White House National Security Council communications adviser John Kirby found himself at the center of controversy after accidentally sending an email to Fox News that appeared dismissive of veterans' concerns about the 2021 Afghanistan withdrawal.
As reported by The Western Journal, the incident occurred on September 11, 2024, the 23rd anniversary of the 9/11 attacks. The situation unfolded when Fox News sent an email inquiry to the White House, including quotes from four veterans who had voiced strong criticisms of the 2021 Afghanistan withdrawal.
Kirby, intending to respond only to White House staffers on the National Security Council, inadvertently hit "reply all," including Fox News in his response.
Kirby's email, which was not meant for public consumption, stated: "Obviously no use in responding. A 'handful' of vets indeed and all of one stripe."
This message, seemingly dismissive of the veterans' concerns, quickly sparked outrage among veterans and their supporters. The four veterans quoted in the original Fox News inquiry were Republican Rep. Cory Mills of Florida, Mark Geist, Stuart Scheller, and Chad Robichaux, all of whom had offered scathing criticisms of the Afghanistan withdrawal.
Upon realizing his mistake, Kirby sent a follow-up email to Fox News, stating, "Clearly, I didn't realize you were on the chain." However, the damage had already been done, with the initial email revealing what many perceived as the administration's true stance on veterans' concerns.
The email incident comes amid ongoing scrutiny of the Biden administration's handling of the 2021 Afghanistan withdrawal. Earlier in the week, Republican Rep. Mike McCaul of Texas, chair of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, released a report criticizing the administration both for the withdrawal itself and for subsequent attempts to deflect responsibility.
In response to Kirby's accidental email, Rep. McCaul expressed his disapproval, stating that the Biden-Harris administration has consistently disregarded veterans, service members, and Gold Star families over their botched withdrawal from Afghanistan. This statement, shared on social media by the House Foreign Affairs Committee Majority, further fueled the controversy surrounding Kirby's email.
The veterans quoted in the original Fox News inquiry had strong reactions to the administration's handling of the Afghanistan withdrawal and Kirby's recent press conference performance.
Mark Geist, a Marine veteran and member of the security team that fought in the 2012 Battle of Benghazi, criticized Kirby's press conference, pointing out what he perceived as a one-sided presentation of facts and falsehoods.
Stuart Scheller, a former Marine who was court-martialed for publicly criticizing U.S. military leadership over the Afghanistan withdrawal, offered a scathing assessment of Kirby and military leadership. Scheller stated:
I am proud that I identified the mistakes and poor planning in real time. It still pains me that it cost me my career. John Kirby, a former Navy admiral, represents the morally weak military officer class willing to parrot narratives for individual advancement. These politicians in uniform demonstrate, time and time again, that they are terrified of honest assessments of failure.
Chad Robichaux, another veteran quoted in the Fox News inquiry, emphasized the strategic implications of the withdrawal. He highlighted the abandonment of Bagram Air Base and the consequences for Afghan women and girls, as well as the sensitive equipment left behind.
The accidental email from White House adviser John Kirby has reignited the debate surrounding the 2021 withdrawal from Afghanistan. The incident has brought renewed attention to the concerns of veterans and their families and the Biden administration's handling of the withdrawal and its aftermath. As criticism mounts, the White House faces increasing pressure to address these concerns and provide a more comprehensive response to the issues raised by veterans and military families.
