ABC's Andy Field - August 16, 2021 - KRDO's Afternoon News

The rapid takeover by the Taliban blindsided the Biden administration. Biden is set to address the nation today at 3:45PM ET, after the planned withdrawal of American forces turned deadly at Kabul’s airport as thousands tried to flee the country after the Taliban’s takeover. It will be his first public remarks on the Afghanistan situation in nearly a week. Meanwhile in Washington, the blame game is in full swing.  Pressed by ABC News' Jonathan Karl on why the president was drastically wrong in his assessment, Blinken said they've maintained that the Taliban "was in a position of strength," and he blamed Afghan security forces for failing to defend their country. But Rep Liz Cheney (R-WY)placed blame squarely on the shoulders President Biden and on former President Trump, former Secretary of State Mike Pompeo and the Trump administration. “Absolutely President Biden bears responsibility for making this decision. But there's no question that President Trump, his administration, Secretary Pompeo, they also bear very significant responsibility for this. They walked down this path of legitimizing the Taliban, perpetuating this fantasy, telling the American people that the Taliban were a partner for peace. President Trump told us the Taliban was going to fight terror. Secretary Pompeo told us the Taliban was going to renounce Al Qaeda. None of that has happened.”