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Washington, D.C. – House Foreign Affairs Committee Chairman Michael McCaul has requested transcribed interviews of key State Department officials for the committee’s investigation into the Biden administration’s chaotic and deadly withdrawal from Afghanistan. McCaul has requested transcribed interviews of the following current and former officials:

  1. Ross L. Wilson, former Acting U.S. Ambassador to Afghanistan;
  2. Brian McKeon, former Deputy Secretary of State for Management and Resources;
  3. Zalmay Khalilzad, former U.S. Special Representative for Afghanistan Reconciliation;
  4. Carol Perez, Former Acting Under Secretary of State for Management; 
  5. Ambassador John Bass, Under Secretary of State for Management, former U.S. Ambassador to Afghanistan;
  6. Derek Chollet, Counselor to the Secretary;
  7. Suzy George, Chief of Staff to the Secretary;
  8. Salman Ahmed, Director, Policy Planning Staff; and 
  9. Dean Thompson, U.S. Ambassador to Nepal, former Acting Assistant Secretary for South and Central Asia

“Through our ongoing investigation, we have determined these individuals have important information that is critical to uncovering how and why the Biden administration’s withdrawal from Afghanistan resulted in a disgraceful surrender to the Taliban, the death of 13 U.S. servicemembers and injuring 45 more — all which could have been prevented,” wrote Chairman McCaul. “This was an unmitigated disaster of epic proportions and I will not rest until the American people receive the transparency and answers they deserve. The committee will continue to interview additional current and former administration officials involved in the planning and execution of the withdrawal.”

Chairman McCaul has requested these witnesses contact the committee to arrange their transcribed interviews by September 7, 2023.

The letter requesting the transcribed interview from Ambassador Ross Wilson can be found here. The letter requesting the transcribed interview from former Deputy Secretary Brian McKeon can be found here. The letter requesting the transcribed interview from Ambassador Zalmay Khalilzad can be found here. The letter requesting the transcribed interview from Ambassador Carol Perez can be found here. The letter requesting the transcribed interview from Ambassador John Bass, Derek Chollet, Suzy George, Salman Ahmed, and Ambassador Dean Thompson can be found here.

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