The congressman said “zero” Americans have been able to leave the country since the U.S. military withdrew from Afghanistan less than a week ago because the Taliban are holding them "hostage."
“We have six airplanes at Mazar-i-Sharif airport, six airplanes, with American citizens on them as I speak, also with these interpreters, and the Taliban is holding them hostage for demands right now,” he said on Fox News Sunday morning. “State has cleared these flights, and the Taliban will not let them leave the airport.”
McCaul added that the Taliban “are not clearing the airplanes to depart” and that the people trying to flee have “sat at the airport for the last couple of days,” in part because “the Taliban want something in exchange.”
WATCH: BILL BARR HAS A SENSE OF HUMOR AFTER ALL
His office did not reply to a call for comment concerning his arguments. "As the secretary has said, the Department is prepared to help U.S. citizens, LPRs, and at-risk Afghans to whom we have a special commitment leave the country if they so choose. When it comes to contracts, we promoted the removal and relocation of thousands of these individuals aboard charter aircraft from HKIA during the USMIL-led operation," a state department spokesperson told the Washington Examiner. "We understand the concern that many people are feeling as they try to facilitate further charter and other passage out of Afghanistan."
WATCH: JERRY SEINFELD GIVES US THE REAL REASON BEHIND THE DECLINE OF COMEDY
"However, we do not have personnel on the ground, we do not have air assets in the country, we do not control the airspace — whether over Afghanistan or elsewhere in the region," the spokesperson added. "Given these constraints, we also do not have a reliable means to confirm the basic details of charter flights, including who may be organizing them, the number of U.S. citizens and other priority groups on-board, the accuracy of the rest of the manifest, and where they plan to land, among many other issues."
MUST WATCH: IT'S IMPOSSIBLE TO MAKE THIS UP (FUNNY)
"We will hold the Taliban to its pledge to let people freely depart Afghanistan," the statement continued. "As with all Taliban commitments, we are focused on deeds not words, but we remind the Taliban that the entire international community is focused on whether they live up to their commitments."
WATCH: IT STARTS WITH A FLAG, BUT WHERE DOES IT END?
CBS reporter Eena Ruffini also reported that “multiple flights are being held on the ground” at the airport, adding that the State Department told members of Congress via email that charter flights are still grounded and will have permission to land in Qatar or Doha "if and when the Taliban agrees to takeoff.”
Discover alternative ideas that will make you think
Engage in mind bending debate
Earn points, rise in rank, have fun
