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Scathing report lays bare fatal mistakes in Biden’s botched Afghanistan withdrawal

Texas Rep. Mike McCaul, the Republican chair of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, released a scathing report that took a fine-toothed comb to the military’s botched 2021 Afghanistan withdrawal and highlighted areas of serious mismanagement. 

The Republican-led report opens by harkening back to President Joe Biden’s urgency to withdraw from the Vietnam War as a senator in the 1970s. That, along with the Afghanistan withdrawal, demonstrates a “pattern of callous foreign policy positions and readiness to abandon strategic partners,” according to the report.

The report also disputed Biden’s assertion that his hands were tied to the Doha agreement former President Trump had made with the Taliban establishing a deadline for U.S. withdrawal for the summer of 2021, and it revealed how state officials had no plan for getting Americans and allies out while there were still troops there to protect them. 

Here’s a roundup of the findings of the more than 350-page report, comprised of tens of thousands of pages of documents and interviews with high-level officials that spanned much of the last two years: 

Biden was not bound by deadlines in Trump’s Doha agreement with Taliban

The report found that Biden and Vice President Harris were advised by top leaders that the Taliban were already in violation of the conditions of the Doha agreement and, therefore, the U.S. was not obligated to leave. 

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The committee also found NATO allies had expressed their vehement opposition to the U.S. decision to withdraw. The British Chief of the Defense staff warned that “withdrawal under these circumstances would be perceived as a strategic victory for the Taliban.”

Biden kept on Zalmay Khalilzad, a Trump appointee who negotiated the agreement, as special representative to Afghanistan – a signal that the new administration endorsed the deal. 

At the Taliban’s demand, Khalilzad had shut out the Afghan government from the talks – a major blow to President Ashraf Ghani’s government. 

When Trump left office, some 2,500 U.S. troops remained in Afghanistan. Biden himself was determined to draw that number to zero no matter what, according to Col. Seth Krummrich, chief of staff for Special Operations Command, who told the committee, “The president decided we’re going to leave, and he’s not listening to anybody.”

Then-State Dept. spokesperson Ned Price admitted in testimony the Doha agreement was “immaterial” to Biden’s decision to withdraw. 

The withdrawal: State Department built up personnel, failed to hatch escape plan as it became clear Kabul would fall

The report also details numerous warning signs the State Department received to draw down its embassy footprint as it became clear Afghanistan would quickly fall to the Taliban. It refused to do so. At the time of the withdrawal, it was one of the largest embassies in the world. 

In the end, Americans and U.S. allies were left stranded as the military was ordered to withdraw before the embassy had shuttered.

In one meeting, Deputy Secretary of State for Management and Resources Brian McKeon rejected military officials’ warnings, saying “we at the State Department have a much higher risk tolerance than you guys.”

Gen. Austin Miler, the longest-serving commander in Afghanistan, confirmed McKeon’s comments and explained that the State Department did not have a higher risk tolerance but instead exhibited “a lack of understanding of the risk” in Afghanistan.

Asked why McKeon would make such statements, the officer explained, “The State Department and the president were saying it. Consequently, [Wilson] and others start saying it, thinking that they will make it work.” 

The report lays blame on former Afghanistan Ambassador Ross Wilson, who instead of shrinking, grew the embassy’s presence as the security situation deteriorated.

Revealing little sense of urgency, Wilson was on a two-week vacation on the last week of July and the first week of August 2021. 

An NEO, a noncombatant evacuation operation to get personnel out, was not ordered until Aug. 15 as the Taliban marched into Kabul. 

There weren’t enough troops present to begin the NEO until Aug. 19, and the first public message from the embassy in Kabul urging Americans to evacuate wasn’t sent until Aug. 7. 

And while there weren’t enough military planes to handle the evacuations, it took the Transportation Department until Aug. 20 to allow foreign planes to assist. 

Wilson fled the embassy ahead of his entire embassy staff, the report found. He reportedly had COVID-19 at the time but got a foreign service officer to take his test for him so that he could flee the country. 

Acting Under Secretary Carol Perez told the committee the embassy’s evacuation plan was “still in the works” when the Taliban took over, despite months of warning.

Those left behind: Americans and allies turned away while unvetted Afghans got on flights

Wilson testified that he was “comfortable” with holding off on the NEO until Aug. 15, while Gen. Frank McKenzie described it as the “fatal flaw that created what happened in August.”

As the Taliban surrounded Kabul on Aug. 14, notes obtained by the committee from a National Security Counsel (NSC) meeting reveal the U.S. government still had not determined who would be eligible for evacuation nor had they identified third countries to serve as transit points for an evacuation.

Fewer cases for special immigrant visas (SIVs) to evacuate Afghan U.S. military allies like interpreters were processed in June, July and August – the lead-up to the takeover – than the four months prior. 

When the last U.S. military flight departed Kabul, around 1,000 Americans were left on the ground, as were more than 90% of SIV-eligible Afghans.

The report found that local embassy employees had been de-prioritized for evacuation, with many turned away from the embassy and airport in tears. On the day of the Taliban takeover, the U.S.’ only guidance for those who might be eligible for evacuation was to “not travel to the airport until you have been informed by email that departure options exist.”

And since the NSC did not send over guidelines for who was eligible for evacuation and who to prioritize because they were “at risk,” the State Department processed thousands of evacuees with no documentation. 

The U.S. government had “no idea if people being evacuated were threats,” one State Department employee told the committee.

After the final troops left Afghanistan, volunteer groups helped at least 314 American citizens and 266 lawful permanent residents evacuate the country.

Scenes at Abbey Gate: Terror threat warnings unheeded before bombing

And as the Taliban whipped groups of desperate Afghans at the airport, burned young women and executed civilians, U.S. troops were forbidden from intervening. 

Consul General Jim DeHart described the scene as “apocalyptic.” 

U.S. intelligence, meanwhile, was tracking multiple threat streams, including “a potential VBIED or suicide vest IED as part of a complex attack,” by Aug. 23.  By Aug. 26, the threat was specifically narrowed down to Abbey Gate. It was so serious that diplomatic security pulled back state employees from the gate.

Brig. Gen. Farrell Sullivan ultimately decided to keep the gate open in the face of the threats due to requests made by the Brits.

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And on Aug. 26, two bombs planted by terror group ISIS-K exploded at the airport, killing 13 U.S. service members and more than 150 Afghans. CENTCOM records revealed the same ISIS-K terror cell that conducted the Abbey Gate attack “established a base of operations located six kilometers to the west” of the airport in a neighborhood previously used by them as a staging area for an attack on the airport in December 2020. But the U.S. did not strike this cell before the bombing. 

Two weeks later, an airstrike intending to kill those behind the ISIS-K instead killed 10 civilians. The administration initially touted the strike as a success of over-the-horizon capabilities before acknowledging a family of civilians had been killed. 

The U.S. has not struck ISIS-K in Afghanistan since – in stark contrast to the 313 operations carried out by CENTCOM against ISIS in Iraq and Syria in 2022.

The long-term consequences 

In addition to the $7 billion in abandoned U.S. weapons, the Taliban likely gained access to up to $57 million in U.S. funds that were initially given to the Afghan government. 

The Taliban’s interior minister, Sirajuddin Haqqani, proclaimed in February 2024 that relations with the rest of the world, especially the U.S., are “irrelevant” to its policymaking.

A NATO report written by the Defence Education Enhancement Programme found the Taliban was using U.S. military biometric devices and databases to hunt down U.S. Afghan allies.

And in the first six months of Taliban power, “nearly 500 former government officials and members of the Afghan security forces were killed or forcibly disappeared,” according to the report. 

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Some 118 girls have been sold as child brides since the takeover and 116 families are waiting for a buyer. Women are now banned from speaking or showing their faces in public. 

In June 2024, the Department of Homeland Security identified more than 400 persons of interest from Central Asia who had illegally crossed the U.S. southern border with the help of an ISIS-related smuggling network. The U.S. has since arrested more than 150 of these individuals. On June 11, 2024, the FBI arrested eight people with ties to ISIS-K who had crossed through the southern border.

State Department spokesman Matt Miller released a statement regarding the report saying, “The President acted in the best interests of the American people when he ended America’s longest war. This decision ensured another generation of Americans would not fight and die in Afghanistan, while putting the United States in a stronger position to face challenges to national security and international stability. It remains deeply disappointing that House Foreign Affairs Committee Republicans used this process to politicize Afghanistan policy instead of working on legislative solutions to strengthen our country. They have done a disservice by relying on false information and presenting inaccurate narratives meant only to harm the Administration, instead of seeking to actually inform Americans on how our longest war came to an end. The State Department remains immensely proud of its workforce who put themselves forward in the waning days of our presence in Afghanistan to evacuate both Americans and the brave Afghans who stood by over sides for more than two decades.”

Experts stunned after corpse of medieval Catholic saint is uncovered

A tomb of a medieval Catholic saint was recently opened last month for research – and the condition of her body stunned those who found her.

In an Aug. 28 press release translated from Spanish to English, the Diocese of Avila announced the recent opening of the tomb of St. Teresa of Jesus. The saint, also known as St. Teresa of Avila, was a Discalced Carmelite nun who died in 1582. 

The diocese, which is located in Spain, explained that the tomb was last opened in 1914. The tomb contains most of St. Teresa’s corpse, and has reportedly “remained incorrupt since 1582,” according to the diocese.

A group of Discalced Carmelite nuns, monks and priests opened up her tomb as part of an intricate process to study the relics of St. Teresa’s heart, hand and arm. Fr. Miguel Ángel González said in the press release that the reliquaries were moved with “austerity and solemnity,” and with “hearts full of emotion.”

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“The process to reach the silver urn that Saint Teresa’s body has is very complex,” the translated press release states. “First, the marble slab in the tomb had to be removed. Later, in the room set up for the studies to which the Saint’s major relics will be subjected – and only with the presence of the scientific medical team and the members of the ecclesiastical court – has the silver tomb been opened.”

According to Fr. Marco Chiesa, the remains of the saint have been preserved remarkably well. Discalced Carmelites consulted the 1914 photographs of the saint’s corpse to see if the physical condition of Teresa’s body had changed.

“The uncovered parts, which are the face and foot, are the same as those they were in 1914,” Chiesa said in the press release. “There is no color, there is no skin color, because the skin is mummified, but it is seen, especially in the middle of the face.”

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“[It] looks good,” he added. “Expert doctors see Teresa’s face almost clearly.”

Studying the saint’s body also helped researchers understand the health conditions she suffered from before she died.

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“We know that the last few years were difficult for her to walk, in the pains she herself describes,” Chiesa explained. “Sometimes, looking at a body, you discover more than the person had [spoken about].”

“Analyzing the foot [relic] in Rome, we saw the presence of calcareous spines that make walking almost impossible,” the priest added. “But she walked [to] Alba de Tormes and then died, but her desire was to continue and move forward, despite the physical defects.”

According to Chiesa, the analysis of Teresa’s corpse is still in the early stages, but he expects that the project will teach researchers how to better preserve relics.

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“We know, from similar studies, that we will be able to know data of great interest from Teresa and also recommendations for the conservation of the relics, but that will be at another stage,” the priest said.

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Egg brand recalled after salmonella outbreak lands dozens in hospital, CDC says

A farm is recalling two entire brands of eggs after dozens of consumers across the U.S. became sick with salmonella.

Milo’s Poultry Farms LLC, which is based in Bonduel, Wisconsin, has begun recalling all eggs branded “Milo’s Poultry Farms” and “Tony’s Fresh Market” over a salmonella outbreak. The recall was announced on Friday.

Salmonella causes vomiting, dehydration and fever, and can be deadly to children and senior citizens.  According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), 65 consumers have become sick and 24 have been hospitalized, and no deaths have been reported.

The recall includes all cartons labeled “Milo’s Poultry Farms” and “Tony’s Fresh Market” with all expiration dates. All eggs bought from Milo’s Poultry Farms LLC for retail food service distribution are also recalled.

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The eggs were sold to stores and restaurants in Michigan, Wisconsin, and Illinois, though the outbreak has impacted nine states in total. The states include Virginia, Iowa, Minnesota, Colorado, Utah and California.

“The recall was initiated after the FDA informed the company that environmental samples tested positive for the bacteria,” a press release by the FDA read. 

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“FDA also conducted whole genome sequencing and found that the samples were related to an ongoing salmonella outbreak investigation.”

The CDC encourages consumers to throw away or return any eggs sold under the affected brands. Anyone who purchased the eggs is also asked to clean items and surfaces that may have touched the recalled eggs.

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According to Milo’s Poultry Farms’ website, the company is an Amish family-run business that has paused operations amid the recall.

“Milo’s Poultry Farms, LLC. has ceased production and distribution at this time and will undergo appropriate testing and sanitization of farms and processing equipment,” the FDA’s website reads.

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Consumers with any concerns or questions are encouraged to call Milo’s Poultry Farms at (715) 758-6709. FOX Business reached out to Milo’s Poultry Farms for additional comment, but did not hear back.

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Caitlin Clark speaks out on WNBA rival Angel Reese’s season-ending injury

Indiana Fever rookie superstar Caitlin Clark was in the driver’s seat for the WNBA Rookie of the Year award with Chicago Sky forward Angel Reese out the rest of the season with a wrist injury.

Clark was asked about Reese’s injury Sunday before the Fever played the Atlanta Dream.

“It’s definitely sad whenever you see anyone go down with an injury, especially people that you came into this league with,” Clark said, via the Indy Star. “You want to see her finish out this year. Obviously, she’s had a historic year, and she’s done some incredible things.

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“For me, getting to play against her, her motor is up there — if not the best in the league. She just doesn’t stop working. I thought she had a tremendous year. I thought she came into the league and really did what she’s done well her entire career as long as I’ve known her.

“It’s really devastating. It’s never anything you want to see from a player.”

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Clark lamented some of the injuries others in the rookie class have suffered. Los Angeles Sparks forward Cameron Brink was lost early in the year.

Reese announced on X she would miss the rest of the season. The Sky had been vying for a playoff spot.

“I’m filled with emotions right now that I have a season-ending injury, but also filled with so much gratitude for what is next. Although this is God’s timing and not mine, I am finally able to give myself a physical and mental break. ‘God gives his hardest battles to his strongest soldiers,'” she wrote.

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Reese averaged 13.6 points and 13.1 rebounds in 34 games.

Autopsy report sheds light on cause of inmate’s death at prison

A Nevada coroner’s office ruled that an inmate who was pepper-sprayed, shackled and restrained with his face to the ground was killed by prison guards.

An autopsy report revealed that 39-year-old Patrick Odale’s death at the Southern Desert Correctional Center on Dec. 28, 2023 was ruled a homicide, The Associated Press reported.

The autopsy report was finalized in late August after a nearly nine-month investigation by the Clark County coroner’s office into Odale’s death at the mostly medium security prison near Las Vegas.

The report said Odale died of “positional and mechanical asphyxia in the setting of law enforcement restraint.”

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Oregon-based forensic pathology expert Michael Freeman, who was not involved in the investigation, told The Associated Press “mechanical and positional asphyxia” typically happens when someone is restrained face down with their hands behind their back, while pressure is placed on their torso, arms or neck.

The report also noted that Odale had low levels of methamphetamine and xylazine, an animal sedative, in his system, which the coroner’s office described as a “major contributor” to his death.

When the Nevada Department of Corrections announced Odale’s death in a January news release, it did not reveal details suggesting the inmate was restrained.

Fox News Digital has reached out to the Nevada Department of Corrections for comment.

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The agency told The Associated Press it had no comment because the matter is still an “active investigation.”

It is not clear how many officers were involved in Odale’s death, if any of the officers were disciplined, or how Odale was able to gain access to drugs while in custody.

In May, a corrections officer was arrested as part of the agency’s so-called “crack down on contraband,” after allegedly bringing cigarettes, lighters, cellphones, vape pens, tobacco and liquid spice into the facility, court records obtained by The AP show.

Odale was sentenced in early 2023 to up to two years in prison for being in possession of a stolen credit card and attempting to carry a concealed weapon.

The night that he died, officers reported that Odale was “erratic and growling” at them, the autopsy showed.

The report said the guards pepper-sprayed Odale and put him in a storage room with yard tools for several minutes until he started “thrashing in the room.”

Officers then allegedly pulled him to the ground, restrained him and took him to the prison infirmary.

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During the ordeal, medical and prison staff administered Narcan to Odale several times.

The coroner’s office reviewed video of the incident in order to determine the cause and manner of death, and the autopsy report indicates there could be a gap in the video footage.

The medical examiner said the footage shows Odale groaning as he is taken to the infirmary. Odale was also seen face-down with his hands shackled behind his back.

Then, the medical examiner said, “after a gap, video coverage resumes,” and staff is seen performing CPR on Odale, who was unresponsive.

“When the video resumes, the inmate is face-up with hands shackled anteriorly,” the autopsy stated, meaning that his hands were no longer shackled behind him but were in front of his body.

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Odale was pronounced dead shortly after.

The medical examiner ruled that Odale died because he was restrained in a way that prevented him from breathing, along with the effects of recent drug use.