You can bet the issue of what is happening at kabul and the airport and the bedlam in and around there going on and on and disrupting thousands from even getting out of the country will come up. Ahead of that, to Jennifer Griffin at the pentagon on where this stands right now. Jennifer . Neil, a somber briefing with very few answers. A defensive posture from the Defense Secretary and chairman of the joint chiefs that said now is not the time for after Action Reports or discussion of regrets. The picture that they painted was bleak and dependent on the taliban. The Bottom Line is afghans and americans can not get to the Airport Due To taliban checkpoints. U. S. Military planes are leaving halfful due to bureaucratic bottle necks. People told that their paperwork is not in order around turned away. The Defense Secretary said there were Limit Tos the u. S. Forces on the ground and offered this frank admission. We dont have the capability to collect large numbers of people. The time frame of a rapid collapse was widely estimated and ranged from weeks and months to years following our departure. There was nothing that i or anyone else say that indicated a collapse of this army and this government in 11 days. We just received these photos from the Defense Department showing marines arriving in kabul and beginning evacuationed. The tenth Mountain Division is here helping watch. U. S. Officials privately tell us it was be very challenging meet the August 31 deadline. Theres still thousands of u. S. Troops flying in To Kabul. Theres images of the Taliban Leader and future amir who the u. S. Pressed pakistan to release from prison in 2018 returning to kandahar, flown in on a qatari c17 Military Transport place. He will make his what i To Kabul. Images of the taliban beating those trying to get to the airport captured by photographers in kabul suggest otherwise. Sadistic scenes with the taliban Firing Weapons and targeting women that are not fully covered. The taliban are carrying out a massive p. R. Push right now to suggest that theyre a kinder, gentler version of the islamic terrorist group. Theres 4,500 u. S. Troops at the airport in kabul right now and now the very same specialized air force group, the same unit that just closed down Bagram Air base a month ago is back securing the Kabul Airport. The problem is the taliban control all of the checkpoints outside the airport, neil. Neil yeah, they control all the levers of government and escape, i guess. Jennifer griffin, thank you very much. We should put this in perspective that the Administrations Goal was to get an Evacuation Plane going at one an hour. What they hoped would be upwards of 5,000 to 9,000 evacuees leaving per day. Doesnt sound that theyre close to that. Lets go to Rich Edson at the State Department. Hey, rich. Good afternoon. It is in that environment that jennifer just described that americans and afghans and others are trying to get to the airport and get flights out. Theyre finding many of them an impossible time, trying to navigate the checkpoints. As weve been hearing from people on the ground, theres taliban beating people, trying to get to the airport. Its in this environment that the State Department this afternoon sent out this alert to americans who are in kabul. It says, from the u. S. Embassy there now u. S. Government provided flights are departing. U. S. Citizens and residents and spouses and unmarried children should consider traveling to hamed karzai international airport. The united States Government cannot ensure Safe Passage to the airport. Were Hearing Reports that some of these planes that are leaving the airport are doing so without a full contingent of people on them. Theres a number of issues that they have to go through in order to get on the planes first. We talked about the journey to the actual airport. Once youre there, theres diplomatic events that have to take place before people can get on these airports to whether theyre coming to the u. S. Or whether going to other countries. We asked the State Department spokesperson what is the bottle necks, describe them and how does the State Department plan to address them. First of all, theyre opening the aperture to make sure theres people there with increasing left capacity to make sure theres not a single empty side on the aircraft that some on the ground have described as chaotic unfolding in kabul. Neil . Neil thanks very much. To echo what the Defense Establishment is saying about this, the Defense Secretary said we dont have the capability, again, we dont have the capability to go out and collect large numbers of people in kabul. Thats a little distressing to put it mildly, colonel. What did you make of that . I was disturbed by that and what general milley said. To trust the taliban, its unfortunate that we have come to this place, this is like a Dunkirk Situation and we have no ocean to go back home. We dont have good places to vet people that we get out. Im most concerned, neil, its not just kabul, its the 15, 20,000 people scattered across the country. How are we going to get them out . Are they going to have to flee to pakistan, china, iran . These are issues of major concern. A very catastrophic situation could evolve here. Im very familiar with the type of operations that were talking about here as a ranger, having seen how weve done this in the past. This is dire. We never should have given up Bagram Air force base. After all, karzai international where this is taking place has one runway. All you have to do is Put A Cratener the center of that and you shut off all air travel. This is a bad situation. I dont have any confidence from what im hearing from the secretary of defense. Neil what is alarming and you can understand logistics more, seems like theyre letting People Board planes or those already in this not outside that perimeter that the taliban has set up around the airport. No one is penetrating that perimeter to take the Defense Secretarys remarks earlier, were not about to try. What does that tell you . That tells me that the americans that are trapped outside that airport are not never going to get home. The taliban builds up their forces Inside Kabul will solidify that control, the checkpoints will become more vicious, this is a dunkirk in the making. Its just incredibly, incredibly poor judgment on the exit strategy. I heard President Trump last night. He never would have followed this line of thinking. He would have at least had a plan of action to save as many american lives as we could. Neil you mentioned dunkirk, colonel. There we could see relied on not so much governments, but average folks that would have come to the rescue of trapped soldiers. Here theres no such thing. Theres no sort of Hail Mary Pass to go to. Anyone that could take pity upon the situation and help out, thats what is troublesome and scary. Well, there are clearly alternatives, neil, that the joint staff is working on. Im not going to give insights to the taliban as to what those may be. We do have some options, but none of the options are good. Theyre all going to be unfortunately bloody. Neil do you think, colonel, theres any possibility that some of the charges that the taliban are not keeping their word and theres Confusion And Bedlam over this that they might go to some order or relish the way these images look, the confusion, the bedlam of the panic because it feeds this narrative that not only have they won but they got the u. S. Looking foolish . Indeed. As i told you saturday, before all of this chaotic situation developed, neil, we need to understand, the taliban are clearly a revolutionary islamist organization. Theyre not a trans national terrorist organization. They relish what they want. The american military on its knees. What im more concern about what theyre thinking in beijing and moscow. Theyre going to take advantage of this. Weve lost great credibility within the allied community and Around The World. The ramifications of this could be something far worse than what happened in vietnam in 1975. Neil wow. You know, colonel, i have to tell you, talk about what we talked about last saturday, a number of times i talked to you prior. You were telegraphing just this sort of scenario. I thought it was a little blunt at the time, but you have proven true. Neil, can i say one last thing . The special Inspector General for afghan reconstruction, for many years, over a decade has been reporting these very things. The taxpayers paid for the reports. The lessons learned are very clear. That they had all the Warning Signs that this was going to happen and yet our military and our political leaders have lied to us about the reality on the ground in afghanistan. I just my heart goes out to these people and top the military that is going to suffer as a direct result. Neil so when you say they lied, you just heard the Defense Secretary and others say the magnitude, the speed with which this went down they were not prepared for it. Do you believe that . No. Neil okay. Colonel, thank you very much. All right. The White House. Jacqui heinrich there. The president will address the nation in 15, 16 minutes. It was supposed to be about this new push for Booster Shots for more americans beginning next month to deal with covid targeting the olderly. I have a feeling this issue will come up if the president does indeed take questions. What are you hear something. Certainly, neil, it would come up. The press has not been able to ask the president any questions about this since the taliban took afghanistan. He took no questions when he gave his remarks. Yesterday Jake Sullivan said that the president still has full confidence in his intelligence team. The u. S. Is in a position where we have to negotiate with the taliban to facilitate Safe Passage of americans behind enemy lines. Now the taliban is armed with significant u. S. Military weapons that fell into their hands. They had been belonging to the afghan government. We know the president met with his whole national Security Team about getting americans and allies out. Numerous reports have emerged suggesting the Fallout Weve seen is an intelligence failure. Now leaks have been show that the cia is pointing back at President Biden. Alleging that the president was warned by spy agencies, diplomats and generals that the taliban would rapidly take over. The militarys top brass is pushing back. Make one comment on the intelligence. Because im seeing all over the news that there were warnings of a rapid collapse. I have previously said from this podium and in sworn testimony before congress that the intelligence clearly indicated multiple scenarios were possible. One of those was an outright taliban takeover following a rapid collapse of the afghan security forces. National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan said there will be a review for lessons learned. Criticism has poured in for days. Former President Trump said what he planned for when he negotiated the u. S. Withdrawal with the taliban. You got to get your people out and you have to get them out first. Then your take your equipment out. After you take your equipment out, you bomb the Hell Out of The Fort so nobody else can use them because i was going to do that. I said i want every one of these 40s. It will take a plane two hours and bomb the Hell Out of them. Now theyre being used bring the taliban. Its not believable. President biden will speak in a half hour, 15 minutes about covid Booster Shots. We dont know, neil, if he will take questions and certainly hope that he does. Neil . Neil absolutely, jacqui heinrich. Thank you. 15 minutes away from hearing from the president. So imagine being a veteran here. You were there to save the country and save america from any future attacks. That was what now turned out to be a 20year mission. On that regard, there were no follow up attacks on u. S. Soil. When you want to talk about sacrifice and what it meant to the 2400 plus families that lost Loved Ones and their lives and thousands more maimed and injured . Two veterans want to speak up and they will next. That Spin Class was brutal. Well, you can try using the buicks massaging seat. Oh. Yeah, thats nice. Can i use Apple Carplay to put some music on . Sure, its wireless. Whats your buicks wifi password . Its buick envision. Thats a really tight spot. I used to hate parallel parking. 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The more rewards you can get. Like sharpening your Cooking Skills with a top chef. Join for free on the Xfinity App and watch all the rewards float in. Our thanks. Your rewards. Neil it was not for nothing. Our two next guests, veterans that served in afghanistan have a message for americans that wonder the 20year battle there, thousands injured, 2,400 that lost their lives and it was not a waste. Curtis grace, u. S. Army veteran and luke, army veteran. Thanks for joining us. More importantly for your incredible service. I know you each have a message that you want to relay to some of your friends and colleagues and buddies and the families of those that weve seen lost. Maybe you can Tell Me what that is. Sure, neil. Thanks for the opportunity to talk about this. You know, the main thing with the post is, i dont want anybody to feel like their efforts were wasted. Your individual service mattered. You with asked to do a job and you did it. I dont think that anybody that is happening right now takes away from that. Neil luke, what about you . Yeah, its been a sentiment that we wanted to express to the Veteran Community and also to our friends and the american people. It wasnt a waste. These are formative experiences that most of us got to experience. Theres things that theres a lot of positive to be taken from it. Thats what needs to be focused on for the Veteran Community. Neil you were both in hot spots over your long career in the army. Curtis, your case, kandahar province. Were you surprised how quickly forget about the country, but how quickly kandahar fell to the taliban . You know the timeline caught us by surprise, the outcome probably wasnt as surprising with in kandahar in particular. We kind of had the information for a while that things were trending that way, the Shadow Government had taken over. We were not surprised with kandahar. It was symbolic when they took the city. Neil luke, i was wondering when you look at what is happening now, trying to get americans out, trying to get those that helped americans out and those that are fearing for their lives. Are you worried that the taliban might not let them all out . I feel like the main priority right now for everybodys focus should be not only the americans that are still there, which will are a few but the afghan people as well. The afghan people are obviously desperately crying for help. They need our help. These are people that are so desperate to not be under the Taliban Regime that theyre willing to risk life and limb, this is something that we should honor as a society and as a people. We should prioritize that right right now. The people will suffer no matter what. So you know, for us its a priority. Its been encouraging to see how the Veteran Community will step up and stepped up to the plate in terms of getting people here, helping navigate with ngos and different organizations to help people come and other places and begin that transition of these refugees, the people that are fleeing. You know, curtis, what do you think of the taliban . The administration, the taliban, theyre taking them at their word that theyre going to let the people leave the country that want to leave. Theyre signals its a new and different Taliban Today than the one that had its roots 20 years ago. Do you believe that . Well, neil, to begin with, i was just an Infantry Man and a pilot. I didnt make policy. I wont pretent to understand what their motivations are right now. Were going to continue to move forward, get as many people out as we can. So while theres an agreement allowing us to do that, take full advantage of it as long as we can. Just focus on getting american citizens and anybody out as soon as possible. Neil luke, because of guys like you. Men and women that sacrifice saad much, we have not been attacked on u. S. Soil since 911. People forget that. The significance of that. Because it looked like when the war started, that was a distinct possibility. Does it anger you that people are looking this as a waste when that alone tells use it wasnt . Doesnt anger me. Intellectually and emotionally, we have come to an understanding of this for a long time, especially in the Veteran Community. The people on the Ground Saw the realities of it versus what was conveyed. To see that reality, to have a means of understanding, the eventual outcome wasnt anger. Sadness, yes. Thats the important thing we can take right now. Neil both of your attitudes is way beyond most peoples comprehension, the class, the dignity that you show. Its very representative of you and your colleagues. 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He gets touchy when you talk about his lack of friends. Can you help me out here . No matter why you ride, progressive has you covered with protection starting at 79 a year. Well, were new friends. To be fair. Eh, still. Gillette proglide. Five blades and a Pivoting Flexball designed to get virtually every hair on the first stroke. So youre ready for the day with a fresh face for a fresh start. For a limited time get a 5th Cartridge free. Neil minutes away from hearing from President Biden to talk about a third shot, if you will, a Booster Shot, for americans that is being recommended as soon as next month. But you can bet afghanistan should come up after this. vo unconventional thinking means we see things differently, so you can focus on what matters most. Thats how weve become the leader in 5g. 1 in customer satisfaction. And a partner who includes 5g in every plan, so you get it all. upbeat Pop Music in background throughout neil all right. Its one thing to get blasted by republicans, but when massachusetts democratic congressman is taking the president on in his comments, you know, afghan government really was not expected to do what it did, he said its utter b. S. Dont Tell Me they dont want to leave when theyre clinging to airplanes to try to get out of this country. Franchesca, this is like a building bipartisan rant against the administration and its handling of this and throwing some under the bus including those which has might not want to leave or didnt want to leave. What do you make of this . Well, weve heard democratic senators that are in charge of key committees indicate how they want hearings on how the biden administration handled this. This is not an issue going away soon. Congress is on recess. That is something that sounds like that they could begin doing the hearings when they get back. That would be in september. This has a trajectory here before that would start. Neil were about a minute away from the president. Many people are wondering if he will mention afghanistan or wouldnt even try. Its unclear whether he will take questions after this. They often dont say whether he will. He would be asked that in a set of questions after his remarks even if he doesnt personally touch on the subject. Neil he seemed stunned by the reaction to this, the criticism and unyielding criticism of his handling of this. Is that the case, that hes stunned and surprised . The White House certainly understood that it needed to respond to the scrutiny. He sent out his national Security Adviser to talk to press for about 45 minutes yesterday. The white House Press Briefing doesnt go that long. That was the front end of the white House Press Briefing so whether we hear the president do that again today, well have to wait and see. Neil well see right now. Thanks very much. The president of the United States. Get every american vaccinated and protect from the virus and the Delta Variant. I just got a lengthy briefing from my covid team. Heres the latest data that confirms that were still in a pandemic of the unvaccinated. While were starting to see initial signs that cases may be declining in a few places, cases are still rising especially among the unvaccinated. Theres still 85 Million americans that are eligible to get vaccinated and remain invaccinated and at real risk. Across the country, virtually all of the covid19 hospitalizations and deaths continue to be among the unvaccinated. In alabama more than 90 of the current hospitalizations are among the unvaccinated. In texas, 95 of those in hospitals are unvaccinated. Right now its worse in states where overall vaccinate rates are low. Let me be clear, even in states where the Vaccination Rate is high, the unvaccinated in those states are also at risk. And were seeing cases rise as a result. Its a tragedy. Theres people dying and will die that dont have to. So please, if you havent gotten vaccinated, do it now. Do it now. It would save your life and save the lives of those you love. The good news is that more people are getting vaccinated. Overall weekly new vaccinations are up 80 from where they were a month ago. While it can take up to six weeks to get fully protected after your first shot, this Increase Level of vaccinations are going to provide results in the weeks ahead. Just remember, we have two key and two key ways of protecting ourselves against covid19. One, safe free and effective vaccines. Two, masks. Vaccines are the best defense. Masks are extremely helpful as well. For those that arent eligible for the vaccine yet, children under the age of 12, masks are the best available protection for them and the adults around them. Thats why we need to make sure children are wearing masks in school. Before i talk about the news related to vaccines, let me say a few words about masks and our children. Unfortunately as weve seen throughout the pandemic, some politicians are trying to turn public safety measures, children wearing masks in schools for their own political gain. Some are trying to take power away from local educators by banning masks in schools. Theyre setting a dangerous tone. For example, last week a School Board Meeting in tennessee protesters threatened doctors and nurses who were testifying making the case for masking children in schools. Intimidate and threats were seen across the country are wrong. Theyre unacceptable. Ive said before, this isnt about politics. Its about keeping our children safe. Its about taking on the virus together. United. Ive made it clear and ill stand with those that are trying to do the right thing. Last week i called School Superintendents in Florida And Arizona to thank them for doing the right thing and requiring masks in their schools. One of them said, we teach science, so we follow the science. The other side students first. I couldnt agree with them i couldnt agree more with what they both said. Thats why today im directing the secretary of education, an educator himself to take additional steps to protect our children, this includes using all of his oversights authorities and legal action if appropriate against governors that are trying to block and intimidate local School Officials and educators. As i said before, if youre not going to fight covid19, at least get out of the way of Everyone Else who is trying. You know, were not going to sit by as governors try to block and intimidate educators protecting our children. For example, if a government wants to cut the pay of a hard Working Education Leader that requires masks in a classroom, the money from the american Rescue Plan can be used to pay that Persons Salary 100 . Im going to say a lot more about children in schools next week. As we head into the school year, remember this. The centers for Disease Control and prevention, the cdc, says masks are critical especially for those that are not yet vaccinated like our children. Lets put politics aside. Follow the educators and scientists that know more about teaching our children and keeping them safe than any politician. This administration is always going to take the side of our children. Next, i want to talk to those of you that can get vaccinated but you havent. The Delta Variant is twice as transmissable as the alpha variant. Its dangerous. It continues to spread. Vaccines are the key to stopping it. Were making progress. Today more than 90 of seniors have at least had one shot and 70 of people over the age of 12 have gotten their first shot as well. Thats good news. We need to go faster. Thats why im taking steps on Vaccination Requirements where i can. Already ive outlined Vaccine Requirements that will reach millions of americans. Federal workers and contractors. Medical staff carrying for our veterans at v. A. Hospitals and our active duty Military Reservists and National Guard. Today im announcing a new step. If you work in a Nursing Home and serve people on medicare or medicaid, you will also be required to get vaccinated. More than 130,000 residents in Nursing Homes have had sadly over the period of this virus passed away. The same time Vaccination Rates among Nursing Home staffs significantly trail the rest of the country. The studies show that highly vaccinated Nursing Home staffs is associated with at least 30 less covid19 cases among longterm care residents. This announcement, im using the power of the federal government as a payer of Healthcare Costs to ensure those risks to our most vulnerable seniors. These steps are about keeping people safe and out of harms way. If you walk into a government office building, you should know that Federal Workers are doing everything possible to keep you safe. If youre a Veteran Seeking Care at a v. A. Hospital, you should not be at a greatest risk than outside the hospital. If you live, work in a Nursing Home, you should not be at a high risk for Contracting Covid from under vaccinated employees. While im mindful that my authority of the federal level is limited, im going to continue to look for ways to keep people safe and increase Vaccination Rates. Im pleased to see the private sector stepping up as well. The last week, at t, amtrak, mcdonalds all announced Vaccine Requirements. I met with a group of Business And Education leaders from United Airlines to Kizer Permanente to Howard University are also doing the same thing. Over 200 health systems, more than 50 in the past two weeks have announced Vaccine Requirements. Colleges and universities are requiring more than Five Million students to be vaccinated as they return to classes this fall. All of this makes a difference. Wall Street Journal reported the share of Job Postings stating that new hires must be vaccinated has nearly doubled in the past month. Governors and mayors in california, maryland, massachusetts, new york, oregon and washington have all announced Vaccination Requirements. So lets be clear. Vaccination requirements have been around for decades. Students, Health Care professionals, our troops, typically required to receive vaccines to prevent everything from polio to small pox to mumps to rubella. In fact the most people most americans dont worry about them today is because of vaccines. Only makes sense to require a vaccine that stops the spread of covid19. Its time for others to step up. Employers have more power than they ever have had before to end this end. My message is simple. Do the right thing for your consumers and businesses and employees. The key tool to keeping our economy going strong is to get people vaccinated and at work. I know that ill have your back they should know ill have their back and i have the back of the states trying to do the right thing as well. Yesterday i ininstructed fema to extend full reimbursement through the end of the year to state Developments State deployments of National Guard in support of covid19 response. Nearly 18,000 National Guard members are supporting our response nationwide. From caring for patients to administering vaccines to running Testing Sites to distributing supplies. As the states continue to recover from the economic toll left by covid19, the full reimbursement of National Guard services during this pandemic will be another tool that will help them shore up their budgets, meet the needs of their communities and continue our economic recovery. These are the latest steps wore taking to get more people vaccinated. Next, i want to speak to you all All Of You who are vaccinated. How should you be thinking about the first know that youre highly protected against severe Illness And Death from covid19. Only a small fraction of people going to the Hospital Today are those that have been vaccinated. We have a responsibility to give them maximum amount of protection, All Of You the maximum amount. Earlier today our medical experts announced the plan for Booster Shots to every fully vaccinated american, adult american. You know, this will boost your immune response, increase your protection from covid19 and its the best way to protect ourselves from new variants that could arise. The plan is for every adult to get a Booster Shot eight months after you get your second shot. Pending a prove value from the fda, the Cdcs Committee of outside experts will start the Booster Program during the week of september 20. If you were vaccinated on or before January 20 will be eligible for a Booster Shot. If you get your second shot february 15, youre eligible to get your Booster Shot on october 15. If you got your second shot on march 15, go for your booster starting in november 15. So on. Just remember as a simple rule, eight months after your second shot, get a Booster Shot. These Booster Shots are free. Well get the Booster Shots at any one of 80,000 vaccinate locations nationwide. It will be easy. Show your Vaccination Card and get a booster. No other i. D. , no insurance, no statement registry requirement. My administration has been planning for this possibility and this scenario for months. We purchased enough Vaccine And Vaccine supplies so that when youre eight Month Mark comes up, youll be ready to get your vaccination free and Booster Shot free and we have it available. It will make you safer and for longer. It will help us end the pandemic faster. Now, theres some World Leaders that say America Shouldnt get a third shot until other countries get their first shot. I disagree. We can take care of american and help the world at the same time. In june and july american administered 50 Million shots here in the United States. We donated 100 Million shots to other countries. That means america has donated more vaccine to other countries than every other country in the world combined. During the coming months, fall and early winter, we expect to give another about 100,000 boosters and the United States will donate 200 Million additional doses to other countries. This will keep us on our way to meeting our pledge of more than 600 Million vaccine donations. Over half a billion. As i said before, were going to be the arsenal of vaccines to beat this pandemic as we were the Arsenal Of Democracy to win World War ii. So let me conclude with this. The threat of the Delta Variant remains real. Were prepared, we have the tools, we can do this. For all of those of you unvaccinated, please get vaccinated for yourself and for your Loved Ones. Your neighborhood, for your community. For the rest of america, this is no time to let our guard down. We just need to finish the job with science, with facts and with confidence. Together as the United States of america, well get this done. God bless you all and may god protect our troops. Thank you. Neil wow. That is a bit of a stunner. You know, afghanistan imploding, panic at the Kabul Airport and the president doesnt touch on it or take any questions or have anything to do about it. If youre on the left or the right, thats sort of like the quite large Elephant In The Room and the president chose to ignore it and instead focus on the push for a third Booster Shot to deal with covid19. Youre up to it is about eight months after your second shot. So for a lot of americans, that could come as soon as the fall. The shots would be available september 20th. Again, that was welltelegraphed and anticipated. The cdc had outlined the possibility of a Booster Shot and their availability for americans particularly the elderly and those with compromised immune systems. I Cant Help but thinking and we followed the whole covid phenomenon, but its not only a spike in cases that we have to concern ourselves with here in this country but a spike in Violence And Bedlam in afghanistan, a country that has imploded in a little more than ten days and calling the shots of who does and does not get on the planes to get out of afghanistan. All sorts of reports back and forth that were hearing the taliban is at that perimeter around kabul, making it difficult for those to pierce it and indications as well from the Defense Secretary of the United States that we are not about to broach it ourselves. John hannah on this, former Vice President to dick cheneys national Security Adviser. The shocker here, no remarks, nothing on what has been happening and going on in afghanistan. What do you make of that . Yeah, i agree. This is a Dereliction Of Duty for a president which has put competence and his foreign expertise at the top of his credentials. Were watching a World Development that will affect american national interests Around The World for years to come. As you say, all of the pictures right now are of humiliation, panic, chaos and one step removed from a massive Tragedy And Loss of life if things get Out Of Control at that airport. The american people, the world need some reassuring at this moment in time. For the president of the United States to think that in this context he could get off with a Oneoff Speech a day or two ago and not keep relaying to the american people that he has the situation under control, is going to act immediately to get it under control and defend the interests of the United States and its citizens on the ground in afghanistan i think is just a terrible image to be projecting to the american people and to the world. Neil yeah. He doesnt have it under control. The fact of the matter is, where you are on this politically, its clear to see that thousands more are waiting outside that perimeter that the taliban has set up than those inside the perimeter hoping that they will find a plane out. Were relying on the Talibans Word that theyre okay with a Safe Passage for those that want to leave the country. Theyre not for a Safe Passage. Theyve been blocking that safe Passage And Theyve been picking and choosing who if anyone can find that safe package. If anyone can even pierce that perimeter. The only ones that seem to have a shot are those inside it. So this is a mess. Its an absolute shambles, neil. As i said, were very close to a potential disaster if american troops need to take action to defend themselves and secure themselves from that chaos at the airport. I have to say that of course, well do the after action report. But the thought that the president of the United States overruled his military commanders several months ago and decided to close an american military controlled Air Base at Bagram Well Outside Of Kabul and instead decided to base an Evacuation Plan of thousands of americans and other foreign nationals not to mention afghan citizens on a civilian airport, not under u. S. Control, inside the perimeter of a city of 4. 5 million people, just is a massive, massive failure and Black Eye for the United States. Neil you know, john, i can understand warped as it is, the taliban preventing people from getting through that perimeter. Im a little struck hearing from the Defense Secretary that he might not force this issue, this is from the Defense Secretary about 45 minutes ago. Youre still saying youre focused on the Air Field. These People Cant get in to the Air Field. Were going to do everything we can to continue to try to deconflict and create Passage Ways for them to get to the Air Field. I dont have the capability to go out and extend operations currently inTo Kabul. Where do you take that . How far can you extend in To Kabul . How long does it take to fly the forces in . Neil all right. If i hear him correctly, john, those waiting at the perimeter to get in, hes not even going to meet them there to help them get in. I understand what hes saying about how deep you go inTo Kabul. The taliban is set up this perimeter, blocking people from getting in. If he and troops were to go to that perimeter and force the issue, theres every reason to believe that maybe hes concerned that it would lead to still more violence or that the taliban wants to look good, that might be a stretch and allow the u. S. To get them. Hes not so far of the mindset to even try. Yeah, no, its quite a stunning admission of weakness. Effectlessness and lack of planning, neil, especially from the most senior officials and command of our militarys forces besides the president. One thing that has been missing, both in President Bidens speechfrom a day or two ago as well as everything else u. S. Officials have been saying, theres no direct Threat And Warning to the taliban who of course are responsible for breaking every commitment that they made under that February 2020 Socalled Peace Deal negotiated by President Trump. They need to get a very clear message that were going to get to safety american citizens, other foreign allied nationals and afghan citizens who have assisted our Military And Wish to leave. Then were going to take whatever action is necessary to do that. The taliban would be welladvised not to stand in our way. We certainly have the capabilities to do that, to secure the entrance and the road to the military, to the airport and to get our people to safety. Neil i dont know if were showing that though. I guess Thats Part of my biggest concern. The president having said and others in the administration have said that afghans were given the chance to go earlier and they opted not to. A democrat of massachusetts said its utter b. S. Dont Tell Me they dont want to leave when theyre clinging to airplanes to try to get out of this country. Is im sure the president s people had seen the same images, the same crowds trying to get the Hell Out. Putting themselves at great risk in Wheel Wells and falling to their death to make sure that they can get out. Thousands more outside the perimeter just wait and attempt fate trying to get through. So this notion that all of a sudden this is something that they didnt want to do because they didnt appreciate the gravity of the situation, that this is the point that its the administration that didnt appreciate the gravity or the speed of this situation. He threw them under the bus. The afghan people. Theres no question about this. Again, neil, as you said, this is now a subject of bipartisan criticism. Theres no disagreement that this has been a massive failing of planning by the administration. The question was is this simply a massive failure of Planning And Intelligence or did this at the end of the day come down to politics . The president s decision to completely override the best advice of his military commanders to retain a safe and secure Air Field in bagram that they could conduct this kind of evacuation from, taking into account all of the contingencies rather than having to essentially have to fight our way in to a civilian airport, not under our control in a city of 4. 5 million people that every square inch outside of that airport is now controlled by the enemy. Neil just seems john, youre the national Security Expert Tone deaf to me. It would be like on 911, which goes Full Circle here, people were reported on the new York City election that was delayed in that Days News when in fact the Terror War had started on the United States. Its not only the Elephant In The Room, its the mammoth. The president chooses to ignore it. What is the strategy here . In a vacuum, cynicism and fears fester. Theyre festering now. Looking at certain Social Media where its Out Of Control. People want to know with you see what is going on, the bedlam and how panicking its getting and dicey for americans and their interests and their friends in afghanistan. Nothing. Not a word. Zilch. Not to mention, neil, the absolute Fear And Concern that is no doubt spreading amongst american allies outside of afghanistan and Around The World who are watching this stunning display of weakness and collapse. An american project that is now two decades old that we devoted enormous national Treasure And Blood and to simply take a Policy Decision to allow that all to unravel and collapse overnight. Now not to be out there with this as Priority Number 1, american national security, the security of our friends and allies who for better or worse have hitched their national Security And Survival to american power and credibility, to not be out there speaking to them, to the american people, providing some assurance that the president of the United States at a minimum will do whatever it takes to ensure that we get our people to safety and complete a successful operation at that airport of evacuation, i think is a terrible Dereliction Of Duty. Neil it stands out. John hannah, thanks very much. The president says its about shots. Hello. Im Jesse Waters with dagen mcdowell, geraldo rivera, Dana Perino and greg gutfeld. Its 5 00 in new York City and this is the five. President biden dodging the media just a few moments ago on the nightmare he created in half again stan. Instead, the president sitting down with abc and claims he has no regrets on how things unfolded. Weve always