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Schumer: 'Too soon' to blame anyone for situation in Afghanistan

Ellen Abbott
/
WRVO News file photo

Senate Majority Leader Charles Schumer (D-NY) said this isn’t the time for a blame game about the chaotic pullout of American troops from Afghanistan. He said the most important thing now is to get all Americans and Afghans who worked with the U.S. out of the country now run by the Taliban.

“I’m not into pointing fingers,” said Schumer. “Job number one is to get these people out and that’s what we should be focusing on. There’s time for congressional investigations and congressional oversight down the road.”

He said the airport in Kabul is functioning much better now. However, he said there are issues for Americans and Afghans who helped the U.S. are not at the airport yet.

“The airport is better functioning,” said Schumer. “They’ve taken control of it and lots of planes are flying in and out and taking people out. The other issue–which is a difficult issue–is some of the Americans and some of the Afghans who helped us are not at the airport perimeter. So they have to get there, and we’re working on that as well.”

Schumer said he’s been in constant contact with the Biden Administration and the military about the withdrawal of American troops from Afghanistan and he said things are better now.

Ellen produces news reports and features related to events that occur in the greater Syracuse area and throughout Onondaga County. Her reports are heard regularly in regional updates in Morning Edition and All Things Considered.