Gallego’s Judgment Questioned over Biden’s Afghan Withdrawal

Kari Lake is ratcheting up her criticism of opponent Rep. Ruben Gallego as polls show the race for Kyrsten Sinema’s U.S. Senate seat in a statistical dead heat. She is using Gallego’s own words, or in this case, tweets, to point out what she describes as Gallego’s lack of sound judgment. Gallego, a former Marine and current U.S. Congressman (D-3), was in office as a legislator during the Biden-Harris administration’s chaotic evacuation of Afghanistan. His support contributed directly to some real-world consequences impacting American citizens, highlighted by the recently thwarted election-day terror plot by one of the very unvetted people Biden brought to the U.S. from Afghanistan.

Last week, the Justice Department charged Nasir Ahmad Tawhedi, a 27-year-old Afghan citizen living in Oklahoma City, with plotting an Election Day terrorist attack in the U.S. on behalf of ISIS. Tawhedi conspired to provide material support to ISIS, acquiring firearms and ammunition for a violent attack. He liquidated his family’s assets in preparation for resettling them overseas. Tawhedi and a juvenile co-conspirator purchased two AK-47s and ammunition from an FBI source, leading to their arrest. Tawhedi faces multiple terrorism-related charges and could receive up to 35 years in prison if convicted.

Tawhedi entered the U.S. as part of Biden’s Afghanistan evacuation. Known as Operation Allies Welcome, Biden allowed nearly 124,000 people, mostly Afghan nationals, to relocate to the United States. Using a special program intended to protect those at risk from Taliban rule, they allowed many individuals to enter the U.S., irrespective of potential security concerns, while others, including American citizens, were left behind.

The rushed and disorganized withdrawal and chaotic evacuation turned tragic, with many killed at Kabul’s airport in a desperate attempt to flee. With the Biden Administration’s failure to anticipate the Afghan government’s rapid collapse, many unvetted individuals were allowed to emigrate to the U.S. At the same time, American citizens, interpreters, and allies struggled to escape. Gallego supported Biden’s patriation plan, cutting through bureaucratic red tape to prioritize immediate evacuation efforts.

Gallego stated, “Cut the bureaucratic b.s. Put people on planes, land them at bases, and deal with the paperwork later.”

Gallego also lobbied the White House for an Afghan Resettlement Advisory Council. He sent a letter to the Administration that said in part, “Bringing Afghan refugees to America for safe harbor is only the first step towards ensuring America keeps its promise to our friends and allies. This welcome must be accompanied by a long-term commitment to meeting the needs of this new population and ensuring that Afghans and their families, as well as the communities that welcome them, have the resources they need to succeed.”

In an X/Twitter post, Gallego posted, “In anticipation of President Biden’s announcement about ending of the war in Afghanistan (which I support), we must give immediate refugee status to all Afghan nationals…” He also encouraged Biden to “be bold” and “land them at U.S. bases.”

Gallego welcomed the largely unverified Afghans to the United States, posting on X, “I’m proud of the work in AZ to help settle Afghan refugees. Thanks to the leadership at places like @Airbnb, we’re helping families find safe & secure places to stay.”

According to Kari Lake, Gallego’s role in supporting the botched Afghanistan withdrawal exposes his poor judgment for prioritizing “cutting red tape” over ensuring proper vetting. She argues that his failure to demand adequate security measures during such a critical moment raises serious questions about his leadership and decision-making.

Arizona State Senator Anthony Kern added to the growing concern over a Ruben Gallego win, telling the Arizona Globe, “Too many innocent Americans have lost their lives to unvetted immigrants streaming into our great country! Others are terrified of democrat policy induced thugs such as those in Aurora, Colorado. As it stands under the Biden/Harris/Gallego regime there are terrorist cells in our nation waiting to do another 9/11 or 10/7. Stop already! Our government MUST put America First and protect American citizens.”

The Arizona Globe requested comment from Mr. Gallego but has not yet received a response.