Topline
On Thursday, nearly two dozen Senate and House Republicans called for President Joe Biden's resignation or removal over the terrorist attack in Kabul which killed at least twelve U.S. military personnel. Tensions between Biden in Congress and Republicans in Congress have worsened since the U.S. troop withdrawal from the region.
Joe Biden, the US President, answers a question about the terrorist attack at Hamid Karzai International Airport. He also addresses a reporter about the deaths and injuries of US soldiers and Afghan civilians. This was in the East Room, Washington, DC, on August 26, 2021. (Photo taken by Jim WATSON / AFP). (Photo taken by JIM WATSON/AFP through Getty Images) AFP via Getty Images
The Key Facts
Sens. Josh Hawley (R.Mo. Both Josh Hawley (R-Mo.) and Marsha Blackburn, both frequent Biden critics issued statements on Thursday calling for Biden's resignation. Blackburn also called for Kamala Harris, Vice President, and other Cabinet officials, to resign. On Thursday, at least 20 House Republicans demanded that Biden resign or be impeached. This included Rep. Tom Rice (R.S.C.), who in January voted to impeach President Donald Trump and now faces 12 pro-Trump primary challengers. Other people calling for Biden's resignation include Rep. Elise Stefanik, R-N.Y., the No. Rep. Elise Stefanik (R-N.Y.), the No. 3 Republican in Congress, and Rep. Claudia Tenney(R.N.Y.), a swing congressionalwoman who won her election by only 34 votes in 2020. Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene, R-Ga., who has been advocating for impeachment ever since Biden took office, and recently introduced three additional impeachment resolutions. She also tried to profit by sending out an email from the Joe Biden Impeachment Committee, urging others to call for Biden's resignation. Sen. Roger Marshall (R. Kan.) stated that Biden should immediately resign if he doesn't address the American people and answer questions about how we will deal with this massacre. A spokesperson for the White House declined to comment.
Important Background
According to Pentagon officials, the Islamic State claimed responsibility for the explosions that left at least 12 U.S. soldiers dead and 15 others injured. There were also reports of the deaths of many Afghans. Biden and Pentagon officials said that the U.S. military would continue to pursue its mission of evacuating Americans and Afghans who applied for special immigrant visas before August 31.
Important Quote
Former President Donald Trump stated that Joe Biden should resign in disgrace after allowing the destruction of Afghanistan to occur. This statement was made on August 15, one day after the fall in Kabul. He still has considerable power over his party, even though he is no longer the president.
Chief Critic
"This is the day that twelve US service personnel lost their lives to terrorists. During a briefing on Thursday, Jen Psaki, White House press secretary, stated that it is not a day of politics. She said, "We would expect that every American, regardless of their election, would stand by us in our commitment... to... kill those terrorists wherever and to honor the memories of service men."
Tangent
Blackburns' call for Harris and Biden to resign is unlikely to be heeded. A Democrat would still hold the presidency. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Vt.) is the next in line after Harris. Sen. Pat Leahy, D-Vt., is the president protempore of Senate.
