Arizona leaders react to situation in Afghanistan

TUCSON, Ariz. (KGUN) — Arizona leaders are responding about the situation in Afghanistan.

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Arizona Governor Doug Ducey released a statement to Twitter:

"As we approach the 20th anniversary of 9/11, the events unfolding in Afghanistan represent complete negligence and an abdication of responsibility by President Biden. If the promise of President Biden was that he would restore America’s standing in the world, he’s just done the exact opposite. This is the worst we’ve been since Jimmy Carter, and lives will be lost because of his lack of leadership and horrible judgment."

Congressman Tom O’Halleran released the following statement:

“For twenty years, our military men and women have honorably and bravely served in a difficult situation in Afghanistan. We thank them for their service and sacrifices. We also acknowledge the hardships they and their families have endured.

“Thousands of brave Americans, including 170 with ties to Arizona, lost their lives serving in this 20-year conflict. Since we engaged in the region, we have found and killed Osama Bin Laden and disrupted terrorist organizations. We’ve made strides in improving the country for all, particularly women and girls.

“While there is a broad consensus in withdrawing from Afghanistan, President Biden had tough choices to make. The President has already adapted to the harrowing situation on the ground and our military has made plans to increase evacuations. More must be done now to ensure all Americans and our allies are able to evacuate Afghanistan safely.

“Our primary focus must be on helping American citizens and our allies on the ground evacuate safely and quickly. Caseworkers on my team are working around the clock communicating with the State Department and are doing everything they can to help secure and expedite visas.

“While the focus must be on these evacuations, Congress and the American people deserve more information on how and why the withdrawal has unfolded as it has. We also need to reassess the risks posed to America and to have a concrete plan from the Biden Administration on next steps for the evacuation and the risks we face.”

Arizona Senator Kyrsten Sinema released a statement to Twitter:

Arizona Congressman Raúl M. Grijalva issued the following statement:

“Twenty years of war, billions of dollars spent, and the policies of four different presidential administrations have utterly failed the Afghan people," said Rep. Grijalva. "It is abundantly clear today that a hyperfocus on military might with negligible diplomatic efforts left the Afghan military unable to defend itself and nascent democratic institutions too fragile to survive the Taliban insurgency. While Trump campaigned on ending our longest war, he never did and the status quo of keeping our service members in danger and away from their families with no clear mission has gone on for too long. Military contractors reaped billions in profits, and it's the Afghan people, particularly women and young girls, who will pay the price.

Those who helped American forces and diplomats must not be left behind. We must undertake every effort to get them out of the country as quickly as possible, fast-track their visas, and open our borders to Afghan refugees. We must keep our promise to them. We must reinvent diplomacy in this region with partners that are in a position to help the Afghan people - it is abundantly clear that a military solution does not exist."

Arizona Senator Mark Kelly released the following statement:

“The rapidly deteriorating situation in Afghanistan reveals a failure to prepare for a scenario where the Afghan government and military would refuse to fight the Taliban's advances when put to the test.

“I am grateful for the American servicemembers who, on hours’ notice, rapidly deployed to Kabul over the past few days to secure the airport and facilitate evacuations, just as I am grateful for the hundreds of thousands of servicemembers and civilians, and their families, who over the past twenty years have sacrificed so much in this war.

“Our priority now must be to keep the Kabul airport secure and get our people and our allies out safely. My office is all-hands-on-deck to assist Americans and Afghan partners who are trying to get out, and I encourage anyone who is in need of assistance, or in touch with someone in need, to contact my office.”

President Joe Biden delivered a statement:

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