Republicans on social media were upset after President Joe Biden’s audio cut out as just he delivered what many considered to be a snarky response to a question about what will happen to Americans in Afghanistan.
NBC reporter Peter Alexander asked Biden Wednesday what might happen to Americans who are in Afghanistan after Aug. 31, the deadline set to remove all troops from the country. Alexander asked the question near the end of a speech regarding cybersecurity.
This month, the Taliban took over Afghanistan with little resistance from the U.S.-backed government installed during nearly two decades of occupation and has demanded the U.S. leave by the Aug. 31 date. Biden had already announced his intention to remove troops from Afghanistan by the 20th anniversary of the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks before the Taliban takeover.
However, his administration did not expect the group to take control the country, especially so fast.
“Mr. President, if Americans are still in Afghanistan after the deadline, what will you do? Sir, what will you do if Americans are still there after the deadline?” Alexander asked.
“You’ll be the first person I’ll call,” said Biden, according to a transcript.
However, since his microphone cut out so was hard to hear at the time what the president’s answer was.
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It is unclear whether the audio was cut on purpose. According to the New York Post, the White House has not responded to an inquiry about the moment.
Regardless, Republican politicians, commentators and organizations have criticized the move and argue that the audio disruption was deliberate.
Critics included Texas Sen. Ted Cruz; Steve Guest, Cruz’ special advisor communications; Republican communications professional Matt Whitlock, U.S. Rep. Ronny Jackson of Texas, the House Republicans and the House Judiciary GOP.
U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken said Wednesday that 82,300 people have been evacuated out of Kabul since Aug. 14, including 19,000 people in a 24-hour period this week. At least 4,500 Americans have been evacuated, he said.
According to Blinken, there were 6,000 Americans in Afghanistan who wanted to leave on Aug. 14. As of Wednesday, another 500 were in the process of being evacuated and the U.S. was working on contacting the 1,000 additional estimated U.S. citizens remaining in the country.