Yesterday, President Biden demonstrated strong leadership on the situation in Afghanistan. Speaking directly to the American people who have witnessed a 20-year endless war, Biden stood by his decision to pull American troops out of harm’s way. Leaders across the country praised President Biden’s speech and decision: 

House Speaker Nancy Pelosi: “The President is to be commended for his strong leadership and exceptional focus on bringing American military involvement in Afghanistan to an end. He does so ensuring that Americans and our Afghan partners make it to safety as soon as possible and with a continuing laser focus on counterterrorism efforts to protect U.S. interests at home and abroad.”

Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer: “I’ve been on the phone with the White House and other senior administration officials to ensure the United States is doing everything we can to get these people out quickly and safely… President Biden is right to bring out 20-year military involvement to an end.”

Senator Dick Durbin: “President Biden understands history when it comes to Afghanistan.  He made the difficult decision to not hand over this longest of American wars to a fifth president.  And had he walked away from the withdraw agreement originally negotiated by President Trump, Taliban attacks on U.S. forces would have restarted and required yet another surge in U.S. troops.”

Rep. Jim Clyburn: “There are no easy answers in Afghanistan. President Biden today demonstrated he is willing to make hard choices and take responsibility for the outcome. That is the mark of a true leader.”

House Homeland Security Committee: “By following through on the previous Admin’s withdrawal plans, @POTUS did the right thing.”

Vote Vets: “We’re pleased that the President is speaking with the nation in a frank way about what’s happening, and even more importantly, about how we got here. The American people deserve nothing less…President Biden was dealt two terrible options. One option was to continue the drawdown the previous administration negotiated directly with the Taliban, and ensure that Americans were safely returned home, but endure the tragic images we’re now seeing. The second option was to remain in country long past the negotiated withdrawal, and challenge the Taliban to make good on their threats to target and kill American troops, in retaliation… President Biden wasn’t willing to commit our military or our country to that second option, and we absolutely support him in that decision – as does an overwhelming majority of the American people.”

Win Without War: “President Biden’s decision to recognize that and bring U.S. troops home was the right one. Now, we must do everything that we can to protect those who have borne the brunt of this decades-long conflict.”

Trita Parsi: “Biden rightly stood firm on his decision. The choice was between escalating a war we couldn’t win, out focus on US national security and bring the troops home. He made the right decision, knowing very well that it paradoxically would be the one he’d get most attacked for.”

Concerned Veterans ForAmerica: “The vast majority of the American people – including two-thirds of veterans– support the decision to bring our troops home from Afghanistan and the Biden Administration should feel confident in the backing of the American people as they complete the withdrawal.”