Trump Wouldn’t Have Allowed Taliban Takeover, Biden ‘Unable To Adjust’: Graham

Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-SC, on Monday argued that former President Donald Trump would not have let the chaos in Afghanistan happen and blasted President Joe Biden for not adjusting to the situation.

During an interview on Fox News’ “America Reports,” the South Carolina Republican slammed President Biden for withdrawing U.S. troops in Afghanistan, comparing him to a “deer in headlights.”

"This is a time for presidential leadership. But the problem with President Biden is he doesn't understand the nature of the war. He's like a deer in the headlights and he's unable to adjust," Graham said, according to Fox News.

The South Carolina Republican also argued that Trump would not have made the decision to withdraw the troops if it led to chaos.

"As much criticism you want to levy against President Trump, he made a decision in Syria to withdraw and he changed his mind when he saw what was going to happen. He had a conditions-based withdrawal in Afghanistan. I'm convinced that President Trump would not have let this happen," he said.

Graham’s comments come after President Biden on Monday afternoon insisted that he made the right decision to withdraw troops as part of an effort to end the nation’s 20-year war.

"I stand squarely behind my decision. After 20 years, I've learned the hard way that there was never a good time to withdraw U.S. forces," Biden said during a speech from the East Room of the White House Monday afternoon, adding that the U.S. military’s mission was always to prevent a terrorist attack on the homeland.

Biden later blamed the Afghan military for not mounting a defense against the Taliban, saying that the country’s leaders did not take the suggestions on how they should prepare to fight their civil wars.

"We gave them every tool they could need. We paid their salaries. Provided for the maintenance of their airplanes," Biden said. "We gave them every chance to determine their own future. What we could not provide was the will to fight for that future."

The Taliban took over the Afghan government on Sunday after the presidential palace was “handed over” to the militants, leading to chaos at Kabul’s airport and roads as thousands of residents attempt to flee the capital city.