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McConnell Nixes Idea of Biden Impeachment, Says He'd Welcome Afghan Refugees to His Neighborhood

Lisa Autry

U.S. Senator Mitch McConnell of Kentucky says President Biden will not be impeached over his withdrawal from Afghanistan, despite calls from some Republican colleagues. 

Speaking in his home state on Thursday, McConnell urged voters to hold the president accountable in next fall’s mid-term elections. 

During a stop in Glasgow, the Senate minority leader called President Biden’s withdrawal and evacuations from Afghanistan "incompetent."  McConnell noted Congress is run by Democrats and said voters angry with Biden should respond at the polls.

“I think the president needs to be held to account, and of course the way we have accountability in this country is called elections, and they’ll be an election next fall," stated McConnell. "Typically, the election two years into any administration, is a referendum on how they’re doing.”

McConnell’s comments come as some GOP senators, including Tennessee’s Marsha Blackburn, advocate for the resignation or impeachment of Biden over the withdrawal from Afghanistan.  Thirteen U-S service members died in a terrorist attack at the Kabul airport, and published reports this week say hundreds of Americans have been stranded along with thousands of Afghans who assisted the U-S.

The U.S. is one of 95 counties that has agreed to take in Afghan refugees fleeing violence.  Women and Afghans who assisted the U.S. during the war are two groups most likely to face retribution under the Taliban that have seized control of Afghanistan.

McConnell said says he’d be happy to have an Afghan refugee in his neighborhood when asked if he had any concerns about Afghans resettling in America. 

“It seems to me we owe it to these people who took a chance with us, that they could have a more normal life in this backward country, to help them have a new life somewhere else, and if some of them want to come to America, I think that’s fine with me," added McConnell.

Those opposed to Afghans resettling in the U-S argue the refugees could pose a security threat, though most were thoroughly vetted before being allowed to work alongside U-S troops, many as interpreters. 

The refugees will undergo another round of vetting before being released into U.S. cities.  Bowling Green, Owensboro, and surrounding communities are expected to receive 200 Afghans in the coming weeks.

Lisa is a Scottsville native and WKU alum. She has worked in radio as a news reporter and anchor for 18 years. Prior to joining WKU Public Radio, she most recently worked at WHAS in Louisville and WLAC in Nashville. She has received numerous awards from the Associated Press, including Best Reporter in Kentucky. Many of her stories have been heard on NPR.
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