President Joe Biden and Fox News’s Peter Doocy sparred over whether he bears “any responsibility” for the way things have unfolded in Afghanistan recently.
Following a press conference on the bombing attacks outside of Kabul’s airport, Doocy noted that “there had not been a U.S. Service member killed in combat in Afghanistan since February of 2020. You set deadline, you pulled troops out, you sent troops back in, and now 12 marines are dead.”
He continued, “You said the buck stops with you. Do you bear any responsibility for the way that things have unfolded in the last two weeks?”
Biden replied, “I bear responsibility for fundamentally all that’s happened of late, but here’s the deal.”
He went on to mention former President Donald Trump “made a deal with the Taliban that he would get all American forces out of Afghanistan by May 1.”
The president explained, “In return the commitment was made – and that was a year before. In return, he was given a commitment that the Taliban would continue to attack others but would not attack any American forces.”
He asked Doocy, “Remember that?”
Watch the exchange below:
Peter Doocy asks Biden if he bears responsibility for what's happened in Afghanistan the last 2 seeks. Biden acknowledges he does, but points out that Trump made a deal with the Taliban that contributed to the chaotic state of affairs there. pic.twitter.com/eo46M8Pmoj
— Aaron Rupar (@atrupar) August 26, 2021
Doocy attempted to interject but Biden challenged him, saying, “No, no, wait a minute. I’m asking you a question. Is that the accurate to the best of your knowledge?”
When asked if he thinks people have an issue with pulling out of Afghanistan or the way that things have happened, Biden answered, “I think they have an issue that people are likely to get hurt, some, as we’ve seen, have gotten killed, and that it is messy. The reason why, whether my friend will acknowledge it or has reported it, the reason why there were no attacks on Americans, as you said, from the date until I came into office was because the commitment was made by President Trump.”
He went on, “‘I will be out by May 1st. In the meantime you agree not to attack any Americans.’ That was the deal. That’s why no American was attacked.”
The bombing attacks outside of Kabul’s airport killed 13 U.S. service members and at least 60 Afghans.
During remarks at the White House on Thursday, Biden said, “To those who carried out this attack, as well as anyone who wishes America harm, know this: We will not forgive, we will not forget. We will hunt you down and make you pay.”