WASHINGTON, DC – U.S. Senator Jack Reed (D-RI), Chairman of the Senate Armed Services Committee, issued the following statement today after reports that President Biden intends to fully withdraw all U.S. troops from Afghanistan by September 11, 2021 rather than the May 1 deadline that President Trump agreed upon with the Taliban:

“There are no good options in Afghanistan.  President Biden is making a tough call on what may be the least of many bad options.  He’s working to bring our troops home in a responsible manner, rather than following the May 1 deadline forced on him as the result of a deeply flawed deal between Trump and the Taliban.  The Biden Administration is using the extra time to try to surge diplomatic engagement in the hopes of reaching an enduring political solution.  President Biden is committed to working with the Afghan Government and our NATO allies and partners in the region to achieve the best possible outcome.  Only time will tell if it will be enough.

“President Biden is committed to ensuring this isn’t a forever war.  But he has also made it clear he won’t allow Afghanistan to become a safe haven for terrorism.”