Thread by @edokeefe

AT THE WHITE HOUSE... @POTUS Biden speaks about the “rapid collapse” of the Afghan Govenrment and says the nearly 20-yr Mission had succeeded in “severely degrading” al Qaeda. “Our mission in Afghanistan was never supposed to be nation-building.”

“Today the terrorist threat has metastasized well beyond Afghanistan,” @POTUS Biden says.

Biden said the military’s “over-the-horizon capabilities” will allow the US to react “quickly and decisively,” if needed, to address terrorist threats within Afghanistan.

“The choice I had to make as your president was either to follow through [on Trump’s withdrawal agreement] or return to fighting the Taliban” during the summer fighting season, @POTUS Biden says.

“I stand squarely behind my decision” @POTUS Biden says he’s learned there’s never a good time to pull out of #Afghanistan.

“This did unfold more quickly than we anticipated,” @POTUS Biden says of the situation in #Afghanistan, reiterating he always promised to “be straight with the American people.”

Noting the trillions of dollars spent, Biden says US forces shouldn’t be fighting in a conflict that Afghans aren’t willing to fight themselves.

“We gave them every chance to determine their own future. What we couldn’t not provide them was the will to fight for that future.” -@POTUS Biden says of Afghan military forces

“It is wrong to order American troops to stand up when Afghanistan’s own forces would not.” -@POTUS

“I will not repeat the mistakes we’ve made in the past,” @POTUS Biden says of the military conflict in #Afghanistan.

Now, @POTUS Biden turns to explaining what’s transpired in the last few days — “Our troops are working to secure the airfield” and are taking control of air traffic control. “Out diplomatic presence is now consolidated at the airport.”

Biden says the US will transport out thousands of American personnel and personnel of allies, plus afghans eligible for special immigrant visas. “In the coming days, US military will provide assistance to move more” of them.

Why didn’t the USA evacuate Afghan nationals sooner? @POTUS Biden says many didn’t want to leave yet and Afghan officials didn’t want the exodus to spark a crisis.

Biden says US will defend its personnel with “devastating force,” if needed.

“I’m deeply saddened bu the facts we now face but I do not regret my decision,” @POTUS says again.

The president’s remarks are over. Soon he will return to Camp David. Across from the White House, a few dozen people chant, “Free, free Afghanistan! Save, save Afghanistan!”

“What do we want? Peace! When do we want it? Now!”