Contempt of Congress charge against Blinken next week

KABUL (Pajhwok): A powerful panel of the House of Representatives is likely to hold Secretary of State Antony Blinken in contempt next week.

Blinken has disregarded subpoenas for information regarding the chaotic withdrawal of US and allied forces from Afghanistan.

House Foreign Affairs Committee Chairman Rep. Michael McCaul would introduce a contempt charge against Blinken on May 24, the New York Post reported on Wednesday.

A party-line House vote on the charge was expected in June, the conservative daily quoted the committee spokeswoman as saying.

The panel’s Republican chairman said: “The American people, particularly veterans and gold star families, deserve answers on how the Afghanistan withdrawal went so catastrophically wrong.”

According to the newspaper, Blinken will be the first-ever US secretary of state to be charged with contempt of Congress. He has declined complying with at least three subpoenas.

But the contempt looming charge against Blinken may not be taken up by the Justice Department.

Blinken has failed to share a copy of a July 2021 dissent cable from dozens of diplomats, who highlighted the risks of a hasty pullout from Afghanistan..

The panel head, who had given the secretary the May 12 deadline to comply, threatened a subpoena or civil enforcement proceeding if he refused again.

PAN Monitor/mud

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