President Joe Biden's administration continues to face backlash for the long-awaited withdrawal of American troops from Afghanistan. Though withdrawal is widely supported for ending the 20 years' worth of war, the Taliban retook the region at a faster pace than officials anticipated, endangering every Afghan who worked with the United States and who resists the Taliban's rule.
For his part, President Joe Biden defended the decision to withdraw, but acknowledged the chaotic unraveling of the region, claiming Afghanistan's defense forces were unwilling to fight to push the Taliban back.
Far-right Congresswoman Lauren Boebert of Colorado slammed Biden on Twitter, invoking his signature "build back better" mantra.
The Taliban are the only people building back better.— Lauren Boebert (@Lauren Boebert) 1629123993
Boebert's attempts to claim the Taliban are now in a stronger position than when the war began ended up seeming like praise for the radical group.
The callous comment generated widespread backlash.
This is a very dumb statement.https://twitter.com/laurenboebert/status/1427275592383205382\u00a0\u2026— Mondaire Jones (@Mondaire Jones) 1629154148
Did I really just read thathttps://twitter.com/laurenboebert/status/1427275592383205382\u00a0\u2026— David Hogg (@David Hogg) 1629206644
Of course I am not surprised by this absurdity & stupidity but DAMN this is next level. https://twitter.com/laurenboebert/status/1427275592383205382\u00a0\u2026— Linda Sarsour (@Linda Sarsour) 1629158241
Can you imagine being a horrible enough human being to tweet something like this?\n\nIf you can, you're a Republican.https://twitter.com/laurenboebert/status/1427275592383205382\u00a0\u2026— John Pavlovitz (@John Pavlovitz) 1629166923
Sometimes even I'm blown away by the stupidity of Lauren Boebert.\n\nToday's one of those days. It's almost as if MAGA completely ignores Trump freeing 5000 Taliban prisoners, including their leader & then inviting them to Camp David 9/11 brunch.\n\nMaybe it's just me? \n\n#DemVoice1https://twitter.com/laurenboebert/status/1427275592383205382\u00a0\u2026— The Jewish Ginger Resister (@The Jewish Ginger Resister) 1629158442
This is a sitting US Congressperson arguing that religious extremists with a history of literal mass murder and sex enslavement are the only people doing constructive things, this is the sort of person making US Law, y'allhttps://twitter.com/laurenboebert/status/1427275592383205382\u00a0\u2026— Shiv Ramdas (@Shiv Ramdas) 1629150153
People also reminded their followers that Boebert embraced the lies and rhetoric that led to the deadly failed insurrection against the United States Capitol, and even tweeted updates on the House Speaker's location as conservative militants laid siege.
After her involvement during the insurrection on January 6th, I\u2019m not surprised by this.pic.twitter.com/pXi5vqPJnN— Gabe Sanchez (@Gabe Sanchez) 1629150329
Wether it\u2019s white supremacists in America or Taliban extremists in Afghanistan\u2014Boebert is consistent in praising terrorists & insurrections.https://twitter.com/laurenboebert/status/1427275592383205382\u00a0\u2026— Qasim Rashid, Esq. (@Qasim Rashid, Esq.) 1629160425
Makes sense. You tried to overthrow the US government so of course you support the overthrow of the Afghan government.https://twitter.com/laurenboebert/status/1427275592383205382\u00a0\u2026— Rep. Eric Swalwell (@Rep. Eric Swalwell) 1629160007
In addition to remaining silent when the Trump administration's secured the release of thousands of imprisoned Taliban members, Boebert also voted against expanding visas for Afghan allies who assisted U.S. troops.