On Tuesday, House Republicans demanded the State Department offer an explanation for the “trend” of U.S. embassy closures and staff evacuations during the past few years of the Biden administration.
Oversight Chairman James Comer (R-KY) sent a letter to Secretary of State Antony Blinken requesting a briefing on how the United States can meet its foreign policy objectives with a “diminished diplomatic presence” in “high-threat” countries.
The chairman noted the State Department has been “forced to reduce or suspend operations at several posts across the globe since President Joe Biden took office in January 2021, including in Burma, Afghanistan, Belarus, Russia, Sudan, and Niger.”
🚨BREAKING🚨@RepJamesComer is investigating the Biden Administration’s series of embassy closures and partial evacuations around the world.
Since President Biden took office, the State Department has been forced to reduce or suspend operations at several posts across the… pic.twitter.com/rWuC8pH6ow
— Oversight Committee (@GOPoversight) March 26, 2024
Comer also listed Haiti, where an elite Marine team was deployed to protect the U.S. Embassy in the capital of Port-au-Prince after the military evacuated non-essential personnel as the country descended into chaos.
“Now, the U.S. Embassy in Port-au-Prince, Haiti recently began evacuating some personnel and enhancing security given deteriorating conditions and gang violence close to the compound,” he said.
“These closures and service reductions are leading to a diminished U.S. diplomatic presence abroad,” Comer said. “Closures and reduced service status have serious implications for U.S. citizens residing in those countries, as well as foreign nationals who must travel elsewhere to access consular services.”
Comer said his committee is “also concerned about the repeated necessity of withdrawing U.S. personnel, and whether deteriorating conditions in those countries are the result, even in part, of failed U.S. foreign policy.”
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The chairman said his panel is requesting a briefing from the State Department “on this trend” by April 2.
“Briefers should specifically be prepared to identify and discuss all embassies or consulate posts experiencing closures or reduced services, other high-threat posts not currently in closure or reduced status, actions being taken to secure embassy personnel and assets at these high-threat posts, contingency plans to respond in emergency situations, an assessment of why this trend has occurred, and an assessment of whether this trend will continue,” Comer said.
“Briefers should also be prepared to discuss the impact of closures or reduced service status on national security, the administration and oversight of U.S. foreign assistance, and the Department’s ongoing ability to effectuate U.S. interests abroad,” he added.
The Daily Wire reached out to the State Department seeking comment.
In response, an agency spokesperson said the department does not comment on congressional correspondence as a “general matter.”