Florida’s senators went on the offensive in the wake of the Taliban reconquering Afghanistan, heavily criticizing the President Joe Biden administration over the way the withdrawal of American and allied forces were withdrawn from the war-torn country.
Florida’s junior senator, Rick Scott, even floated the idea of invoking the 25th Amendment which deals with presidential succession related to the capability of the current president, and possibly removing Biden from office.
“After the disastrous events in Afghanistan, we must confront a serious question: Is Joe Biden capable of discharging the duties of his office or has time come to exercise the provisions of the 25th Amendment?” Scott tweeted.
After the disastrous events in Afghanistan, we must confront a serious question: Is Joe Biden capable of discharging the duties of his office or has time come to exercise the provisions of the 25th Amendment? https://t.co/l1bFrUdZH9
— Rick Scott (@SenRickScott) August 16, 2021
As Kabul, Afghanistan’s capital city, fell into terrorist hands, other Republican leaders, including former President Donald J. Trump, called for Biden’s resignation.
“It is time for Joe Biden to resign in disgrace for what he has allowed to happen to Afghanistan, along with the tremendous surge in COVID, the Border catastrophe, the destruction of energy independence, and our crippled economy,” Trump wrote. “It shouldn’t be a big deal, because he wasn’t elected legitimately in the first place!”
Florida’s senior senator, Marco Rubio, joined the chorus of criticism over Biden’s handling of the fall of Afghanistan calling it all “incompetent.”
“If we prematurely pull our U.S. forces out from Afghanistan — or if we conduct the process too quickly — we risk putting our servicemembers in harm’s way, and the actual Afghan government will collapse in short order,” Rubio tweeted.
9 months ago I warned that “If we prematurely pull our U.S. forces out from Afghanistan — or if we conduct the process too quickly — we risk putting our servicemembers in harm’s way, and the actual Afghan government will collapse in short order.”https://t.co/ay9DhBLOhu
— Marco Rubio (@marcorubio) August 16, 2021
However, Rubio also distanced himself from Scott’s recommendation of removing Biden from office by saying he would not sign on to invoking the 25th Amendment.
“Yeah, I don’t foresee that happening,” Rubio told Florida Politics.
Rubio also warned of the potential return of Al-Qaeda if they are given free reign in Afghanistan with the Taliban now controlling the country.
“The Taliban takeover of Afghanistan is terrible,” Rubio said. “What comes next is far worse, the return & resurgence of Al Qaeda. The incompetent Biden Administration has no plan to prevent this & we should have zero trust they ever will.”
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Grant Holcomb is a reporter at the Florida Capital Star and the Star News Network. Follow Grant on Twitter and direct message tips.
