U.S. Senator Dick Durbin spoke with reporters on Thursday about the latest in the U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan. The Illinois Democrat offered his thoughts on the future of U.S. and Taliban relations.
“There's no guarantee that we are going to have a normal diplomatic relationship with the Taliban when this is over,” Durbin told reporters. “They have promised they're going to do many different things. For instance-- promising better treatment of women and minorities and such. I will believe it when I see it.”
President Biden continues to push an Aug. 31 deadline for the U.S. withdrawal of troops from the country. Durbin weighed in on the deadline.
“The notion that we can delay the timetable of completing our task of evacuating Americans and those who have helped Americans really opens us to vulnerabilities and dangers,” Durbin said.
Meanwhile, Sen. Durbin said it was inappropriate for Reps. Seth Moulton and Peter Meijer to visit Kabul this week as evacuation efforts continued from Afghanistan.
“Two members of Congress to joyride into Kabul, to me, is just irresponsible and unacceptable,” Durbin said. “I joined Speaker Pelosi and Republican Leader McCarthy in questioning their judgment and really making it clear that others should not follow their example.”
Moulton and Meijer defended their visit saying they wanted to witness evacuation efforts for themselves.
