 37,000 people from Afghanistan, according to the White House. As of Sunday alone, around 10,400 people were evacuated, the White House said.
President Joe Biden has considered staying longer in Afghanistan to facilitate the transport of American and Afghan evacuees. The US military advised him to decide by Tuesday whether to extend the deadline, CNN reported on Monday.
A Taliban spokesperson said in an interview with Sky News Monday that the US military would face “consequences” if it stayed beyond the next eight days. The Taliban captured the capital Kabul on August 15 amid the US military withdrawal.
National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan told reporters at Monday’s press conference that the United States believes “we have time by August 31 to get out any American who wants out.”
Sullivan said the United States was in talks with the Taliban to ensure the safe passage of American and Afghan evacuees.
“We think we are making progress, we will continue to progress,” Sullivan said. “And the president will ultimately make his decision on the precise form and scope of the operation.”
[ad_2]
Source link