White House press secretary Jen Psaki said Wednesday that U.S. policy is still not to negotiate with terrorists, despite the Biden administration relying heavily on the statements and promises by Taliban leaders to evacuate Americans from Afghanistan.
During her daily press briefing, Psaki was asked by Fox News’ Peter Doocy “Why haven’t we heard the president say, ‘The United States does not negotiate with terrorists?’ Is that still U.S. policy?”
WHITE HOUSE IN CHAOS STRUGGLES TO KEEP BIDEN ON TIME
“Well, of course it is, Peter,” Psaki replied. “But I would also say that there’s a reality that the Taliban is currently controlling large swaths of Afghanistan. That is the reality on the ground, and right now our focus and our priority is getting American citizens evacuated and our Afghan partners evacuated.
https://youtu.be/iqjsO_IUj9s Share on XPsaki was also asked by a different reporter whether the Biden administration had offered the Taliban any cash or supplies in exchange for their cooperation in the U.S. evacuation effort.
“No, this is not a ‘quid pro quo,’” Psaki responded. “We have laid out clearly what our expectations are about moving American citizens and our Afghan partners, allies, out of the country and that’s what we’re working to deliver on.”
Psaki’s comments come as tens of thousands of Americans, allies, Afghans who assisted coalition forces and others who are vulnerable to Taliban violence struggle to flee Afghanistan since the central government collapsed to insurgents on Aug. 15.
