In recent days, Kabul airport has seen the evacuation and chaos of U.S. personnel.
To add to the confusion, White House Communications And Communications Office Director Kate Bedingfield told CNN on Tuesday that the U.S. government doesn’t know exactly how many Americans are still waiting to leave Afghanistan.
Kate Bedingfield, Director of communications and communications at the White House: “We don’t have an exact number right now, for a reason, because the current statistics may include people who have left Afghanistan in the last six months, and what we’re doing is confirming how many Americans there are in Afghanistan.”
CNN reported that the U.S. military can now ensure the safe departure of the evacuated aircraft, but not the Americans can safely reach Kabul airport. Asked what specific steps the government would take to deal with the chaotic evacuation, Mr. Bedingfield did not respond positively, instead referring questions to the U.S. Department of Defense.
Kate Bedingfield, Director of the White House Communications and Communications Office: “These are logistical issues on the ground that the Department of Defense can handle better, but what I can tell you is that the president is pushing his team in that direction.”
The number of Americans waiting to be evacuated in Afghanistan is a mystery, and the media has noted that various parts of the U.S. government appear to be kicking the ball on the issue. Pentagon spokesman 19 in response to a reporter’s question, said the U.S. Department of Defense also does not know how many Americans remain in Afghanistan, he suggested that reporters should ask the State Department.
