John Kirby accidentally criticized veterans in an email meant for internal communication but sent to Fox News on 9/11.
At a Glance
- The White House dismissed a GOP report on the 2021 Afghanistan withdrawal.
- John Kirby downplayed veterans’ concerns in a mistakenly sent email.
- The GOP report alleged significant failings in the Afghanistan withdrawal.
- Kirby defended the withdrawal, citing a deal made by the Trump administration.
Email Incident and Immediate Backlash
On September 11, 2024, John Kirby, White House National Security Council communications adviser, emailed Fox News Digital by mistake. In the email he dismissed veterans’ critical views on the Afghanistan withdrawal, describing them as concerns from a “handful” of vets “of one stripe.”
Intended for internal White House staff, this message soon led to considerable backlash.
Kirby acknowledged his error, stating, “Clearly, I didn’t realize you were on the chain,” to the Fox News reporter who received the email.
Sent on the 23rd anniversary of the 9/11 attacks, the email sparked widespread outrage, particularly among veterans and their advocates. The incident followed a press conference where Kirby defended the Biden administration’s Afghanistan strategy amid harsh criticism from veterans.
Contentious GOP Report
The email mistake came amid controversy about a GOP report that criticized the Biden administration’s handling of the Afghanistan withdrawal, alleging inadequate planning and response to terror threats. It claimed the Taliban had gained access to $7 billion in U.S. weapons and $57 million in funds. The GOP report further suggested that the withdrawal had tarnished U.S. credibility and emboldened adversaries such as Russia.
Mark Geist, a Marine veteran and member of the Benghazi annex security team member who assisted with the rescue of over 100 Americans from Taliban captivity in 2021, told Fox that Kirby told a “one-sided” story about Afghanistan during a recent press conference.
“In the press conference, John Kirby delivered a one-sided presentation of facts and falsehoods regarding the recent House Report on Afghanistan. I’ll start with where Mr. Kirby finished, which was likely the only thing he said that was completely true: they pulled out of Afghanistan because they wanted to start and fund the war in Ukraine, fully aware that the American people would not tolerate being involved in two wars again,” Geist said.
Kirby defended the Biden administration, attributing the rushed exit to a deal made by the Trump administration with the Taliban. Nevertheless, veterans criticized the administration for prioritizing politics over strategy.
Veterans expressed strong disapproval of Kirby’s comments. Rep. Cory Mills, R-Fla., emphasized that the administration had sacrificed strategic considerations for political gains.
“The bottom line is that the Biden-Harris administration chose politics over strategy, and Kirby, who I wouldn’t trust to guard my grocery list, is now trying to cover for them,” Mills said.
He didn’t accidentally criticize the military. He meant to criticize them, but accidentally sent it to people he didn’t want to send it to.
Admiral Kirby is just a ass-kissing political errand boy!! His promotion to pentagon spokesman was and still is a scandalous ruse!!
After retiring after 30 years in uniform, too many of them spent on deployment fighting hajjis who only had any strength because Obama and then Obama’s third term under Biden first set them free and then gave them billions, at least I’m happy that this dangerous, lying cull named John Kirby isn’t a member of the Army.
Indifference to guarding the safety of the government he swore to protect, completely bereft of personal honor, his word isn’t worth the paper it isn’t written on.
John Kirby is what we used to call to their faces: “A waste of rations and skin; an oxygen thief”
The navy is now suffering serious problems due to it’s woke agenda. Kirby is an excellent example of the woke members at the top.
Please, stop with the “accidentally criticized” BS. His criticism was quite intentional and in lockstep with Democrat party ideology. The only accident was WHO HE SENT THE EMAIL TO…
Having served in the USN, is about what I’d expect from a public affairs admiral.