“Whether it’s in Burma, Belarus, Sudan, Haiti, there seems to be a dangerous growing trend of the U.S. in retreat… It appears the [Biden] administration has become the administration of evacuations.”
WASHINGTON, D.C. – At today’s Senate Foreign Relations Committee hearing, U.S. Senator John Barrasso (R-Wyo.) pressed U.S. Department of State Secretary Antony Blinken on the Biden administration’s disastrous foreign policies.
Senator Barrasso challenged the State Department’s condolences on the death of Iranian president Ebrahim Raisi and noted the Biden administration’s growing record of global military evacuations and surrendering military bases to adversaries. Finally, Barrasso questioned Sec. Blinken on countering Russia’s newly created foothold in Africa.
Secretary Blinken testified at today’s Senate Committee on Foreign Relations hearing on American Diplomacy and Global Leadership: Review of the FY25 State Department Budget Request.
On the Biden Administration’s Condolences for Iranian President
“Yesterday the State Department issued a statement mourning the death of the Iranian President. Now, I assume that as Secretary, you share that sentiment.”
Follow Up:
“Well, I don’t think it should be a normal course of business. I think it’s shocking that this administration would mourn the death of the “Butcher of Tehran”. I don’t.
“He’s responsible for death, rape, torture, the sworn enemy of the free world. So I think it’s a terrible mistake, Mr. Secretary.”
Click here to watch Sen. Barrasso’s remarks on the late Iranian president.
On Global Military Evacuations
“I want to move on to another issue in terms of some of the evacuations and retreats that are happening around the world.
“Since the deadly withdrawal from Afghanistan in August of 2021, the administration has urgently evacuated Americans at several embassies across the globe. I hadn’t expected to hear about this in Wyoming, but I heard about it again in Wyoming just this past weekend.
“Whether it’s in Burma, Belarus, Sudan, Haiti, there seems to be a dangerous growing trend of the U.S. in retreat. The United States has been forced to draw down, evacuate, and close numerous diplomatic posts.
“It used to be rare to see images of U.S. troops flying to the rescue to evacuate our embassies, but it’s becoming a more common sight under this administration. In 2023, U.S. troops and three helicopters airlifted seventy American employees from Sudan. In 2024, in Haiti, U.S. military airlifted over thirty stranded Americans.
“It appears the administration has become the administration of evacuations.
“During your leadership as Secretary of State, how many embassies have we had to close or evacuate?”
Follow Up:
“Do you see a unifying, underlying factor for this terrible trend, and how are you addressing that?”
Click here to watch Sen. Barrasso’s remarks on Biden’s numerous evacuations.
On Surrendering American Military Bases to Adversaries
“The administration, following the withdrawal from Afghanistan, left behind weapons, ammunition, and equipment that ultimately armed the Taliban.
“Now we’ve announced withdrawal from Niger. State Department efforts to re-establish relations and engage in diplomacy there have failed. The government there is demanding that we leave.
“Our nation is withdrawing one thousand troops from two air bases where we conducted important counterterrorism missions for decades.
“Media reports already indicate that Russian troops have already been deployed to these air bases where American soldiers are located.
“Do you know how much American taxpayer money the United States have spent on building these bases and training the military there?”
Follow Up:
“Do you not see risk, though, with American taxpayer-funded bases ultimately ending up in the hands of the Russians?”
Click here to watch Sen. Barrasso’s remarks on surrendering American military bases.
On Countering Russia’s Foothold in Africa
“Now we’re seeing the Russians, you know, the Wagner mercenary group providing military training and support in Burkina Foso, Mali, in addition to where you mentioned.
“How are we countering Russia’s newly created foothold in Africa?
Follow Up:
“I would add that once they find out the hard way, it may be very difficult for them to extract themselves from the domination of the Russians and come back to us.”
Click here to watch Sen. Barrasso’s remarks on countering Russia’s foothold in Africa.
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