They solved problem after problem to keep the mission moving forward. They did this because for the thousands of State Department and u. S. Employees that served in afghanistan in the past 20 years, this Evacuation Operation was very personal. Many worked Hand And Hand for years with afghan partners. Many of whom became trusted friends. We also lost cherished members of our foreign Service Community in afghanistan. Well never forget them. Helping americans, our foreign partners that have been by our side for 20 years and afghans at risk at this critical moment was more than just a high Stakes Assignment for our team. It was a sacred duty. And the world saw how our diplomats rose to the challenge with determination and heart. U. S. Service members in kabul did heroic work securing the airport, protecting civilians of many nationalities including Tens Of Thousands of afghans and airlifting them out. Theyre also providing vital support right now caring for afghans on Military Bases in europe, The Middle East and here in the United States. Weve seen pictures of u. S. Service members at the Kabul Airport cradling babies, comforting families. Thats the kind of Compassion And Courage our men and women in uniform show. They carried out the mission with violence and four days ago, four marines, one Navy Medic and one soldier was killed by a Suicide Bomber at the Airport Gate as well as scores of afghans. Nearly all of them were in their early 20s. Just babies or toddlers on september 11th, 2001. These deaths are a devastating loss for our country. With the State Department fielding deeply, we have a special bond with the marines. The first person that you see when you visit an American Embassy is a marine. They guard our Diplomatic Missions. They keep us safe Around The World. We couldnt do our jobs without them. And we will never forget their sacrifice nor will we forget what they achieved. The most exceptional among us perform a lifetimes work of service in a short time here on earth. So it was for our exceptional brothers and sisters who died last week. Finally, i want to thank our allies and partners. This operation was a global endeavor in every way. Many countries stepped up with robust continueributions at the Airlift Including Working at the airport. Some are now serving as Transit Countries allowing evacuees to be processed on their way to the final destination. Others agreed to resell afghan refugees permanently and we hope more will do so in the days and weeks a i head. Were truly grateful for their support. Now, u. S. Military flights have ended. And our troops have departed afghanistan. A new chapter of Americas Engagement with afghanistan has begun. We will lead with diplomacy. The Military Mission is over. A new Diplomatic Mission has begun. So here is our plan for the days and weeks ahead. First, we built a new team to help lead this new mission. As of today, we suspended our diplomatic presence in kabul and transferred our operations to qatar that will be notified to congress. Given the uncertain Security Environment and political situation in afghanistan, it was the prudent step to take. And let me take this opportunity to thank our outstanding Ambassador Ross Wilson who came out of retirement in January 2020 to lead the embassy in afghanistan and has done exceptional, courageous work during a highly challenging time. For the time being, we will use this post to administer humanitarian assistance and work a law allies and partners to coordinate Engagement And Messaging to the taliban. Our team there will be led who served by our Deputy Chief Admission in afghanistan this past year. Nobody is better to do the job. Second, we will continue our relentless efforts to help americans, foreign nationals and afghans leave afghanistan if they choose. Let me talk briefly about the americans who remain in afghanistan. We made extraordinary efforts to give americans every opportunity to depart the country. In many cases, talking and sometimes walking them into the airport. Of those who selfidentified as Americans In Afghanistan who are considEring leaving the country, weve thus far received confirmation about 6,000 have been evacuated or otherwise departed. This number will likely continue to grow as our out reach and arrivals continue. We believe there are still a small number of americans under 200 and likely closer to 100 who remain in afghanistan and want to leave. Were trying to determine exactly how many. Were going through manifests and Calling And Texting through our lists and will have more details to share as soon as possible. Part of the challenge with fixing a precise number is that there are long time residents of afghanistan who have american passports and who are trying to determine whether or not they wanted to leave. Many are dual citizen americans with deep roots and extended families in afghanistan who resided there for many years. For many, its a painful choice. Our commitment to them and to all Americans In Afghanistan and everywhere in the world continues. The Protection And Welfare of americans abroad remains the State Departments most vital and enduring mission. If an american in afghanistan tells us they want to stay for now and in a Week Or Month or year they reach out and say ive changed my mind, we will help them leave. Additionally, weve worked intensely to evacuate and relocate afghans who worked alongside us and are at particular risk of reprisal. Weve gotten many out but many are still there. We will keep working to help them. Our commitment to them has no deadline. Third, we will hold the taliban to its pledge to let people freely depart afghanistan. The taliban is committed to let anyone with proper documents leave the country in a safe and orderly manner. They said this private and publicly many times. On friday, a senior taliban official said it again on television and radio. And i quote, any afghans may leave the country including those who worked for americans if they want and for whatever reason there may be end quote. More than half the worlds countries have joined us in insisting the Taliban Let People Travel Outside Afghanistan freely. As of today, more than 100 countries have said that they expect the taliban to honor Travel Authorizations by our countries. In just a few short hours ago, united Nations Security Counsel passed a resolution that enshrines that responsibility laying the groundwork to hold the taliban accountable. So the international course on this is strong and it will stay strong. We will hold the taliban to their commitment on Freedom Of Movement for foreign nationals, visa holders, at risk afghans. Fourth, we will work to secure their safe passage. This morning, i met with the foreign ministers of all the G 7 countries, united kingdom, france, germany, canada, italy, japan as well as qatar, turkey, the European Union and Secretary General nato. We we discussed how to work together including by Reopening Kabul Civilian Airport as soon as possible and very much appreciate the efforts in particular. This will enable the small number of daily charter flights, which is a key for anyone that wants to depart from afghanistan moving forward. Were also working to identify ways to support americans, legal permanent residents and afghans that worked with us and may choose to depart the over land routes. We have no illusion that any of this will be easy or rapid. This will be an entirely different phase from the evacuation that just concluded. It will take time to work through a new set of challenges. But we will stay at it. John bass, our former Am Basketba Ambassador to afghanistan who returned To Kabul to lead efforts at the airport will help american citizens and Perp Inn permanent residents and afghans at high Risk And Visa applicants and high risk people that wish to depart. Were grateful for his commitment to this mission, as well as the extraordinary officers who are serving by his side. Fifth, we will stay focused on counterterrorism. The taliban has made a commitment to prevent terrorist groups from using afghanistan as a base for external operations that could threaten the United States or our allies. Including Al Qaeda and the talibans sworn enemy, isisk. Here, too, we will hold them accountable to that commitment. But while we have expectations of the taliban, that doesnt mean we will rely on the taliban. We will be vigilant in monitoring threats ourselves and maintain robust counterterrorism capabilities to neutralize those threats if necessary as we demonstrated in the past few days by striking Isis Facilitators and threats in afghanistan and as we do in places Around The World where we do not have military forces on the ground. Let me speak directly to the engagement with the taliban across these and other issues. We engage with the taliban during the past few weeks to enable our Evacuation Operations. Going forward any engagement with a talibanled government in kabul will be driven by one thing only, our vital national interest. If we can work with the new Afghan Government in a way that helps secure those interests, including the safe return of a u. S. Citizen held hostage in the region since early last year, and bring greater stability to the Country And Region and protects the gains of the past two decades, we will do it. But we will not do it on the basis of trust or faith. Every step we take will be based not on want the taliban government says but does to live up to its commitments. The taliban seeks international legitimacy and support. Our message is any legitimacy and support will have to be earned. The taliban can do that by meeting commitments and obligations on freedom of travel, respecting the basic rights of the afghan people including women and minorities, upholding commitments on counterterrorism, not carrying out Reprisal Violence against those who choose to stay in afghanistan and forming an inclusive government to meet the needs and reflect the aspirations of the afghan people. Sixth, we will continue our humanitarian assistance to the people of afghanistan. The conflict has taken a terrible toll on the afghan people. Millions are eternally displaced. Millions are facing hunger, even starvation. The Covid19 Pandemic has also hit afghanistan hard. The United States will continue to support humanitarian aid to the afghan people. Consistent with our sanctions on the taliban, the aid will not flow through the government but independent organizations like ngos and we expect those efforts will not be impeded by the Taliban Or Anyone else. And seventh, we will continue our broad international diplomacy across all these issues and many others. We believe we can accomplish far more and exert far greater leverage when we work in coordination with our allies and partners. Over the last two weeks, weve had a series of intensive diplomatic engagements to plan in afghanistan. I met with the foreign ministers of nato in the G 7. I spoke One On one with dozens of my counterparts. Last week, President Biden met with the leaders of the G 7 countries and Deputy Secretary of state Wendy Sherman is convening a group of 28 allies and mapartners. Going forward, well coordinate closely with countries in the region and around the whorld as well as leading organizations, ngos and the private sector. Our allies and partners share objectives and are committed to working with us, ill have more to say on these matters in the coming days, the main point i want to drive home today is Americas Work in afghanistan continues. We have a plan for what is next, were putting it into action. This demands reflection. The War In Afghanistan was a 20year endeavor. We must learn the lessons and allow the lessons to shape what we think about questions of national security and foreign policy. Future diplomats, policy makers, military leaders, service members. We owe that to the american people. But as we do, we will be relentlessly focused on today and the future. Well make sure were finding every opportunity to make good on our commitment to the afghan people including by Welcoming Thousands of them into our communities as the american people have done many times before with Generosity And Grace throughout our history. In this way, well honor all Those Brave Men And Women from the United States and many other countries who risked or sacrificed their lives as part of this long Mission Right up to today. Thanks for listening. Mr. Secretary good evening. Im Erin burnett. Youve been listening, as you saw there walking out the door the secretary of State Antony Blinken speaking after the last u. S. Military plane left afghanistan with an end to the bloody 20year war. He believes 6,000 Americans Have been evacuated and there are 200, closer to 1000 Americans H says that want to leave and are still there. He says our work in afghanistan continues as of course, today The End of a war that cost trillions of dollars and 2,461 americans died. Last u. S. C17 to leave kabul left just one moment, one minute, exactly before August 31st, which is the formal deadline to withdrawal that biden said he would adhere to and left just four days after 13 u. S. Service members were killed in a Terror Attack outside the airport. The chaotic evacuation of more than 116,000 people, 123,000 according to the latest numbers the Secretary Of State just shared happening in two weeks coming to a close. Secretary Blinken Say laid out the plans what america will do next, including diplomatic relations with the taliban. Were following this Story Tonight from the State Department and also from the White House. We want to start with alex marq marquardt. Kaitlan collins is also with us. Its a monumental day. One minute before the stroke of midnight in afghanistan, that last u. S. Military plane took off. It did, Erin. 3 29 eastern time, 11 59 kabul time and the day before this u. S. Deadline was reached. Erin, when we see Secretary Blinken, were reminded hes the most senior biden Administration Official to speak and that is to make clear that now they see this when they look at afghanistan, they see it as a Diplomatic Mission. The general of command called this a sequel. He said its no longer ending, not just in Practice And Purpose but physically they will be moving diplomatic operations to doha in qatar. One of the main priorities is getting out american citizens that want to leave as well as afghans who have worked alongside American Forces and diplomats and who are who would be targets of the taliban. But what was really remarkable, Erin, is how much seems to hinge on the Coordination And Cooperation with the taliban starting with how the airport will function, making the Assumption Counting on the taliban to let people out of the country if theyve got the right papers as they have promised to do. So much and counterterrorism operations, as well. Blinken by no means said they will rely solomon on the taliban for those things but certainly huge players in this. So so much of this hinges on what the taliban does, Erin. So much of It Hinges on that. Theyre careful to say they dont trust the taliban but obviously, to do certain things, you do have to trust what someone says they will do or not do. Thats the reality. Dont want to use that word but it is a word that will reflect what they will do with the government. Alex made the point, what we just watched there, that speech from the Secretary Of State, he is the one speaking. It has become a Diplomatic Mission. Hes the one who we heard from tonight, right . The Prime Time address came from the secretary of State Antony Blinken, not from the president. Reporter yeah, even though this is a decision completely driven by the president because he made the decision to withdrawal the u. S. Presence from afghanistan, one he announced in april and come Full Circle by August 31st in kabul, still August 30th here on the East Coast and the United States and its notable we have not heard from President Biden yet but well hear from him tomorrow around at 1 30 east herb. He did issue a statement earlier today toting the huge effort it took that is led to the u. S. Military to get over 100,000 people, 120,000 people evacuated from afghanistan within a matter of over two weeks that of course, weve seen and monitored closely every single day with these Military Flights taking off up until that one as you noted that left one minute before that deadline actually hit. That was the last plane going out and so the president says Tomorrow Hell explain why he didnt want to stay in afghanistan further. It something we heard from democratic lawmakers that believe the United States should have stayed there longer and the president says hell explain that he had an agreement from the commanders on the ground and from the joint chiefs that it was right to end this mission on August 31st. But Erin, one question that the president will also face tomorrow is something related to what he said recently. In an interview with Abc News he said u. S. Troops would remain on the ground until every single american who wanted to leave afghanistan had left afghanistan and what we just heard from the Secretary Of State there is that not every american who wants to leave has left. He said he believe there is are between 100 and 200 americans still there. He thinks that number is closer to 100 and he talked about the efforts they took to get americans out of there, to assist them but the bottom line is there are still Americans In Afghanistan who want to leave. That will be a big question for the President Tomorrow as many others of course on where this goes from here, Erin. Absolutely. Thank you very much. I want to go to someone in the thick of this, the chair of the house armed services committee. One minute before the stroke of midnight in kabul, chairman, the United States completes its Military Mission. Now the Secretary Of State takes over and gives the Prime Time address and lays out the switch steps of what comes next. Are you confident where the u. S. Goes next . Absolutely not. Its a difficult situation. The taliban cant be trusted and the taliban Cant Control the taliban and Cant Control isisk as we learned a few days ago. Nobody should be confident about the situation and chaotic situation that we have in afghanistan. Now, what i do think is the case is Secretary Blinken made it clear there part of the plan, look, they did not explain this clearly. We had a briefing last week and they said well complete the mission by August 31 S 1and a number of us pressed them what is the mission . They said it was one thing and it was really something else. The mission is we got to be out by August 31st because if were not, the taliban are going to turn on us and it becomes impossible but we want to get as many people out as possible by that deadline and crucially put in place a situation where we have enough of a relationship with the taliban to keep getting people out after blut that was the mission even though it wasnt clearly explained. When you hear where they are, 123,000 people out, 6,000 americans. They are in complicated situations and many have family ties. The 200, closer to 100 still there. Did that Number Surprise you how low it was, how high it was . Not based on the conversations. Youve had access to this information like we have. That is about what we expect and heard the last few days. All right. So let me ask you then about some of these other numbers. The 123,000. People that have come out of afghanistan as part of this mission. The United States has a history of Resettling Refugees but never in the numbers, certainly not in any recent history that were seeing now and about to see. So where you stand as chairman of the armed services committee. Where are these people going to go . Are you confident they will be vetted and we will know who they are and there is a plan where they will go or is this sort of i dont know . Hope and prayer . Its an extraordinary difficult situation because they were brought out with no clear plan where to take them. It was an emergency situation. So they were responding to that emergency and the mission was get them out. Well worry about the details later. So yeah, it is chaotic and difficult. Right now, as i understand it, in qatar where we have a fair number of these people, theyre struggling just to make sure they get enough Food And Water to take care of them. So this is a plan that will have to be developed from this point forward. It will be difficult to care for these people, we have other nations that have agreed to take some of the refugees. I think we can work it out but it will take a lot of work and international cooperation. I mean, in a sense, it seems like its just the beginning of something really huge and people absolutely. It hasnt really sunk in. Let me ask you about one other thing in your role. So general Mckenzie Today said the United States and this final day, right, one minute before midnight removed or demilitarized equipment at the Airport Attica B kabul. Thats in the chaos and unexpected end of the Afghan Government. A lot of things were left behind they didnt think they would leave behind, helicopters, guns, ammunition, all sorts of things in the hands of the taliban. Are you aware right now what was left and what wasnt . Have you been given all the numbers and feel confident you know whats left there that could get in the hands of Taliban Or Isisk or some other group . We have not been given all the numbers yet. Youve reported on it and shown us clearly what happened because of how rapidly the regime collapsed, a lot of that was left. We left it for the Afghan Government but now the taliban is the Afghan Government. Look, if there is one central failing in this exit, it was to not, you know, take a cold eyed look at what was going on there and say the taliban are going to take over. Whether its weeks or months,ist n its not going to be years. It will be days, weeks or months. If thats the case, what do we need to do . Two big things, one, pull more equipment out. Two, we need to get people out sooner, particularly afghan sivs. That should have started much sooner than it did. Chairman, appreciate your time. Thank you very much. Thanks, Erin. And next, the Death Toll rising right now in louisiana. We have new video in of the devastation left behind from Hurricane Ida and were just starting to get a sense of how severe this damage is. This video is actually filmed by the States Lieutenant Governor so what did he see . Hes next. Plus, well take you to one of the hardest Hit Areas of louisiana where Rescue Operations are underway now. An update to a Story Weve been following here with you for the first time see one afghan inter interpreters dangerous journey to safety. Yeah, heading to the airport, hope to make it and survive. Zer . So you only pay for what you need. Sorry . Limu, youre an animal only pay for what you need. Liberty. Liberty. Liberty. Liberty. Youd never want Leftover Food Residue on your surfaces. But thats what you could be doing with a used dishcloth. So, switch to bounty for a more hygienic clean. Unlike used dishcloths that can redistribute residue, bounty keeps your surfaces cleaner. Bounty, the quicker picker upper. This is tmobile, americas leading 5g network. This is Apple Tv . And now only tmobile gives new and existing customers one year of Apple Tv on us. Only at tmobile. 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Louisianas governor expects that number to rise, quote considerably as they just begin to reach the hard Hit Areas that are still completely unaccessible. We are getting new Inemages Tonight of the storm. Entire neighborhoods under Water Street after street littered with debris from the rain and wind. 1 Million people currently without power. More than 2,000 miles of Transmission Lines are down. Let me say that again. More than 2,000 miles of Transmission Lines down and many without service so they Cant Call for help. 5,000 members of the National Guard are deployed to help in the Rescue And Recovery efforts underway. The Coast Guard is also now on the ground. Ill be speaking with the man leading that mission in just a moment. I do, though, want to begin President Biden Today saying that the administration will do everything it can to help those affected by the storm. Here he is. Were going to stand with you and the people of the gulf as long as it takes for you to recover. Jason carroll has more tonight from houma, louisiana. Reporter throughout much of downtown houma, louisiana, one can see the damage from Hurricane Ida in nearly every direction. This was once a Childhood Home of harrison. His great grandmother lived here, now its all gone. My whole childhood is just gone now. All the memories left in one storm. Reporter across The Street the barbershop destroyed, the home next door is still standing barely. Part of the roof is damaged, his carport gone. He waited out the storm with his wife at home and at one moment the wind was so bad they thought they would not survive. We was scared, you know. Me and my old lady pried and went on our knees and asked the lord to take care of this house and protect us, you know what i mean . Give us the opportunity to breathe. Reporter you got down on your knees and prayed . Yes, sir. Reporter what do you think, next time a category 4 comes, will you evacuate . Ill get out of here. Reporter winding 100 miles an hour swirled around houma as idea crawled around. Portions of Terrebonne Airport destroyed and countless homes damaged. Tim came out and found someone elses roof had landed on his car crushing it. Thankfully, it missed most of his home. I heard a big thump on top of my house and really scared me. Reporter trying to figure out the roof here. Reporter it could be from this building here or that one there. Every restaurant in the backyard so were not sure where the roof came from. Thats our Jason Carroll in houma, louisiana tonight. I want to go now, as i said, to steven, the Coast Guard commander of the atlantic area in charge right now and commander, appreciate your time. Where does your Search And Rescue mission stand right now . Well, were very well coordinated with The State of louisiana. We work through The Statem of louisiana to make sure we have a corporative and integrated Search And Rescue system and thats what weve been doing all day. We were able to get up at first light, the weather was still treacherous. I got on an over flight this morning from mobile, alabama at 4 30 and the weather was still horr horrendous. We were able to get the aircraft out and on scene to provide life saving service. What are your crews seeing on the ground right now . Well, i can tell you what i saw. I was able to do two over Flights Today and i saw utter devastation. It was catastrophic. My heartbreaks for the people in louisiana. We were able to fly over some of the hardest Hit Areas, New Orleans, houma, grand isle, those places were its hard to describe. It just a catastrophic scene and my heartbreaks for folks. Some of these images that weve had, you know, as you say, its hard to put words to it. We have images of horrible flooding. Are you rescuers even able to access all the impacted areas at this point when we think about the flooding and areas being completely blocked off and thousands of miles of Transmission Lines that are down, some of them of course in the water. Well, its hard to access by boat right now because there are so many obstructions in the water. We have reports of tugs that have sunk, barges that are a drift and may have been sunk. Vessels that are aground. Our Primary Effort is wet helicopters. The helicopters have been able to get into locations where weve been able to save people or assist lives. Frankly, it was almost erie. The weather over New Orleans in southern Louisiana Sort of cleared at daybreak. Much different than what were experiencing here, i think, in miss Issippi And Alabama where im at now. So how long do you expect the Rescue Part of this mission to last . I mean, you know, we know of a couple of deaths right now. Thats it. But we just dont know how many people are there, how many people need help, what condition theyre in. I dont know how long its going to last but ill tell you that the Coast Guard will be here as long as it takes to save lives and assist property. Thats what we do. Thats what weve always done as the United States Coast Guard and americas Coast Guard stands ready to assist and help the people of louisiana. Commander, thank you very much. Thank you for having me. Good luck with the mission and challenges that youre facing. I want to go to the republican Lieutenant Governor of louisiana. He joins me on the phone and Lieutenant Governor, thank you very much for just taking a couple of minutes even to talk to us. You know, you heard what the Coast Guard commander said, that he doesnt have words for the catastrophe hes seeing and youve seen it, too. You took video that im putting on the screen right now for our viewers in viewers plaquemines parish. Do you have a sense of damage in your state . Communities are completely s submerged in water. You saw the debris up on the Mississippi River Levee. It is devastating. You have areas along the coast, grand isle, Morgan City and areas that flooded from rainfall. So the Rescue Mission underway with the Coast Guard and the firemen and first responders and National Guard is its a treacherous thing to get into these communities, make sure people are not trapped in the attics and make sure we find everybody that rode it out, hopefully, alive. So the governor said that you have about 1. 1 Million customers in louisiana alone still no power that includes hospitals. Three hospitals across your state have been evacuated. A fourth i understand is in the process of that right now. 2,000 miles of Transmission Lines in the ground down in water in some cases. How worried are you right now Lieutenant Governor that your state can handle medical needs and emergencies at this point . Well, it being pushed to the brink. I know the federal government, fema and those teams will be here and support from the federal government is crucial. We have a major Power Line over the Mississippi River Levee laying into that Transmission Tower into the river. So were not talking about days, were talking about weeks. And getting the medical facilities, generators or moveded to facilities where they have electricity is crucial and we have to make sure were pressurizing the Water Systems and getting back to clean water to those hospitals and to people. Power yes and clean water are two elements that will be a Long Time Coming and really before we can get any kind of sense of getting people back in their homes and businesses and back to a working area. So Lieutenant Governor, i know your colleague the governor expects the Death Toll to rise considerably. President biden said today the federal government is there and they will provide any help that youre going to need, thats the quote from the president. Is that happening . Are you getting everything you need right now . Were seeing the fema teams on the ground. Theyre moving. I came from plaquemines parish, ill be flying with the governor and his Coordinators Tomorrow to all the devastated areas and their moving Command Center where they can get. We got a lot of flooded areas. We want to make sure nobody is trapped and get these people safe and start the work of rebuilding. I think weve made a lot of progress since katrina in working with the federal government to get through the process quickly. There is always room for improvement. But its crucial that we work as a team to get through this. Louisiana will get through it. Weve been through it before. This is a horrible disaster. Wide spread, a lot of work but its going to take a Team Effort to make it happen. Lieutenant governor, appreciate your time very much. I thank you. Thank you. And next, President Biden facing crisis on every front and it is pushing his White House to the limit. Plus, you heard his pleas for help. Theyre going to cut our heads off if they find my location. Please help. [crying] tonight, see his familys dangerous journey. Ear Everyday Congestion with Vicks Sinex saline. For fast drug free relief Vicks Sinex. Instantly clear Everyday Congestion. And try Vicks Sinex childrens saline. Safe and gentle relief for childrens noses. As someone who resembles someone else. I appreciate that Liberty Mutual knows everyones unique. Thats why they customize your car insurance, so you only pay for what you need. Oh, yeah. Thats the spot. Only pay for what you need. Liberty, liberty, liberty, liberty i dont Feel Sick why should i cure my Hepatitis C . How can i handle one more thing . You can stay on track and be cured in only 8 weeks with mavyret. 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Remember when we first hit 100,000 deaths, right, The New York Times headline was an unimaginable Death Toll. Another four months another 100,000 and North Korea appearing to restart a nuclear reactor. These are things happening now with President Biden being tested on every front and pushing his White House to the limit. Outfront now matthew doud, the former chief strategist to the Bush Cheney 2004 president ial campaign and author, as well. So matt, he is being tested on every single front and it is tragic and challenging to national security and americans are dying. What does he need to do to emerge from this moment stronger and not weaker . Well, he needs to do his job confidently and well, which so far i think hes done. Hes done what nobody thought possible so far on covid, obviously, hes faced with the Delta Variant and trying to make that work better. I think the afghanistan thing went way better than most people expected two weeks ago when the best number of people gave was getting 40,000 out. He got three times that many out. He has to handle the aftermath of the hurricane and the devastation in louisiana. Well, my guess is he will. Hes himself and people around him had the experience so the best thing he can do is not actually talk about it but actually make it work and if he does that, three months or six months from now, hell be in a better position but he has to make Government Work in response to all these things. So he traveled to dover, of course, to dover Air Force Base this weekend to pay his respects to the 13 u. S. Troops killed at the Kabul Airport Suicide Attack and met with their families. The Washington Post is reporting one family felt Bidens Interaction with them was quote scripted and shallow, a conversations that lasted only a couple minutes. I bring it up because its reminiscing of the public spat between President Trump and the wife of a u. S. Soldier that died in 2017 when she said trump called her and couldnt remember her husbands name. Now bidens empathy is the thing that people turn to him for, that the country turns to him for that he can rely on. Being put to the test. This isnt the sort of reaction to him that i would imagine he or those around him expect. How significant is this as a Turning Point . I dont think its a Turning Point because i think he is so vested and hes such a person of empathy and he carries it with them on a daily, hourly basis. Hes the first president in more than a generation that had a Son Or Daughter that served in a war zone. We havent had a president like that since i can remember. So making his decisions from a place of not only Wisdom But Heart in that. I mean, obviously, there is interactions that dont go exactly according to what the survivors or what people that are suffEring the tragedy want. That will happen in any circumstance but i dont think Joe Biden, there is many things you can criticize him for, lack of empathy is not one of those. I dont think it sticks. Republicans on one hand accuse him of being too weak when hes overly empathetic and now they will say hes not empathetic enough. If i was attacking Joe Biden, i would attack Joe Biden on empathy. Its completely, incredibly part of his brand. And quickly before we go tomorrow, hes going to speak to the nation at some point during the day. What do you think he should say . I think she should say that were facing trying times and well continue to face trying times in all of these things, prove out that hes aware of it unlike some previous president s that didnt seem aware of when circumstances were going on and i can think of what happened with katrina, hes hes engaged and he has the right people in place. Thats what he needs to say and prove out. Fwu again, Erin, its be going to be so much in what he says. Its going to be proved out in what he does and how he responds to all these crises that face the nation at this one moment. Matthew dowd, thanks for your insight. Thanks, Erin. Next, the Story Weve been following of one afghan Interpreters Attempt to leave afghanistan. Tonight youre actually going to see it. Youre going to see his familys dangerous trek to the United States. Thats next. And now only tmobile gives new and existing customers one year of Apple Tv on us. Only at tmobile. Mission control, we are go for launch. Um, shes eating the rocket. Lunchables built to be eaten. Youve been taking Mental Health meds, and your mind is finally in a better place. Except now you have uncontrollable Body Movements called tardive dyskinesia td. And it can seem like thats all people see. Some meds for Mental Health can cause abnormal Dopamine Signaling in the brain. While how it works is not fully understood, ingrezza is thought to reduce that signaling. Ingrezza is a Prescription Medicine used to treat adults with Td Movements in the face and body. People taking ingrezza can stay on their current dose of most Mental Health meds. Dont take ingrezza if youre allergic to any of its ingredients. Ingrezza may cause serious Side Effects, including sleepiness. Dont drive, operate heavy machinery, or do other dangerous activities until you know how ingrezza affects you. Other serious Side Effects include potential Heart Rhythm problems and abnormal movements. Shift the focus more on you. Ask your doctor about ingrezza. Its simple. One pill, oncedaily. 1 prescribed for td. Learn how you could pay as little as 0 at ingrezza. Com Emergency Planning for kids. We cant predict when an emergency will happen. So thats why its important to make a plan with your parents. Here are a few tips to stay safe. Know how to get in touch with your family. Write down Phone Numbers for your parents, siblings and neighbors. Pick a place to meet your family if you are not together and cant go home. Remind your parents to pack an emergency supply kit. Making a plan might feel like homework, but it will help you and your family stay safe during an emergency. Tonight an update to a story that Eph Woo been following with you of an afghan interpreter who made desperate attempts to leave kabul. I went to the airport. My wifes my wife was beaten by the taliban. My kids were beaten by the taliban. And i myself, i was beaten by the taliban. P. We introduced you to him as just abdul to protect his identity. But his full name is abdul Rashid Sherzad. And now he wants you to know his full story. He wants you to see his familys dramatic escape from afghanistan. Anna coren is out front. Reporter his family piled into a taxi with just a bag of belongings. Abdul Rashid Sherzad hoped this was farewell To Kabuls dustcovered streets. We are heading to the airport. Hope to make it and survive. Reporter the 34yearold former afghan interpreter knew their chance for escape was slim. Thats a taliban vehicle right there. With the white flag. Reporter but as the father of three young boys, the alternative was not an option. Thats ali akbar. Thats my wife right there. This is me. This is ali abbas. And thats right there. Reporter once at the Airport Rashid realized hed made a mistake. His eldest child nearly trampled in a chaotic sea of humanity, also desperate for a way out. Thats the marine right there. There is no way to get inside. Reporter this was the familys second attempt at the airport within days. And as darkness fell, Reality Set in. With this crowd its impossible. Reporter We Met Rashid Last month in kabul while doing a story on afghan Interpreters Whod worked with the u. S. Military only to be left behind. A number of them had recently been executed by the Taliban And Rashid among others feared they would also be killed. Rashid had spent five years working for the u. S. Special forces. S. E. A. L. Commanders describing him as a valuable and necessary asset who braved Enemy Fire and undoubtedly saved the lives of americans and afghans alike. These guys were your american brothers. American brothers, yeah. Reporter but at The End of 2013 his contract was terminated after he failed a polygraph test. So when he later applied for an s. I. V. To the United States, his application was automatically denied. Rashid and i kept in touch after i left afghanistan. And in a matter of weeks the country had collapsed and was now under taliban rule. I dont want to be killed by the taliban. Theyre going to cut our heads off if they find my location. Please help. Reporter cnn evacuated staff from kabul with the help of a Security Team on the ground working with british paratroopers inside the airport. The channel established was now an opportunity for rashid. Salam alake elm. Cnn. Reporter before dawn on Sunday 22nd of august rashid, his family, and another nine people were picked up at a location near the airport. They were p driven close to a taliban checkpoint near the Baron Hotel Back Gate manned by the british. We are at the Back Gate of camp baron. We are so close to the gate. If they just come to the gate they can see us. They can see us from the tower. Reporter in less than an hour british paratroopers let them in. Were good. We are inside now. Thank you so much. Reporter but celebrations were shortlived. U. S. Marines would not allow rashid and his family past the checkpoint because they did not have a visa. The americans asked just for u. S. Visa and u. S. Passport. Thats it. Reporter a frantic seven hours ensued as messages and Phone Calls between london, hong kong, atlanta, virginia and kabul were made, coordinating with security on the ground. Once his identity was confirmed, they were through. Were at the airport terminal. We made it. We are really excited. Reporter for almost two days they waited patiently at the airport as thousands of fellow afghans were airlifted to a new life. Another aircraft about to take off. Lots of marines there. Reporter then it was their turn. Exhausted but happy. Aboard a c130 to the u. S. Base in bahrain. We are in bahrain. Bahrain. Reporter less than 24 hours later they were on the move again. Somebody knocked our door and said pack your stuffs up, youve got a flight now. We are so excited. We still dont know where we are heading to. So hopefully its the u. S. Reporter and sure enough, their wish had come true. Our aircraft is landing in d. C. Thats washington. We are this close. Everybody is excited. Reporter in the space of four days they were on u. S. Soil. How does it feel to be in america . We are so lucky that we are safe. It is beautiful to be here. We are the luckiest people, you know. Reporter housed at Fort Lee Military Base virginia while his s. I. V. Is processed rashid was reunited with a s. E. A. L. Team member who he hadnt seen for nine years. A second chance at life for an eternally grateful family. Whose hearts may remain in afghanistan but his future now lies a world away. Anna coren, cnn, hong kong. An incredible story. Thank you for joining us. Anderson starts now. Good evening. We have two breaking stories tonight, each with considerable impact now and certainly for years to come. Theres the aftermath of Hurricane Ida and Rescue Operations under way right now. First, though, this countrys 20year War In Afghanistan is over. A fourstar general making the