Psaki grilled on American citizens still left in Afghanistan

The White House reiterated its promise to assist any Americans to escape Afghanistan if they have not yet left the country.

White House press secretary Jen Psaki was asked by reporters Tuesday why there are still U.S. citizens in Afghanistan. Psaki replied by reiterating a promise made by Secretary of State Tony Blinken that support for Americans seeking to leave Afghanistan would be provided indefinitely.

“Let me just reiterate something that Tony Blinken said back in August, which is that if Americans who are in Afghanistan wanted to leave, whether it was three weeks, a month from now, two months from now – back in August – we would help them get out,” Psaki told reporters Tuesday. “And that is something we have delivered on our word on.”

BIDEN ADMIN ADMITS IT LEFT HUNDREDS MORE US CITIZENS BEHIND IN AFGHANISTAN AFTER CHAOTIC WITHDRAWAL

“I would note that since that time, we have directly assisted 479 American citizens, 450 lawful permanent residents and [Special Immigrant Visas] for holders and SIV applicants,” Psaki continued. 

On Aug. 31, President Biden gave his remarks concerning the end of the War in Afghanistan. At the time, Biden claimed, “100 to 200 Americans remain in Afghanistan with some intention to leave.” The statement continued, “Most of those who remain are dual citizens, longtime residents who had earlier decided to stay because of their family roots in Afghanistan.”

Psaki told reporters Tuesday that the disparity between the amount of stranded citizens mentioned in August versus the much higher amount of people already rescued was due to Americans in Afghanistan changing their mind after the original breakdown of the country. 

“[Biden] receives regular updates from his team and the State Department and other national security…