OKC Standard

U.S. Senator Markwayne Mullin, a member of the Senate Armed Services Committee, has criticized Democrat Senator Tim Kaine for attributing blame to former President Trump regarding the withdrawal from Afghanistan under President Joe Biden's administration. The remarks were made during a confirmation hearing for Deputy Defense Secretary Nominee Stephen A. Feinberg.

Senator Mullin stated, "The disastrous withdrawal came 100% from the Biden administration. And American lives were left behind, and are still dying because of it." He challenged the notion that President Trump was responsible for the events surrounding the withdrawal.

Mullin expressed personal ties to the situation in Afghanistan and questioned attempts to shift responsibility onto Trump: "And you’re going to lay the withdrawal on President Trump, and say it was his fault?”

He also highlighted differences in military strategy between administrations: “The Biden administration threw out the entire withdrawal plan that the Trump administration had and decided to go their own way.”

In addressing U.S.-Russia relations, Mullin recalled Trump's actions in Syria: “Do we forget what happened in 2017 when Trump 100% told Russia to stay out of Syria...within 30 minutes, took out the airfield that they operated out of.”

Further criticism was directed at how current foreign policy is handled concerning Israel and Hamas: “Do we want to go back to Israel and Hamas...the way they refused to call Hamas a terrorist organization.”

Senator Mullin concluded by emphasizing Trump's stance against Russian aggression: “Are we serious saying that President Trump isn’t willing to stand up to a bully when underneath his administration, was the only time that Russia didn’t advance into Ukraine.”

He noted recent hostage negotiations as evidence of effective diplomacy under Trump’s tenure: “The President is bringing back hostages...and he didn’t give up one thing to Russia.”

Mullin urged focus on advancing America's agenda: “Guys, give me a break. We’re trying to advance America’s agenda and do what’s best for this country.”