Comer Presses State Department on U.S. Embassy Closures Due to Security Concerns

WASHINGTON— House Committee on Oversight and Accountability Chairman James Comer (R-Ky.) is conducting oversight of the Biden Administration’s series of embassy closures and partial evacuations around the world. In a letter to U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken, Chairman Comer requests a briefing on how the U.S. plans to meet foreign policy objectives in areas with closed or reduced-service posts amid heightened security concerns.

“The Committee on Oversight and Accountability is conducting oversight of a series of embassy closures and partial evacuations around the world under the Biden Administration. Since President Biden took office, the U.S. has drawn down, evacuated, or closed posts in several countries as security conditions have deteriorated.” wrote Chairman Comer. “The Committee requests a briefing from the Department, in an appropriate setting, on the underlying causes behind this trend, how the Administration will pursue U.S. foreign policy interests with a diminished diplomatic presence in these and other high-threat countries, and how the Department is ensuring the security of U.S. facilities and personnel abroad in high-threat areas of the world.”

Since President Biden took office, the State Department has been forced to reduce or suspend operations at several posts across the globe. In late March 2021, the Administration ordered the evacuation of non-essential personnel from the U.S. Embassy in Burma in light of escalating unrest triggered by a military coup. In August 2021, amid the disastrous withdrawal of U.S. forces from Afghanistan, and with U.S. citizens remaining in Afghanistan, the U.S. Embassy in Kabul suspended operations. After Russia launched a new invasion of Ukraine, Secretary Blinken announced in February 2022 the suspension of operations at the U.S. Embassy in Minsk, Belarus, and a voluntary departure of non-emergency employees and family members at the U.S. Embassy in Moscow, Russia. In April 2023, the U.S. Embassy in Sudan suspended operations and embassy personnel were evacuated from the country. In August 2023, non-emergency personnel and family members were ordered to depart from the U.S. Embassy in Niamey, Niger after a military coup. Now, the U.S. Embassy in Port-au-Prince, Haiti recently began evacuating some personnel and enhancing security given deteriorating conditions and gang violence close to the compound.  

“These closures and service reductions are leading to a diminished U.S. diplomatic presence abroad. Closures and reduced service status have serious implications for U.S. citizens residing in those countries, as well as foreign nationals who must travel elsewhere to access consular services.” continued Chairman Comer. “The Committee is also concerned about the repeated necessity of withdrawing U.S. personnel, and whether deteriorating conditions in those countries are the result, even in part, of failed U.S. foreign policy. The Committee therefore requests a briefing from the Department on this trend.”

Read the full letter to Secretary Blinken here.