2 Congressmen Pay Surprise Visit to Kabul during Evacuation Efforts

Two members of Congress flew secretly into Kabul airport, on Tuesday, in the middle of the ongoing chaotic evacuation.

Rep. Seth Moulton, and Rep. Peter Meijer, both Iraq War veterans, made a stealth visit to the Hamid Karzai International Airport "to conduct oversight" on the evacuation, their offices said in a statement after they departed Afghanistan.

"The sudden visit made State and Defense Departments furious over the two congressmen, and had to pert resources to provide security and information to the lawmakers," U.S. officials said.

"We conducted this visit secretly, speaking about it only after our departure, to minimize the risk and disruption to the people on the ground, and because we were there to gather information, not to grandstand," the statement said.

"We left on a plane with empty seats, seated in crew-only seats to ensure that nobody who needed a seat would lose one because of our presence," the statement added.

Additionally, the two congress members wanted President Joe Biden to extend his August 31 deadline of withdrawing all U.S. forces from Afghanistan and expressed doubt after their trip that the U.S. would be able to finish the evacuations in time.

"After talking with commanders on the ground and seeing the situation here, it is obvious that because we started the evacuation so late, that no matter what we do, we won't get everyone out on time, even by September 11,” they stated.

On her part, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi issued a statement, taking note of the desire of some legislators to visit Afghanistan.

Pelosi affirmed that ensuring a safe evacuation of inpiduals at risk "requires the full focus and attention of the U.S. military and diplomatic teams on the ground in Afghanistan.”