Rep. Dan Crenshaw (R-Texas) is offering what he views as the “proper” response to the Taliban’s warning of “consequences” if the U.S. did not meet its withdrawal deadline.
In a tweet on Monday, Crenshaw said, “The only proper response from America to these dirty savage terrorists should be: Go f*** yourself.”
The only proper response from America to these dirty savage terrorists should be:
— Dan Crenshaw (@DanCrenshawTX) August 23, 2021
Go f*** yourself. https://t.co/n6Ip9V3Vwh
The Texas Congressman’s tweet came while President Joe Biden was considering whether to extend the Aug. 31 to withdraw U.S. troops from Afghanistan.
Suhail Shaheen, a spokesperson for the Taliban, flatly rejected the idea of extending the deadline, as he said, “It’s a red line. President Biden announced that on 31 August they would withdraw all their military forces. So if they extend it, that means they are extending occupation while there is no need for that.”
“If the US or UK were to seek additional time to continue evacuations – the answer is no. Or there would be consequences,” he continued.
Finally, Shaheen said extending the deadline would “create mistrust between us. If they are intent on continuing the occupation, it will provoke a reaction.”
On Tuesday, Biden decided against extending the deadline, as IJR reported.
His decision comes as the U.S. is conducting evacuations of Americans and Afghan allies as the end of the month deadline draws near.
The White House tweeted on Tuesday, “Between 3AM ET on 8/23 and 3AM ET on 8/24, a total of approximately 21,600 people were evacuated from Kabul. 37 US military flights carried approximately 12,700 evacuees, and 57 coalition flights carried 8,900 people.”
Since August 14, the U.S. has evacuated and facilitated the evacuation of approximately 58,700 people. Since the end of July, we have re-located approximately 63,900 people.
— The White House (@WhiteHouse) August 24, 2021
That brings the number of people the U.S. has evacuated or facilitated the evacuation of up to roughly 58,700 people since Aug. 14.
House Intelligence Committee Chairman Adam Schiff (D-Calif.) told reporters on Monday that he believes it is “very unlikely” the U.S. will be able to complete the evacuations by the deadline, as IJR reported.