On the eve of the final withdrawal of troops from Afghanistan, only ABC’s Good Morning America specifically mentioned that Joe Biden’s disaster will abandon at least 250 Americans in the country. CBS This Morning, for example, vaguely mentioned “some” would be left behind.
However on GMA, Cecilia Vega began with the “crisis in Afghanistan.” She told viewers: “The urgency to evacuate greater than ever with one day until the deadline to withdraw U.S. troops. At least 250 Americans still trying to get out as hundreds of Afghans crowd the gates of the airport.”
ABC reporter Ian Pannell underlined the terrible news: “Only 50 American citizens able to get out in a 24-hour period over the weekend. At least 250 who say they want to leave still remain.”
On CBS This Morning, however, Charlie D’Agata offered vaguer information, referring to “some” Americans left behind:
The U.S. State Department said there may be some U.S. citizens who don't make the deadline along with thousands of Afghans granted U.S. visas who are left behind.
He then cited the Biden administration for talking points about how this wasn’t a big deal: “But National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan told Face the Nation the Taliban won't stand in their way.”
On NBC’s Today, Richard Engel was even more evasive. He noted, “Amid all of this the evacuation planes are still flying.” Offering a kind of rhetorical shrug, Engel avoided the 250 number and simply wondered, “What about all of the people who are left behind.” He didn’t really have an answer.
This is now a violent race to the finish and it raises the question, what about all of the people who are left behind? The U.S. Is in the final stages of the evacuation. People are not able to get on to the air base anymore. Many Afghans are frightened and it looks as if they are going to have to wait for the civilian airport to open up. No indication when that might happen, however. Back to you.
Jimmy Carter’s presidency was sunk with 52 American hostages. With over 250 possibly stranded in Afghanistan, it’s not hard to see why CBS and NBC find the topic uncomfortable.
The Biden whitewashing on CBS was sponsored by Progressive insurance. On NBC, it was Value City Furniture. Click on the links to let them know what you think.
Partial transcripts are below. Click “expand” to read more.
Good Morning America
8/30/2021
7 AM teaseCECILIA VEGA: Breaking overnight, crisis in Afghanistan. Multiple rockets fired toward U.S. troops at Kabul airport. The urgency to evacuate greater than ever with one day until the deadline to withdraw U.S. troops. At least 250 Americans still trying to get out as hundreds of Afghans crowd the gates of the airport.
...IAN PANNELL: With America's longest war almost over and all troops set to leave, the final few hours remain the most dangerous. The urgency to evacuate greater than ever. Only 50 American citizens able to get out in a 24-hour period over the weekend. At least 250 who say they want to leave still remain.
CBS This Morning
8/30/2021
7:15GAYLE KING: We have other news this morning including the final U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan. It's now just hours away. This could be the most dangerous phase yet. Rockets were fired toward the Kabul airport overnight after U.S. drone strike hit a vehicle loaded with explosives. Two suspected ISIS members were killed there. The attempted attacks are not stopping flights from leaving the airport, though. Charlie D’Agata et is tracking the final push to get Americans out of Afghanistan. Charlie, good morning to you. It's getting very dicey there.
CHARLIE D’AGATA: Very dicey, indeed. Gayle, yes, U.S. Defense officials tell CBS news that rocket attack happened just after dawn. U.S. Missile defense system was able to shoot down some of them or they never made it to the airport. Either way, nobody was injured and the evacuation continued uninterrupted. A burnt out shell is all that is left of the vehicle that is sent to have served as the launch pad for this morning’s rocket attacks. At least five rockets sprayed in the direction of the airport. Some landing in nearby neighborhoods.
Others shot down by the missile defense system. The attempted attack comes a day after the Pentagon confirmed it conducted a second U.S. drone strike to target Isis-K. A U.S. Defense official tells CBS news the strike was ordered after two men were seen loaded explosives into the trunk of a car. It's unclear whether they were rigging a car bomb or loading up explosive vests. But it was deemed to be an imminent threat to the airport. Taliban officials and Afghan media said instead the blast killed nine civilians including a number of small children. The Pentagon is acknowledged there could be civilian casualties. As one of the largest air lifts in U.S. history now enters its final hours, American forces are focusing on getting themselves out of Afghanistan safely after helping more than 120,000 civilians escape. Those who didn't make it to the airport have been making a break for the border of neighboring countries like Pakistan by the hundreds of thousands. The U.S. State Department said there may be some U.S. citizens who don't make the deadline along with thousands of Afghans granted U.S. visas who are left behind. But National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan told Face the Nation the Taliban won't stand in their way.
JAKE SULLIVAN: The Taliban have both communicated to us privately and publicly they will allow for safe passage. We're not just going to take their word for it.
D’AGATA: He said there would be significant consequences if the Taliban do not follow through. Not just diplomatic and economic, but other tools would be brought to bear. Tony?
Today
8/30/2021
7:19RICHARD ENGEL: Amid all of this the evacuation planes are still flying. The evacuation now taking place in secret as U.S. forces reach the most dangerous phase of the mission: Pulling out the troops, protecting the evacuees and themselves as the Taliban assert more and more control of daily life.
...
ENGEL: This is now a violent race to the finish and it raises the question, what about all of the people who are left behind? The U.S. Is in the final stages of the evacuation. People are not able to get on to the air base anymore. Many Afghans are frightened and it looks as if they are going to have to wait for the civilian airport to open up. No indication when that might happen, however. Back to you.
