Demanding Answers for Gold Star Families

After the Biden administration’s catastrophic and deadly withdrawal from Afghanistan, the State Department conducted a 90-day internal analysis, titled the After-Action Review on Afghanistan (AAR).

As chairman of the Foreign Affairs Committee, I have repeatedly requested to see the documents used in this investigation, or the “AAR files” — specifically the interview notes of key State Department officials. These first-hand accounts are critical to my committee’s investigation, as they would provide direct insight into what went wrong, who bears responsibility, and how to prevent anything like this from happening ever again.

Fourteen months after I first requested these files, the State Department continues to withhold them — denying Congress, the American people, and our Gold Star families the answers they deserve. It is appalling that over two years after the deadly and chaotic withdrawal, the Biden administration continues to play politics with this tragedy. That's why this week, I sent a letter to Secretary of State Antony Blinken, threatening to hold him in contempt of Congress unless he provides these key documents. Because of the Biden administration's failed withdrawal, 13 American servicemen and women paid the ultimate price. Thirteen grieving American families still don't have answers, and it's unacceptable.

To read my letter to Secretary Blinken, click here. And to read more from Fox News, click below.