Trump Admin Sending Taliban $45M Sparks Republican Backlash
By: Dan Gooding (Newsweek)
How is this MAGA? How is this America First?
S E E D E D C O N T E N T
Republicans are calling out the Trump administration after $45 million was reportedly sent to the Taliban in Afghanistan by the Department of State on Monday.
Among those reacting to the reports was Tennessee Representative Tim Burchett, who has introduced a bill aimed at stopping tax dollars from being given to the group that regained control of Afghanistan in 2021.
"Every week," Burchett posted on X in response to the reporting. "Pass my Bill Senate!"
Newsweek reached out to the State Department via its contact form and Burchett via email for comment on Tuesday morning.
Why It Matters
President Donald Trump has been critical of his predecessor's handling of the U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan, accusing former President Joe Biden of rushing, leading to multiple deaths. The Biden administration also set up funding meant to be used as aid for Afghans remaining in the country, but the cash has allegedly been used by the Taliban though its control of the Central Bank.
What To Know
The latest cash payment to Afghanistan was reported Monday by anti-Taliban Afghanistan Green Trend Chair Amrullah Saleh, who is based in Kabul. The money, he said, had been "freshly printed" and was flown via chartered aircraft.
According to Burchett, the State Department has sent more than $5 billion to Afghanistan in recent years, and he has called for new regulations that would prevent that money from ending up in the hands of people he brands as terrorists.
In 2023, John Sopko, then-special inspector general for Afghanistan reconstruction, told the House Oversight Committee that he could not assure those on the bench that the American taxpayer was not currently funding the Taliban.
The money in question was congressionally approved for use by international organizations and non-governmental organizations (NGOs) to help the people of Afghanistan following the United States' withdrawal after 20 years. Two years ago, the State Department said it had stopped sending money following the 2021 withdrawal, insisting that the federal government was not funding the Taliban.
Burchett argued earlier this year that the money had made it into the group's hands through taxes but the U.S. continued to send funds.
What People Are Saying
Representative Tim Burchett, in a press release on December 4: "Some NGOs are continuing to rip off the American people and our hard-earned tax dollars. I hope that President Trump can clean this mess up."
Robert J. O'Neil, a veteran and podcaster, on X on Monday: "As a taxpayer and a dude who fought and killed this nation's enemies, quick question: Why THE F*** did we give the Taliban $45 million in cash today? Seriously. Anyone have an answer?"
Ann Vandersteel, a right-leaning independent journalist, on X on Monday: "The Trump admin just flew $45M IN CASH to the Taliban. Afghanistan isn't in our NatSec strategy. This is not America First. This is America deceived."
John Sopko told the House Oversight Committee in April 2023: "Unfortunately, as I sit here today, I cannot assure you we are not now funding the Taliban. Nor can I assure you the Taliban are not diverting it from the intended recipients, which are the Afghan people."
What Happens Next
Burchett is urging Congress to move his bill forward and get it passed so there is greater oversight of funds being sent to Afghanistan and other nations.
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Will the Golden Dundershart tell us this didn't happen? I don't think the "rare earth minerals" excuse with fly with this one.
There are disclaimers:
Also
The Trump administration (2nd term) cancelled all but nine USAID programs directed toward Afghanistan. The nine continued USAID programs disbursed an estimated $223 million; which I assume includes the $45 million reported in the seed article.