GOP House panel to 'compel' National Security Advisor Sullivan to testify on Afghanistan withdraw
McCaul wrote a letter to the White House on Tuesday, which said he would move to “compel” Sullivan to testify if he does not agree to do so on his own by August 30.
House Foreign Affairs Committee Chairman Mike McCaul is calling on National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan to publicly testify on the Biden administration's chaotic and deadly military withdraw from Afghanistan in 2021.
The Texas Republican wrote a letter to the White House on Tuesday in which he said he would move to “compel” Sullivan to testify if he does not agree to do so on his own by August 30.
In his letter, McCaul wrote that "crucial questions" remain unanswered about the withdraw, including the role of the National Security Council played in "usurping congressionally designated responsibilities of the State Department and Defense Department."
Thirteen U.S. service members were killed in an Aug. 26, 2021, terrorist attack at Afghanistan’s Kabul airport, commonly referred to as the Abbey Gate bombing, during the country's final withdraw that summer.
McCaul referred to Sullivan as the "principal architect" of the withdraw.
“Evidence gathered by the Committee in this investigation points to Mr. Sullivan as the principal architect of Afghanistan policy,” McCaul's letter read. “If Mr. Sullivan chooses not to appear voluntarily, I am prepared to compel his testimony.”