By: Misty Severi
https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/author/misty-severi
A congressman from Oklahoma defended his recent attempt to go to Afghanistan on a rescue mission following the hasty evacuation that ended Tuesday.
Rep. Markwayne Mullin denied that he was being a cowboy with his trip.
>>"I'm not Rambo. I never pretended to be Rambo," Mullin told Fox News 's Bret Baier on Friday. He also admitted the plane never landed in Afghanistan; instead, they were told to turn around. Mullin alleges the decision came from the State Department. It is unclear when he left for Afghanistan and when he returned.
Mullin also said the U.S. ambassador to Tajikistan refused to help him get into Afghanistan.
>>"The ambassador was not helpful at all," he said. "He says, 'I can't assist you. I can't help you. I was told not to."
Mullin's attempted Afghanistan trip came after two other congressmen took a secret trip. Rep. Peter Meijer, a Michigan Republican, and Rep. Seth Moulton, a Massachusetts Democrat, both faced criticism for their venture. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy discouraged any more attempts to visit Afghanistan.
The trip was paid for by Mullin himself, with the help of a few sponsors who were military veterans who wanted someone to go in and get an interpreter out of the country.
Mullin said he has no regrets and would do it again.
>>"Everyone has their way of helping," he said.
https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/news/rambo-congressman-trip-afghanistan