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Joe Biden slammed for blaming Trump for Afghanistan crisis: 'Responsibility is yours'

In his first public remark over the Afghanistan crisis, Biden defended his stance and said, 'I stand squarely behind my decision'

As the Taliban took control over Afghanistan at a speed that left the whole world in bewilderment, the US president Joe Biden was widely perceived as 'responsible' for the chaos. Amidst the mounting criticism of the decision of the withdrawal of US forces from Afghanistan, Biden addressed the nation on the matter on Monday, August 16, at the White House. In his first public remark over the Taliban's takeover, Biden defended his stance and said, "I stand squarely behind my decision. After 20 years, I’ve learned the hard way that there was never a good time to withdraw." According to reports, Biden was at the presidential retreat at Camp David on Sunday, August 15 when the Taliban took control of Kabul.

In his speech, Biden also 'slammed' the Afghan army for 'giving up'. He further noted that the Afghan government's 'collapse was quicker than anticipated'. "The truth is, this did unfold more quickly than we had anticipated. So what's happened? Afghanistan political leaders gave up and fled the country," he said. He also noted that keeping a US presence in Afghanistan was no longer a US national security interest.

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Biden then added that he faced a choice between an agreement to withdraw US forces or send thousands more US troops back in for the third decade of war, adding that the US could not provide Afghan forces "with the will to fight" for the future. Biden described the images at the airport where Afghans could be seen clinging to a US Air Force plane as it prepared to take off in Kabul, as "gut-wrenching." However, he did not admit any US fault in how the drawdown was executed. He also said that US will continue to support the Afghan people, push for regional diplomacy and speak out for the rights of Afghans.

On the other hand, criticizing Biden's stance on Afghanistan, Trump, said in a statement, "The outcome in Afghanistan, including the withdrawal, would have been totally different if the Trump administration had been in charge. Who or what will Joe Biden surrender to next? Someone should ask him, if they can find him.”

'Joe Biden needs to resign'

People took to Twitter the US president for playing 'blame game' amidst a global humanitarian crisis. One user wrote, "BIDEN ON AFGHANISTAN: BLAME Trump BLAME Afghans Meanwhile, terrorists have seized the country US military scrambling Women and girls are maliciously taken into sex slavery Afghan partners are being sought door-by-door for annihilation Biden takes NO responsibility!" Another tweeted, "Biden blamed Trump, refused to address the crisis, and took zero questions" One tweet read, "Things Joe Biden Blamed For His Total Failure in Afghanistan: - Trump - Obama - Bush - The Afghan Military - The Afghan President - The Afghan People - "20 Years of Politics" Things Biden Does No Blame For His Catastrophe: - The Taliban - Biden's Own Incompetence - Ice Cream"

There were also demands of Biden's 'resignation' alleging he ran away from his 'responsibilities' over the Afghanistan matter. One user tweeted, "@JoeBiden needs to resign. Now. And not only him, but the entire Joint Chiefs, everyone in the NSA, all the way down the line. This is inexcusable and unforgivable." Another wrote, "Joe, the responsibility is yours. It’s not leaving Afghanistan that is an issue, it’s YOUR failure to do it effectively. @POTUS" One tweet read, "President Bush attacked the Taliban, pushed them into hiding, underestimated their resolve. President Obama had them on verge of defeat and lost it for an election. President Trump gave them an option to reform. President Biden made them globally relevant, domestically empowered."