Blinken Agrees to Testify Before Congress Following Contempt Threat

FIRST ON FOX: Secretary of State Antony Blinken has agreed to testify in front of the House Foreign Affairs Committee (HFAC) on December 11, after months of requests and the looming threat of a contempt of Congress vote. His upcoming appearance comes three years after the contentious withdrawal from Afghanistan that has drawn criticism and calls for accountability.

Background on the Afghanistan Withdrawal

The Biden administration’s handling of the U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan in 2021 has been a focal point of scrutiny, particularly among Republican lawmakers. Blinken’s testimony is expected to shed light on the decisions made during this period, as well as provide insights into the planning and execution of the withdrawal. His initial testimony before a Democrat-led committee in September 2021 occurred shortly after the withdrawal but now is considered insufficient without the context of the subsequent investigation undertaken by the HFAC.

Contempt of Congress Proceedings

According to a spokesperson for the committee’s GOP majority, Blinken had previously resisted complying with a subpoena related to the Afghanistan withdrawal, which provoked HFAC Chairman Michael McCaul, a Republican from Texas. McCaul noted that testimony given in September 2021 could not be fully examined given that formal investigations and document discoveries hadn’t taken place at that time.

In a statement to Fox News Digital, McCaul expressed optimism about Blinken’s forthcoming testimony, saying, “After months of good faith efforts that were too often met with stonewalling from the State Department, I’m proud to have secured Secretary Blinken’s appearance before my committee.” He added that this testimony would provide much-needed accountability and transparency regarding the administration’s actions.

The Political Dynamics at Play

Blinken’s decision to testify was likely influenced by the increasing pressure from the committee, which was moving closer to a floor vote on whether to hold him in contempt for failing to appear. The House Rules Committee was preparing to set terms for such a vote, indicating that the stakes were high for the secretary.

McCaul began seeking Blinken’s testimony in May, emphasizing the committee’s long-running investigation into the withdrawal, which had faced limitations during the Republicans’ minority status in the previous Congress. During a general hearing with Blinken, McCaul asked for the secretary to testify in September, aligned with the release of the committee’s report investigating the withdrawal. Blinken initially declined to commit, suggesting a team discussion instead.

State Department’s Response

Following months of negotiations, Blinken’s refusal to commit to a date for his testimony angered committee members. They sought alternatives, including having his deputies testify, even though neither had direct involvement during the Afghanistan withdrawal.

Despite multiple accommodations by the committee, including reminders about the pending report, Blinken and the State Department failed to propose a date for his appearance until the committee moved towards issuing a subpoena. Even then, when the subpoena was initially set for September 24, Blinken did not appear before Congress, prompting a committee vote to recommend contempt proceedings.

Next Steps in the Process

On November 7, committee staff notified the State Department about the ongoing contempt resolution process. By mid-November, as the committee prepared for a possible vote on the contempt resolution, the State Department finally offered potential dates for Blinken’s testimony. The committee countered with suggestions that better fit the congressional schedule, leading to Blinken’s ultimate agreement to testify on December 11.

Looking Ahead

With the backdrop of significant political tension and impending deadlines, Blinken’s testimony is poised to be a critical moment in the ongoing narrative surrounding the Afghanistan withdrawal. House Republicans aim to ensure that lessons are learned to prevent future missteps in U.S. foreign policy, and Blinken’s responses may carry implications for the Biden administration’s legacy.

The Department of State has not yet issued a comment on the latest developments. As the date approaches, all eyes will be on Congress to see how the situation unfolds and what revelations may emerge during Blinken’s testimony.