Secretary of State Antony Blinken is facing calls to freeze aid to Afghanistan after a report revealed that some assistance could be going to the Taliban. The report found that the State Department failed to fully comply with counterterrorism vetting standards, which may have resulted in funds supporting terrorist affiliates.
Sen. Tom Cotton, R-Ark., has denounced Secretary of State Antony Blinken's response to the killing of a Hamas leader, calling it "pathetic weakness." Cotton also criticized President Biden's plans to overhaul the Supreme Court, which he described as a "radical attempt to destroy our constitutional order."
Meanwhile, Sen. Mike Braun, R-Ind., has demanded that the State Department freeze aid to Afghanistan after a report from the Special Inspector General for Afghanistan Reconstruction (SIGAR) revealed that some funds could be going to the Taliban.
Blinken Slammed for Afghan Aid Mishandling, Accused of Strengthening Taliban
The SIGAR report found that two of five bureaus within the State Department (DOS) could not prove their compliance with counterterrorism vetting requirements, resulting in $293 million being disbursed without proper verification.
Braun expressed deep concern, stating that the DOS's failure to comply with vetting standards has "strengthened and enriched the Taliban and its terrorist affiliates." He emphasized that funds intended for humanitarian and development purposes should not end up supporting groups that perpetuate violence and instability.
Blinken Slammed for Afghan Aid Mishandling, Accused of Strengthening Taliban
The report also identified that $10.9 million in U.S. taxpayer money was paid to the Taliban-controlled government by 38 of the U.S.'s 65 implementing partners. However, the report estimated that this amount likely represents only a fraction of the total U.S. assistance funds received by the Taliban.
Braun questioned Blinken on the measures being taken against responsible individuals and requested detailed improvements to documentation and record-keeping practices to prevent future lapses.
Blinken Slammed for Afghan Aid Mishandling, Accused of Strengthening Taliban
The U.S. has provided more than $2.8 billion in humanitarian and development aid to Afghanistan since the collapse of the government and the Taliban's takeover.
The DOS has not yet responded to Fox News Digital's request for comment.
Blinken Slammed for Afghan Aid Mishandling, Accused of Strengthening Taliban
