Waltz & Graham Issue Statement on Taliban Releases

Florida Rep. Michael Waltz (R) joined South Carolina Senator Lindsey Graham (R) in releasing a joint statement on the Taliban’s release of 113 Americans and foreigners. The release comes after reports of grueling journeys that some Americans have had to go through in order to reach safety. Moreover, Waltz, a sharp critic of the Biden Administration, also introduced a resolution condemning President Joe Biden (D). In response to the release, Waltz and Graham issued a statement of relief while further slamming the Biden Administration, arguing that “it was inexcusable that the Biden Administration allowed a terrorist regime to dictate the terms” in their negotiation.

This week, news broke that a Texas mother and her three children journeyed through a 300-mile trek through 20 checkpoints before getting to safety. It was also reported that 6 planes were being blocked from leaving the country.

With reports of a number of people seeking evacuation from the country amidst the political turmoil, it was announced that the Taliban had released Americans and foreigners that were being held.

“We welcome the news that 113 Americans, U.S. permanent residents, and other western passport holders were allowed to leave Afghanistan and travel to Qatar,” said the lawmakers before criticizing the Biden Administration.

Affirming that “the United States does not take orders from terrorists,” adding that there are “hundreds of Americans and legal permanent residents, as well as thousands of Afghan SIVs and other vulnerable Afghans” that are currently being held “behind enemy lines.”

Calling for the Administration to  “continue to force pressure on the Taliban to allow the safe passage of Americans, lawful permanent residents, and their families to leave Afghanistan,” Waltz and Graham also called for “the Biden Administration to demand the release of U.S. Navy veteran Mark Frerichs who has been held hostage for over a year by the Haqqani Network, the leader of which was just appointed to the Taliban cabinet.”