Jeff Mordock

Jen Psaki says no Americans are ‘stranded’ in Afghanistan

White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki on Monday insisted no Americans were "stranded" in Afghanistan during a testy exchange with a Fox News reporter.

August 23, 2021

Jen Psaki says Trump being booed for encouraging vaccines shows strength of skepticism

White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki on Monday offered rare praise for former President Donald Trump, who over the weekend urged his supporters to get vaccinated.

August 23, 2021

Biden seeks to regain footing with administration underwater on Afghanistan

President Biden expressed optimism Sunday about the Afghanistan evacuation as his administration struggled to regain its footing after the chaotic military exit, his confident take coming in stark contrast to falling poll numbers and escalating concerns about his competence and credibility.

August 22, 2021

‘Long way to go’: Biden describes improving situation as Afghanistan evacuations increase

President Biden on Sunday continued to present an optimistic picture of the chaotic evacuations from the Kabul airport in Afghanistan, continuing to contradict news reports and even his own military officials.

August 22, 2021

Biden to meet with G-7 leaders on Afghanistan crisis

President Biden this week will meet virtually with the leaders of other Group of Seven nations to discuss the chaotic evacuation efforts in Afghanistan, White House press secretary Jen Psaki said Sunday.

August 22, 2021

Biden abandons Delaware travel plans for second night amid Afghan chaos

President Biden abandoned plans to travel to his home in Delaware on Saturday amid escalating chaos in Afghanistan. The President was criticized for spending last weekend and part of this week at Camp David while the Taliban seized control of Afghanistan.

August 21, 2021

Biden nominates Rahm Emanuel as ambassador to Japan

President Biden on Friday nominated former Obama-era White House chief of staff and former Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel to serve as ambassador to Japan.

August 20, 2021

GOP pushes back against Biden’s claims of safe passage to Kabul airport

Republican lawmakers on Friday said President Biden's optimistic view on the scramble to evacuate U.S. citizens and vulnerable Afghans from the country don't match reports on the ground.

August 20, 2021

Biden: U.S. has made ‘significant progress’ on Afghanistan evacuations

President Biden on Friday declared that the U.S. has made significant progress" getting citizens and allies out of Afghanistan, as he convening a White House press conference to address the intense criticism he's suffered over the chaos at the Kabul airport.

August 20, 2021

Biden delays weekend at Delaware home, will stay at White House until at least Saturday

President Biden will not return to Delaware on Friday as originally scheduled and will remain at the White House at least through Saturday, according to White House officials.

August 20, 2021

U.N. agency calls for protecting Afghanistan’s cultural heritage after Taliban takeover

The United Nation's cultural agency on Thursday called for increased protection of Afghanistan's cultural sites and relics after the Taliban toppled the country's government.

August 19, 2021

IMF to withhold $460M in funds from Afghanistan after Taliban takeover

The International Monetary Fund on Thursday announced it will block $460 million in funds that were scheduled to be sent to Afghanistan next week.

August 19, 2021

Biden snared in a diplomatic dilemma over Afghanistan’s humanitarian crisis

The diplomatic crisis facing President Biden after the Taliban seized Afghanistan includes tough calls about continuing humanitarian aid to the country, which ranks as one of the poorest countries in the world.

August 19, 2021

Biden, generals offer mixed messages on stranded Americans

In his first media interview since the Taliban took control, President Biden said Wednesday that U.S. forces will stay in Afghanistan until all Americans are safely out, even if it means staying beyond the Aug. 31 deadline for a total withdrawal.

August 18, 2021

Israeli prime minister to visit White House in late August

President Biden will host Israel's Prime Minister Naftali Bennett on Aug. 26, the White House announced Wednesday.

August 18, 2021

Biden spoke to U.K.’s Johnson Tuesday; first call with world leader since fall of Afghan government

President Biden spoke to British Prime Minister Boris Johnson on Tuesday about the upheaval in Afghanistan, which was the president's first call with a foreign leader since the Taliban takeover.

August 17, 2021

Taliban’s conquest of Afghanistan sparks fears for women, girls

The Taliban's rapid conquest of Afghanistan has left women and girls there vulnerable to the regime as stories of rape and forced marriages of girls as young as 15 are already emerging.

August 17, 2021

Biden hasn’t spoken with world leaders since Afghanistan fell

President Biden has yet to speak with world leaders since Afghanistan fell to the Taliban, White House national security adviser Jake Sullivan said Tuesday afternoon.

August 17, 2021

Biden’s national security adviser insists Afghanistan chaos could not be avoided

The chaos and loss of life occurring in Afghanistan were unavoidable, White House national security adviser Jake Sullivan told reporters Tuesday.

August 17, 2021

Biden resumes vacation after Afghanistan speech

President Biden on Monday returned to Camp David, resuming a vacation that was briefly interrupted by a return to the White House to address the nation about the deteriorating conditions in Afghanistan.

August 16, 2021