A Marine who lost an arm and a leg during President Joe Biden’s botched exit from Afghanistan in 2021 ripped a lack of accountability for the withdrawal.
The U.S. left the two-decade war behind in August and September of that year with its tail between its legs as 13 brave American servicemen and women lost their lives at the airport in Kabul.
Not only that, but Biden armed violent Islamists when his Pentagon leaders ordered equipment abandoned.
People, ammunition, Hummers, helicopters — they’re all just numbers to the Biden administration.
But Sgt. Tyler Vargas-Andrews, who told his story Wednesday during testimony before the House Foreign Affairs Committee, is anything but a number.
He survived the suicide blast that killed our troops and lost his right arm and left leg in the process. He told lawmakers he and others had identified the man who would ultimately kill more than 180 people.
The man, an ISIS-K terrorist, was in the crosshairs of an American sniper who could have ended the massacre before it ever happened.
Vargas-Andrews said after the suicide bomber was identified, nothing was done.
“I asked intel guys why he wasn’t apprehended sooner since we had a full description. I was told the asset could not be compromised,” he said. “Pointedly … we asked [our superiors] if we could shoot. Our battalion commander said, and I quote, ‘I don’t know.’”
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“We were ignored. Our expertise was disregarded,” he added. “No one was held accountable for our safety.”
He also commented on a lack of accountability over the botched withdrawal from the country.
“The withdrawal was a catastrophe, in my opinion, and there was an inexcusable lack of accountability and negligence,” he said. “The 11 Marines, one sailor and one soldier that were murdered that day have not been answered for.”
The soldier’s gut-wrenching story is hard to digest, and many who came across it on Twitter shared their sympathies:
Listen to the EMOTIONAL testimony of Sgt. Vargas-Andrews, who lost his limbs, as he recalls the suicide bombing outside of Kabul airport: “I opened my eyes to marines dead or unconscious lying around me.”
The Biden administration has blood on their handspic.twitter.com/eVtwTPYNqD
— lauras4Trump (@Lauras4T) March 8, 2023
As an Afghanistan veteran, this is hard to watch. I am angry. The Biden administration failed our men and women in uniform.
God Bless Sgt. Vargas-Andrews for testifying and God bless the families who will never be whole because of this inexcusable tragedy. https://t.co/O0Do8fNkwO
— Jim Banks (@RepJimBanks) March 8, 2023
He lost two Limbs in the Afghanistan withdrawal – his team identified the target BEFORE the attack and was not given permission to engage
Someone needs to be held accountable! https://t.co/oKDnuTVeGi
— Stephanieco (@Stephanieco15) March 8, 2023
Shameful and dishonorable what the Biden administration l, and its military leadership either allowed to happen, or made happen. https://t.co/muJsqbcf84
— David (@iowapatsfan67) March 8, 2023
Very powerful testimony all Americans should here from a Marine Sgt. on the ground in Afghanistan! I am forever disgusted at how this disaster unfolded!https://t.co/4n0yglJKYM
— Stephanie Henley (@lXSTEPHANIEXl) March 8, 2023
Sadly, our deepest condolences cannot mend Vargas-Andrews, nor can they bring back his fallen comrades.
We can only collectively pray that our leaders put our troops first next time decisive action is on the table that could prevent a slaughter.
This article appeared originally on The Western Journal.