Press Releases

Rep. Mac Thornberry (R-TX), Chairman of the House Armed Services Committee, made the following statement on news reports that President Trump is considering troop withdrawals from Afghanistan. Thornberry most recently traveled to Afghanistan in October when he joined Speaker Ryan to observe the situation on the ground firsthand.

"I am deeply disturbed by reports that the Administration is planning to cut the number of American troops in Afghanistan by half. Among my concerns are that such a move would: complicate the remaining troops ability to protect themselves; cause coalition partners to reduce their presence as well; set back progress in helping the Afghan security forces be able to provide for their country's security; relieve pressure on the Taliban at a critical juncture in peace negotiations; and allow ISIS, Al Qaeda, and other terrorist groups in Afghanistan to rebuild and eventually launch terrorist attacks against Americans.

"Considerable progress has been made in the last two years against terrorist organizations in a variety of places around the world. Reducing the American presence in Afghanistan and removing our presence in Syria will reverse that progress, encourage our adversaries, and make America less safe."