The FBI arrested an Afghan who was plotting to commit an ISIS attack on the United States. Lawmakers raise alarms over Biden-Harris vetting process after a suspect with ISIS ties is arrested. Concerns grow over post-withdrawal refugee vetting practices. Now lawmakers want security measures to be improved.
FBI Arrest Highlights Vetting Concerns
ISIS has come to America. An Afghan native, Nasir Ahmad Tawhedi, faces charges after being accused of plotting an ISIS-inspired terror attack. The arrest has triggered intense criticism toward the Biden-Harris administration regarding the insufficient vetting mechanisms for Afghan refugees. This development adds fuel to ongoing debates around the administration’s refugee policies following the troop withdrawal from Afghanistan.
Sen. Chuck Grassley, R-Iowa, has been vocal about the administration’s failure to implement rigorous vetting processes for evacuees. He states, “The number one job of our government is to protect its citizens. By hiding behind clerical excuses, refusing to take accountability, and neglecting to address known vulnerabilities in vetting and resettlement processes, the Biden-Harris administration failed to prioritize Americans’ safety and, once again, projected weakness on the global stage.”
"More than three years after the withdrawal from Afghanistan, President Biden and Vice President Harris have yet to hold a single person accountable for this catastrophic failure of epic proportions."
CHM @RepMcCaul testified before @RulesReps in support of his legislation to… pic.twitter.com/FWW5FIc585
— House Foreign Affairs Committee Majority (@HouseForeignGOP) September 23, 2024
Lawmaker Criticisms and Demands for Action
Chairman Mark E. Green of the House Homeland Security Committee has been particularly critical. He remarked on the administration’s lack of transparency and the dangerous implications of these policies: “Unfortunately, our calls for transparency regarding the inadequate vetting and screening following the catastrophic withdrawal from Afghanistan continue to go unanswered and here Americans almost paid the price.”
“For years, lawmakers on both sides of the political aisle in Congress warned the Biden-Harris administration’s bungled withdrawal from Afghanistan weakened security abroad and raised terror risks at home with the inadequate vetting of refugees hurriedly settled into the United States in fall 2021.”
Sen. Ron Johnson expressed concerns this incident might just be “the tip of the iceberg.” Many lawmakers share the sentiment that comprehensive reforms in vetting processes are urgently needed to prevent future incidents and ensure national security.
So far, Biden/Harris administration officials have declined to discuss what was done to vet this person. DHS said in a statement:
"Afghan evacuees who sought to enter the United States were subject to multi layered screening and vetting against intelligence, law enforcement,… https://t.co/PT69suxPA8
— Ken Dilanian (@KenDilanianNBC) October 9, 2024
The Path Forward
Lawmakers demand immediate action to rectify the failings in current procedures. They call for enhanced surveillance, greater accountability, and a more robust focus on protecting American citizens through an overhaul of immigration and vetting practices. The pressure is mounting on the administration to acknowledge these shortcomings and take the necessary steps to secure the homeland from potential terrorist threats.
“We appreciate the efforts of law enforcement in thwarting this alleged terror plot on Election Day, but President Biden and Vice President Harris must reverse course on their misguided policies and put the safety and security of the American people first.”
The arrest of Tawhedi has increased the urgency to address systemic flaws within the vetting system. As investigations continue, the debate over national security and refugee resettlement remains a top priority for lawmakers striving to uphold citizen safety.
