Former Justice Department Spokesman Critiques Biden’s Withdrawal from Afghanistan
On Monday, former Justice Department spokesman Anthony Corey expressed to NBC News that former President Joe Biden should consider stepping down in light of the chaotic withdrawal from Afghanistan.
The Biden administration has been reluctant to take accountability for the disorder that marked the 2021 exit from Afghanistan, which resulted in the deaths of several U.S. servicemembers. Officials connected to the operation have either rejected their roles or resigned. During an appearance on “Meet the Press Now,” Corey mentioned that the real decline in Biden’s political standing began years ago, with ongoing concerns about his age and stamina emerging during the 2024 campaign.
“I think what’s significant is that people started to lose faith in my favorite, Joe Biden. I was there, in his administration, during that chaotic August of 2021,” Corey stated.
He suggested that Biden should have bowed out after the midterms in 2022, asserting that voters initially supported him out of belief in his capabilities.
“People voted for Biden due to what they perceived as his abilities, and I think that initial confidence might have been a bit misplaced. That was the moment he really should have considered stepping aside,” Corey remarked.
Corey dismissed age and travel fatigue as reasons for Biden’s loss in 2024, instead pointing to a broader loss of voter confidence in his ability to lead, regardless of his policy messages.
“There are many factors that could be relevant. Yes, he was 81 and made two trips to Europe, but that’s not why he lost. Even with the best message, it’s a tough arena in 2024,” Corey explained.
In a brief but pointed address, Hunter Biden called out certain Democratic figures he believes contributed to his father’s political challenges, including George Clooney, and advocated for his father to step aside early. He also mentioned CNN’s Jake Tupper, who recently published a book on alleged cover-ups within the Biden administration.
Additionally, a report from the Department of Justice Inspector’s Office released in June revealed that during the chaotic withdrawal, 55 Afghan evacuees on terrorist watchlists entered the U.S. The FBI confirmed that regular screening protocols were bypassed due to the rushed evacuation.
The report noted that the hastiness of the Afghanistan withdrawal resulted in the deaths of 13 U.S. servicemembers and led to inadequate procedures for reviewing Afghan evacuees. Biden had ordered the full military withdrawal from Afghanistan in August 2021 but was caught off guard by the rapid collapse of the Afghan government, creating a chaotic evacuation scenario for thousands.
